Leviticus 20:12 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 20:12 mean?

Leviticus 20:12 states that if a man has sexual relations with his daughter-in-law, both must be put to death because they have committed a serious violation that brings confusion or disorder. The verse emphasizes that the responsibility for this act and its consequences falls on both individuals involved.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, laying out specific laws about sexual conduct within family relationships. The focus is on protecting family boundaries and community order, with strong language to show the seriousness of this kind of relationship. The phrase "they have wrought confusion" points to the idea that such actions disrupt the intended structure and harmony of family life.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 20:12

• "man" (אִישׁ, ish): Refers to an adult male, highlighting personal responsibility in the law.
• "lie" (שָׁכַב, shakav): Means to have sexual relations, making clear the physical act being addressed.
• "law" (כַּלָּה, kallah): Specifically means "daughter-in-law," showing the relationship at issue is not just any woman, but a specific family connection.
• "confusion" (תֶּבֶל, tevel): Often understood as "perversion" or "mixing up," this word stresses that the act disrupts the proper order and boundaries within the family.

Why Leviticus 20:12 matters

• This verse clarifies that both parties in the forbidden relationship are held equally responsible, not just one or the other.
• The use of "confusion" (תֶּבֶל, tevel) highlights that the law is not just about individual morality but about maintaining the social and family order that was central to Israelite life.
• Leviticus 20:12 fits into a wider section where God sets out boundaries for sexual relationships, showing how these laws were meant to guard the community from practices seen as destructive or disorderly.