Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman.

LEVITICUS 18:12KJV
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Leviticus 18:12 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 18:12 mean?

Leviticus 18:12 commands that a person must not have sexual relations with their father's sister, explaining that she is a close relative of the father. This law is part of a list of forbidden relationships, emphasizing respect for family boundaries.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, giving them specific instructions about sexual conduct. The context is a larger section where God lays out rules to set Israel apart from other nations, especially regarding family and sexual ethics. The phrase "uncover the nakedness" is a way of describing sexual relations in ancient Hebrew.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 18:12

  • "uncover" (גָּלָה, galah): This word means to reveal or expose, and in this context, it is a common Hebrew way to talk about sexual relations without being explicit.
  • "nakedness" (עֶרְוָה, ervah): This word refers to the state of being unclothed, but in Leviticus, it is often used as a euphemism for sexual activity.
  • "father's" (אָב, av): This simply means "father," but its repetition in the verse highlights the close family connection being addressed.
  • "sister" (אָחוֹת, achot): This word means "sister," and here it specifically refers to the father's sister, or an aunt.
  • "kinswoman" (שְׁאֵר, she'er): This word means "close relative" or "flesh," emphasizing the blood relationship and why the prohibition is given.

Why Leviticus 18:12 matters

  • Leviticus 18:12 clarifies that certain family relationships are off-limits for sexual activity, even if they are not immediate (like a parent or sibling), but extend to aunts and uncles.
  • The verse helps the reader see that the laws in Leviticus are not just about personal morality, but about protecting family structure and community health.
  • This command fits into a broader pattern in Leviticus 18, where God sets out boundaries that make Israel distinct from surrounding cultures, many of which did not have such restrictions.

Where else these words appear

“kinswoman” Hebrew H7607 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 21:10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.
  • Leviticus 25:49 Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself.
  • Proverbs 5:11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

“nakedness” Hebrew H6172 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 9:22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
  • Leviticus 18:14 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.
  • Deuteronomy 24:1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

“sister” Hebrew H269 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Leviticus 18:18 Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.
  • Job 1:4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.