Leviticus 20:17
New International Version
“’If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They are to be publicly removed from their people. He has dishonored his sister and will be held responsible.

New Living Translation
“If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a shameful disgrace. They must be publicly cut off from the community. Since the man has violated his sister, he will be punished for his sin.

English Standard Version
“If a man takes his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace, and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness, and he shall bear his iniquity.

Berean Standard Bible
If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity.

King James Bible
And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

New King James Version
‘If a man takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, and sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a wicked thing. And they shall be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness. He shall bear his guilt.

New American Standard Bible
‘If there is a man who takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt.

NASB 1995
If there is a man who takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt.

NASB 1977
‘If there is a man who takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt.

Legacy Standard Bible
‘If there is a man who takes his sister, his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt.

Amplified Bible
‘If a man takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears [responsibility for] his guilt.

Christian Standard Bible
If a man marries his sister, whether his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They are to be cut off publicly from their people. He has had sexual intercourse with his sister; he will bear his iniquity.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If a man marries his sister, whether his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off publicly from their people. He has had sexual intercourse with his sister; he will bear his punishment.

American Standard Version
And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

Contemporary English Version
If you marry one of your sisters, you will be punished, and the two of you will be disgraced by being openly forced out of the community.

English Revised Version
And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever takes his sister, his father's daughter or his mother's daughter and has sexual intercourse does a shameful thing. They both must be publicly excluded from the people. He has had sexual intercourse with his sister and must be punished.

Good News Translation
If a man marries his sister or half sister, they shall be publicly disgraced and driven out of the community. He has had intercourse with his sister and must suffer the consequences.

International Standard Version
"If a man takes his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, so that he exposes her nakedness and she exposes his nakedness, it's a shameful thing. They are to be eliminated from contact with their people in front of their people's children. He has exposed his sister's nakedness. He'll continue to bear responsibility for his iniquity.

Majority Standard Bible
If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity.

NET Bible
"'If a man has sexual intercourse with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or his mother, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has exposed his sister's nakedness; he will bear his punishment for iniquity.

New Heart English Bible
"'If a man takes his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness; it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people: he has uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

World English Bible
“‘If a man takes his sister—his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter—and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a shameful thing. They shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness. He shall bear his iniquity.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And a man who takes his sister, a daughter of his father or daughter of his mother, and he has seen her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness—it is a shame; and they have been cut off before the eyes of the sons of their people; he has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he bears his iniquity.

Young's Literal Translation
'And a man who taketh his sister, a daughter of his father or daughter of his mother, and he hath seen her nakedness, and she seeth his nakedness: it is a shame; and they have been cut off before the eyes of the sons of their people; the nakedness of his sister he hath uncovered; his iniquity he beareth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And a man who shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and he saw her nakedness, and she shall see his nakedness; it is a reproach; and they were cut off in the eyes of the sons of their people; he uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If any man take his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother, and see her nakedness, and she behold her brother's shame: they have committed a crime: they shall be slain, in the sight of their people, because they have discovered one another's nakedness, and they shall bear their iniquity.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever will have taken his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother, and will have seen her nakedness, and she will have looked upon her brother’s shame, they have committed a nefarious act. They shall be slain in the sight of their people, because they have uncovered one another’s nakedness. And they shall bear their iniquity.

New American Bible
If a man marries his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, and they have intercourse with each other, that is disgraceful; they shall be publicly cut off from the people; the man shall bear the penalty of having had intercourse with his own sister.

New Revised Standard Version
If a man takes his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace, and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people; he has uncovered his sister’s nakedness, he shall be subject to punishment.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter or his mother's daughter, and be intimate with her and she be intimate with him, it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people; he has uncovered his sister's nakedness; they shall suffer for their iniquity.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a man who takes his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother and will look at her nakedness, also she will see his nakedness, it is a reproach; they shall be deprived of the children of their people; he has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; they shall bear their evil.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness: it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Whosoever shall take his sister by his father or by his mother, and shall see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness, it is a reproach: they shall be destroyed before the children of their family; he has uncovered his sister's nakedness, they shall bear their sin.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Punishments for Sexual Immorality
16If a woman approaches any animal to mate with it, you must kill both the woman and the animal. They must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. 17If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity. 18If a man lies with a menstruating woman and has sexual relations with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has uncovered the source of her blood. Both of them must be cut off from among their people.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 27:22
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

2 Samuel 13:11-14
And when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said, “Come lie with me, my sister!” / “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.” ...

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.

Genesis 19:30-36
Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains—for he was afraid to stay in Zoar—where they lived in a cave. / One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man in the land to sleep with us, as is the custom over all the earth. / Come, let us get our father drunk with wine so we can sleep with him and preserve his line.” ...

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.

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;

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

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.

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.

Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Mark 7:21-23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”


Treasury of Scripture

And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he has uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

Leviticus 18:9
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.

Genesis 20:12
And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

Deuteronomy 27:22
Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

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Bear Children Cut Daughter Disgrace Father's Iniquity Mother's Nakedness Shameful Sight Sister Sister's Uncovered Wicked
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Bear Children Cut Daughter Disgrace Father's Iniquity Mother's Nakedness Shameful Sight Sister Sister's Uncovered Wicked
Leviticus 20
1. Of him who gives his seed to Moloch
4. Of him who favors such an one
6. Of going to wizards
7. Of sanctification
9. Of him who curses his parents
11. Of incest
13. Of sodomy
15. Of bestiality
18. Of uncleanness
22. Obedience is required with holiness
27. Wizards must be put to death














If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother
This phrase addresses the prohibition against incestuous relationships, specifically between siblings. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such unions were often seen as taboo and were prohibited in Israelite law to maintain the sanctity and purity of the family unit. The reference to "the daughter of his father or of his mother" clarifies that this law applies to both full and half-siblings, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clear boundaries within familial relationships. This commandment reflects the broader biblical principle of holiness and separation from the practices of surrounding nations, which often included various forms of sexual immorality.

and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace
The term "disgrace" indicates a severe moral and social violation. In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, maintaining family honor and purity was paramount. Sexual relations between siblings were seen as a violation of God's created order and an affront to the community's moral standards. This disgrace is not only a personal sin but also a communal concern, as it affects the integrity of the entire community. The biblical narrative consistently upholds sexual purity as a reflection of God's holiness, as seen in other passages like 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, which calls believers to flee from sexual immorality.

They must be cut off in the sight of their people
"Cut off" is a term often interpreted as excommunication or even death, depending on the severity of the offense and the context. This punishment underscores the seriousness with which God views the violation of His laws. Being "cut off" serves both as a deterrent to others and as a means of preserving the holiness of the community. The phrase "in the sight of their people" suggests a public acknowledgment of the sin and its consequences, reinforcing the communal aspect of maintaining holiness and obedience to God's commandments.

He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister
This phrase uses the euphemism "uncovered the nakedness" to describe sexual relations, a common expression in Levitical law. It highlights the violation of personal and familial boundaries, as nakedness was associated with vulnerability and shame outside the context of marriage. The uncovering of nakedness within the family is a direct violation of the order established by God in creation, where marriage is intended to be between a man and a woman who are not closely related. This concept is further explored in Genesis 2:24, where the institution of marriage is defined.

he shall bear his iniquity
The phrase "bear his iniquity" indicates personal responsibility and accountability for one's actions. In the biblical context, iniquity refers to a deep moral failing or sin that separates individuals from God. Bearing one's iniquity implies facing the consequences of sin, both in terms of divine judgment and social repercussions. This principle is consistent throughout Scripture, as seen in passages like Ezekiel 18:20, which emphasizes individual responsibility for sin. The call to bear one's iniquity also points to the need for repentance and the hope of redemption, ultimately fulfilled in the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, who bore the iniquities of humanity on the cross (Isaiah 53:5-6).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
- The author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites.

2. Israelites
- The people to whom the laws in Leviticus were given, forming the covenant community of God.

3. Canaan
- The land where the Israelites were headed, which had practices that God wanted them to avoid, including incestuous relationships.

4. God
- The divine lawgiver who establishes moral and ceremonial laws for His people.

5. The Promised Land
- The destination of the Israelites, where they were to live as a holy nation distinct from surrounding peoples.
Teaching Points
Holiness and Distinction
God calls His people to be distinct from the surrounding cultures. This includes maintaining purity in familial relationships.

The Seriousness of Sin
The command to "bear his iniquity" highlights the gravity of sin and its consequences. Sin is not just a personal issue but affects the community.

Respect for Family Boundaries
God's laws establish clear boundaries to protect the sanctity of family relationships, which are foundational to societal stability.

Community Accountability
The requirement to be "cut off in the sight of their people" underscores the role of community in upholding God's standards.

Redemption and Forgiveness
While the law highlights sin, the New Testament offers redemption through Christ, who forgives and restores those who repent.(17) Take his sister.--See Leviticus 18:9.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If a man
וְאִ֣ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

marries
יִקַּ֣ח (yiq·qaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

his sister,
אֲחֹת֡וֹ (’ă·ḥō·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

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

of his father
אָבִ֣יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

or
א֣וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

his mother,
אִ֠מּוֹ (’im·mōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

and they have sexual relations,
וְרָאָ֨ה (wə·rā·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

it
ה֔וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is a disgrace.
חֶ֣סֶד (ḥe·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

They must be cut off
וְנִ֨כְרְת֔וּ (wə·niḵ·rə·ṯū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

in the sight
לְעֵינֵ֖י (lə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

their people.
עַמָּ֑ם (‘am·mām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

He has uncovered
גִּלָּ֖ה (gil·lāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal

the nakedness
עֶרְוַ֧ת (‘er·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6172: Nakedness

of his sister;
אֲחֹת֛וֹ (’ă·ḥō·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

he shall bear
יִשָּֽׂא׃ (yiś·śā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

his iniquity.
עֲוֺנ֥וֹ (‘ă·wō·nōw)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity


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OT Law: Leviticus 20:17 If a man takes his sister his (Le Lv Lev.)
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