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 18:9KJV
Know the Bible

Leviticus 18:9 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“born” Hebrew H4138 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 11:28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
  • Genesis 32:9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:
  • Esther 2:20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

“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.

“sister” Hebrew H269 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Leviticus 18:18 Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.
  • Job 1:4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.