The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

LEVITICUS 18:7KJV
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Leviticus 18:7 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 18:7 mean?

Leviticus 18:7 commands that a person must not have sexual relations with either their father or their mother, specifically stating that uncovering a parent's nakedness is forbidden. The verse highlights that the mother’s nakedness is the same as the father’s, emphasizing the prohibition against incest within the immediate family.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, giving them laws about sexual conduct as they prepare to live as a distinct community. The phrase "uncover the nakedness" is a way of referring to sexual relations in ancient Hebrew. This law is part of a larger section where God sets boundaries to protect family relationships and uphold social order.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 18:7

  • עֶרְוָה (ervah, "nakedness"): This word often refers to sexual exposure or relations, not just physical nudity. Here, it signals a broader prohibition against sexual acts, not simply seeing someone unclothed.
  • גָּלָה (galah, "uncover"): This verb means to reveal or expose, and in this context, it is a common biblical way to refer to engaging in sexual activity.
  • אֵם (em, "mother") and אָב (av, "father"): The verse uses these words to make clear that both parents are included in the prohibition, underlining the seriousness of incest.

Why Leviticus 18:7 matters

  • Leviticus 18:7 clarifies that incest is not just discouraged but strictly forbidden, setting a clear moral boundary for the Israelites.
  • The verse’s language shows that sexual boundaries within the family are foundational to the holiness code in Leviticus, which aims to separate Israel from the practices of surrounding nations.
  • By linking the mother’s nakedness to the father’s, the law emphasizes the unity of the parents in marriage and the importance of respecting both equally.

Where else these words appear

“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.