Leviticus 18:8

8 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.

Leviticus 18:8 in Other Translations

8 The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.

8 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness.

8 “Do not have sexual relations with any of your father’s wives, for this would violate your father.

8 "Don't have sex with your father's wife. That violates your father.

8 The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.

8 Never have sexual intercourse with your stepmother. She is related to you through your father.

8 You are not to have sex with your father's wife; it will shame your father.

8 " 'Do not have sex with any other wife of your father. That would bring shame on your father.

Leviticus 18:8 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 18:8

The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover
That is, who is indeed a man's father's wife, but not his own mother, but a stepmother or mother-in-law; or otherwise this law would coincide with the former; a man lying with such an one is accursed by the law, ( Deuteronomy 27:23 ) ; such an incestuous copulation was that of Reuben with Bilhah, and Absalom with his father's concubines or secondary wives, and such an incestuous marriage was that of the Corinthians, ( 1 Corinthians 5:1 ) ; and of Antiochus Soter, king of Syria, with Stratonice his mother-in-law {c}: and even it was criminal to do this after a father's death, as Jarchi interprets it; and though she was only betrothed, and not married, and the father dead after such betrothing; as Gersom; nay, though she was divorced by the father, yet was not lawful for the son to have, no, not after his death: it is thy father's nakedness;
being espoused to him, and so one flesh with him; and the son and father being one flesh, such a mixture must be unlawful; and since then the nakedness of a mother-in-law is the father's, then surely that of an own mother's must be so likewise, which confirms a sense given of it in ( Leviticus 18:7 ) : Cicero ^F4 exclaims against such marriages as incredible and unheard of, as instances of unbridled lust and singular impudence.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 Vid. Julian. in Misopogon, p. 72
F4 Orat. 14. pro A. Cluentio Avito.

Leviticus 18:8 In-Context

6 “ ‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.

7 “ ‘Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.

8 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.

9 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.

10 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Corinthians 5:1
• 2. Genesis 35:22; Leviticus 20:11; Deuteronomy 22:30; Deuteronomy 27:20