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

LEVITICUS 18:13KJV
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Leviticus 18:13 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 18:13 mean?

Leviticus 18:13 commands that a person must not have sexual relations with his mother’s sister, because she is a close relative of his mother. The verse sets a clear boundary within family relationships, forbidding sexual contact with an aunt on the mother’s side.

In this chapter, God is giving Moses specific laws to pass on to the Israelites about sexual conduct, especially concerning close family members. The phrase “uncover the nakedness” is a way of describing sexual relations, and the law here is meant to protect the integrity of family relationships and prevent confusion or harm within the household.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 18:13

  • "uncover" (גָּלָה, galah): This word means to reveal or expose, and in this context, it is a common biblical way to refer to sexual relations. The use of this word emphasizes the seriousness of the act as a violation of family boundaries.
  • "nakedness" (עֶרְוָה, ervah): This term refers to the private parts or sexual nakedness, not just physical nudity. It signals that the law is about sexual behavior, not simply about seeing someone unclothed.
  • "kinswoman" (שְׁאֵר, she'er): This word means "close relative" or "flesh," highlighting the closeness of the family tie. The law is not just about avoiding scandal but about respecting the special bond within the family.

Why Leviticus 18:13 matters

  • Leviticus 18:13 clarifies that sexual boundaries in Israelite law extend beyond immediate family to include aunts, showing the importance of protecting wider family relationships.
  • The verse helps prevent misunderstandings about what kinds of relationships are considered too close for marriage or sexual contact in the biblical context.
  • This command fits into a larger section where God is setting Israel apart from surrounding nations by giving them distinct moral and social guidelines, especially regarding family and sexuality.

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.