Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.

LEVITICUS 18:19KJV
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Leviticus 18:19 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 18:19 mean?

Leviticus 18:19 forbids sexual relations with a woman during her menstrual period. The KJV describes that time as being “put apart for her uncleanness,” using language from Israel’s laws about bodily conditions and worship.

God gives this instruction to Moses for the Israelites. The phrase “uncover her nakedness” is a discreet way of referring to sexual relations; in this verse, the restriction is tied to a particular time.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 18:19

  • “nakedness” — עֶרְוָה (ʿervah): The word can mean nakedness or exposed private parts. In the phrase “uncover her nakedness,” it points to sexual relations rather than merely seeing someone without clothes.
  • “apart” — נִדָּה (niddah): The word can refer to a woman’s menstrual condition and the separation associated with it. It helps identify the particular condition behind the KJV phrase “put apart.”

Why Leviticus 18:19 matters

  • The restriction has a time limit. The words “as long as” connect it to the woman’s period of menstrual uncleanness.
  • “Uncleanness” here refers to a condition in Israel’s law, not simply to dirt. Leviticus 15:19–24 describes a woman’s monthly flow and gives rules connected with that condition.
  • The verse stands among several restrictions on sexual relations, but it is not limited by family relationship. Unlike the family relationships listed earlier in Leviticus 18, the condition named here is the woman’s menstrual period.

Where else these words appear

“apart” Hebrew H5079 · used in 24 verses

  • Leviticus 12:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
  • Leviticus 15:33 And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.
  • Ezra 9:11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.

“uncleanness” Hebrew H2932 · used in 31 verses

  • Leviticus 5:3 Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty.
  • Leviticus 16:19 And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.
  • Ezra 9:11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.

“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.