Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son's wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

LEVITICUS 18:15KJV
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Leviticus 18:15 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 18:15 mean?

Leviticus 18:15 forbids a man from having sexual relations with his daughter-in-law, making clear that this is not allowed because she is married to his son. The verse repeats the command for emphasis, stating twice that her "nakedness" should not be uncovered.

In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions to pass on to the Israelites about sexual boundaries within families. The phrase "uncover the nakedness" is a common way in Leviticus to refer to sexual relations. The law is meant to protect family relationships and prevent confusion or harm within the household, especially as part of a larger list of forbidden relationships in this chapter.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 18:15

  • "uncover" (גָּלָה, galah): This word means to reveal or expose, and in this context, it refers specifically to sexual relations. The repetition in the verse underlines the seriousness of the prohibition.
  • "nakedness" (עֶרְוָה, ervah): This term is often used in Leviticus to mean sexual intimacy or exposure. Here, it emphasizes that the relationship is not just about physical exposure but about prohibited sexual acts.
  • "law" (כַּלָּה, kallah): This word means "daughter-in-law." Its use here makes the specific relationship being addressed unmistakably clear.
  • "son's" (בֵּן, ben): The verse clarifies that the woman in question is the wife of the man's son, highlighting the family connection.
  • "wife" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): This word simply means "wife" and is used to specify that the daughter-in-law is married to the son, not just any woman.

Why Leviticus 18:15 matters

  • Leviticus 18:15 clarifies that sexual boundaries in Israelite law extend beyond immediate blood relatives to include in-laws, protecting the integrity of the family unit.
  • The verse is part of a broader list of forbidden relationships, showing that the law is concerned with both moral order and social stability in the community.
  • By repeating the command, the verse highlights the seriousness with which these boundaries are to be observed, leaving no room for ambiguity about what is forbidden.

Where else these words appear

“law” Hebrew H3618 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 11:31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
  • Ruth 4:15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
  • Isaiah 62:5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

“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 18:13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman.
  • 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.