Leviticus 18:17 You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter and have sexual relations with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved.

Bible > Leviticus > Chapter 18 > Verse 17

◄ Leviticus 18:17 ►

New International Version
“’Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.

New Living Translation
“Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. And do not take her granddaughter, whether her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter, and have sexual relations with her. They are close relatives, and this would be a wicked act.

English Standard Version
You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and of her daughter, and you shall not take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter to uncover her nakedness; they are relatives; it is depravity.

Berean Standard Bible
You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter and have sexual relations with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved.

King James Bible
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.

New King James Version
You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, nor shall you take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness. They are near of kin to her. It is wickedness.

New American Standard Bible
You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and of her daughter, nor shall you take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are blood relatives. It is an outrageous sin.

NASB 1995
‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and of her daughter, nor shall you take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are blood relatives. It is lewdness.

NASB 1977
‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and of her daughter, nor shall you take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are blood relatives. It is lewdness.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and of her daughter, nor shall you take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are blood relatives. It is lewdness.

Amplified Bible
You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, nor shall you take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter to uncover their nakedness (have intimate relations with them); they are [her] blood relatives; it is an outrageous offense.

Christian Standard Bible
You are not to have sexual intercourse with a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter and have sex with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You are not to have sexual intercourse with a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter and have sex with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved.

American Standard Version
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; thou shalt not take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness.

Contemporary English Version
And don't have sex with the daughter or granddaughter of any woman that you have earlier had sex with. You will be having sex with her closest relatives, and that would make you unclean.

English Revised Version
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; thou shalt not take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Never have sexual intercourse with a woman and her daughter or a woman and her granddaughter. They are related. Doing this is perverted.

Good News Translation
Do not have intercourse with the daughter or granddaughter of a woman with whom you have had intercourse; they may be related to you, and that would be incest.

International Standard Version
"You are not to have sexual relations with a woman and her daughter. "You are not to have sexual relations with her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter. They're near blood relatives. It's wickedness.

Majority Standard Bible
You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter and have sexual relations with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved.

NET Bible
You must not have sexual intercourse with both a woman and her daughter; you must not take as wife either her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter to have intercourse with them. They are closely related to her--it is lewdness.

New Heart English Bible
"'You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.

World English Bible
“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness. They are near kinswomen. It is wickedness.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
You do not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, nor do you take her son’s daughter and her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they [are] her relations; it [is] wickedness.

Young's Literal Translation
The nakedness of a woman and her daughter thou dost not uncover; her son's daughter, and her daughter's daughter thou dost not take to uncover her nakedness; they are her relations; it is wickedness.

Smith's Literal Translation
The nakedness of a woman and her daughter thou shalt not uncover; her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, thou shalt not take to uncover her nakedness; they are her remainder; it is wickedness.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy wife and her daughter. Thou shalt not take her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter, to discover her shame: because they are her flesh, and such copulation is incest.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall not uncover the nakedness of your wife and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter, so as to uncover her dishonor; for they are her flesh, and such sexual intercourse is incest.

New American Bible
You shall not have intercourse with a woman and also with her daughter, nor shall you marry and have intercourse with her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are related to her. This would be shameful.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, and you shall not take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter to uncover her nakedness; they are your flesh; it is depravity.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
You shall not approach a woman and her daughter; neither shall you take her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter to uncover nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen; it is wickedness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The nakedness of a woman and her daughter do not expose, nor of the daughter of her son, nor of the daughter of her daughter; do not come near to expose their nakedness; they are close relatives and it is evil.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; thou shalt not take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness: they are near kinswomen; it is lewdness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The nakedness of a woman and her daughter shalt thou not uncover; her son's daughter, and her daughter's daughter, shalt thou not take, to uncover their nakedness, for they are thy kinswomen: it is impiety.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Unlawful Sexual Relations
…16You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother. 17You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter and have sexual relations with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved. 18You must not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is still alive.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 27:23
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

Ezekiel 22:11
One man commits an abomination with his neighbor’s wife; another wickedly defiles his daughter-in-law; and yet another violates his sister, his own father’s daughter.

1 Corinthians 5:1
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.

Leviticus 20:14
If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is depraved. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that there will be no depravity among you.

Leviticus 20:11-12
If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. / If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both must surely be put to death. They have acted perversely; their blood is upon them.

Deuteronomy 22:30
A man is not to marry his father’s wife, so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed.

2 Samuel 13:12-14
“No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not violate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! / Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” / But Amnon refused to listen to her, and being stronger, he violated her and lay with her.

1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Romans 1:26-27
For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. / Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

Galatians 5:19
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;

Ephesians 5:3
But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.

Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

1 Timothy 1:9-10
We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, / for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

Treasury of Scripture

You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shall you take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.

a woman

Leviticus 20:14
And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.

Deuteronomy 27:23
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Amos 2:7
That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name:

it is wickedness

Leviticus 20:14
And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.

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Leviticus 18

1. Unlawful marriages and unlawful lusts

Berean Study Bible

You must not have sexual relations
This phrase sets a clear prohibition against certain sexual behaviors. The Hebrew root for "sexual relations" is "גלה ערוה" (galah ervah), which literally means "to uncover nakedness." This expression is a euphemism for sexual intercourse and is used throughout Leviticus to denote illicit sexual acts. The command is direct and unequivocal, emphasizing the sanctity and boundaries of sexual relations as ordained by God. In the historical context, these laws were given to the Israelites to distinguish them from the surrounding nations, which often engaged in such practices.

with both a woman and her daughter
This phrase highlights a specific familial relationship that is forbidden. The Hebrew culture placed a strong emphasis on family purity and integrity. Engaging in sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter would violate the natural order and respect within a family unit. This prohibition underscores the importance of maintaining clear boundaries to preserve the sanctity of family relationships, which are foundational to societal stability.

You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter
The phrase extends the prohibition to include a woman's granddaughters, whether through her son or daughter. The Hebrew word for "marry" here is "לקח" (laqach), which means "to take" or "to seize," indicating a formal union or relationship. This further emphasizes the importance of maintaining generational boundaries and preventing any form of incestuous relationships that could lead to moral and social decay.

and have sexual relations with her
Reiterating the prohibition, this phrase reinforces the seriousness of the command. The repetition serves as a strong reminder of the consequences of such actions, which are considered an abomination. The emphasis on "with her" personalizes the command, reminding the Israelites of the individual dignity and respect owed to each person.

They are close relatives
This phrase identifies the individuals involved as "close relatives," or "שאר בשר" (she'er basar) in Hebrew, meaning "flesh of one's flesh." This expression highlights the intimate and sacred nature of family ties, which are not to be violated. The closeness of these relationships is meant to foster love, support, and protection, not exploitation or abuse.

it is wickedness
The term "wickedness" is translated from the Hebrew word "זִמָּה" (zimmah), which denotes a heinous crime or moral depravity. This strong language reflects God's view of such actions as not merely inappropriate but profoundly sinful. The use of "wickedness" serves as a moral warning to the Israelites, urging them to uphold God's standards of holiness and righteousness in their personal and communal lives.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) A woman and her daughter.--That is, if a man marries a widow who has a daughter by a former husband, or if he forms an alliance with a woman who has a daughter out of wedlock, he is forbidden to marry also the daughter. But though this prohibition is directed against a peculiar form of polygamy. there can hardly be any doubt that, as the administrators of the law during the second Temple interpreted it, if he married either of them and she died, he could not marry the other any more, and that this prohibition did not apply to cases of illicit commerce. Criminal intercourse with one did not preclude him from marrying the other. For contracting the kind of polygamy here forbidden, the offenders were punished with death by fire. (See Leviticus 20:14.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - The ninth form of incest prohibited is intercourse with a stepdaughter, or step-granddaughter, or mother-in-law. The expression made use of, Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, covers the case of a man's own daughter, and it is singular that it is only in this incidental manner that it is specifically named. But it has been already disposed of by the general command, None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness. The daughter being nearest of kin, this command was sufficient without further specification. The niece and probably the wife's sister are forbidden by the same general rule (see following note).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

You must not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

have sexual relations with both
עֶרְוַ֥ת (‘er·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6172: Nakedness

a woman
אִשָּׁ֛ה (’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

and her daughter.
וּבִתָּ֖הּ (ū·ḇit·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1323: A daughter

You are not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to marry
תִקַּח֙ (ṯiq·qaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

her son’s
בְּנָ֞הּ (bə·nāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

or her daughter’s
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

daughter
בִּתָּ֗הּ (bit·tāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1323: A daughter

and have sexual relations with
לְגַלּ֣וֹת (lə·ḡal·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal

her.
עֶרְוָתָ֔הּ (‘er·wā·ṯāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6172: Nakedness

They
הֵ֖נָּה (hên·nāh)
Pronoun - third person feminine plural
Strong's 2007: Themselves

are close relatives;
שַׁאֲרָ֥ה (ša·’ă·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7608: Female kindred by blood

it
הִֽוא‪‬ (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is depraved.
זִמָּ֥ה (zim·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2154: A plan, device, wickedness

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OT Law: Leviticus 18:17 You shall not uncover the nakedness (Le Lv Lev.)