The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.
LEVITICUS 18:9KJVWhat does Leviticus 18:9 mean?
Leviticus 18:9 commands that a person must not have sexual relations with his sister, whether she is the daughter of his father or his mother, regardless of whether she was born in the same household or elsewhere. The verse makes clear that uncovering the "nakedness" of one's sister is forbidden.
In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, giving specific instructions about sexual boundaries within families. The command is part of a larger section where God lays out laws to set Israel apart from the practices of other nations, especially regarding family and sexual ethics.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 18:9
- "nakedness" (עֶרְוָה, ‘ervah): This word refers to sexual exposure or relations, not just simple nudity. Its use here signals a prohibition against incestuous relationships.
- "sister" (אָחוֹת, ‘achot): This term includes both full and half-sisters, which is why the verse specifies daughters of either parent.
- "born" (מוֹלֶדֶת, moledet) and "home" (בַּיִת, bayit) / "abroad" (חוּץ, chutz): These words clarify that the prohibition applies no matter where the sister was born or raised, closing any loopholes based on family arrangements.
Why Leviticus 18:9 matters
- The verse removes ambiguity by including sisters from both parents and from any place of birth, showing the law’s thoroughness and intent to prevent rationalizing incest.
- Leviticus 18:9 is part of a broader list of forbidden relationships, emphasizing the importance of family boundaries in Israelite society.
- Understanding the specific Hebrew terms helps clarify that the command is about sexual relations, not simply seeing someone unclothed, which can clear up common misunderstandings.