Leviticus 18:16 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 18:16 mean?

Leviticus 18:16 commands that a person must not have sexual relations with their brother’s wife, describing this as uncovering the “nakedness” of the brother. The verse treats such an act as a violation of the brother’s own marital relationship and dignity.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, laying out laws about sexual boundaries within families. The instruction is part of a larger section where close family relationships are protected by specific prohibitions, aiming to preserve family honor and social order in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 18:16

• "Uncover" (גָּלָה, galah) means to reveal or expose, especially in a sexual sense here. The word highlights that the act is not just physical but also a breach of privacy and respect.
• "Nakedness" (עֶרְוָה, ervah) refers to sexual exposure or relations, often used in Leviticus to mark forbidden sexual acts. The phrase “your brother’s nakedness” ties the act directly to the brother, not just the wife, emphasizing the relational violation.
• "Brother’s" (אָח, ach) and "wife" (אִשָּׁה, ishah) clarify that the law is about a man’s relationship to his brother and his brother’s spouse, not just any woman.

Why Leviticus 18:16 matters

• This verse clarifies that sexual boundaries in family relationships were taken very seriously in ancient Israel, with specific rules to prevent family conflict and dishonor.
• The wording shows that marrying or having relations with a brother’s wife was seen as an offense against the brother himself, not just the woman or the broader community.
• By placing this command among other laws about sexual conduct, Leviticus 18:16 helps set the tone for how the Israelites were to think about marriage, loyalty, and respect within families.