Leviticus 18:15
Leviticus 18:15 in Multiple Translations
You must not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; you are not to have sexual relations with her.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter-in-law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
Or with your daughter-in-law, for she is your son's wife, and you may not take her.
Don't have sex with your daughter-in-law. She is your son's wife. Don't have sex with her.
Thou shalt not discouer the shame of thy daughter in lawe: for she is thy sonnes wife: therefore shalt thou not vncouer her shame.
'The nakedness of thy daughter-in-law thou dost not uncover; she [is] thy son's wife; thou dost not uncover her nakedness.
“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife. You shall not uncover her nakedness.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter-in-law: she is thy son's wife, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: because she is thy son’s wife, neither shalt thou discover her shame.
“Do not have sex with [DOU] your daughter-in-law, because she is your son’s wife.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 18:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 18:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עֶרְוַ֥ת
כַּלָּֽתְ/ךָ֖
לֹ֣א
תְגַלֵּ֑ה
אֵ֤שֶׁת
בִּנְ/ךָ֙
הִ֔וא
לֹ֥א
תְגַלֶּ֖ה
עֶרְוָתָֽ/הּ
עֶרְוַ֥ת
ʻervâh
H6172
nakedness
N-fs
כַּלָּֽתְ/ךָ֖
kallâh
H3618
daughter-in-law
N-fs | Suff
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תְגַלֵּ֑ה
gâlâh
H1540
to reveal
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
אֵ֤שֶׁת
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
בִּנְ/ךָ֙
bên
H1121
son
N-ms | Suff
הִ֔וא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תְגַלֶּ֖ה
gâlâh
H1540
to reveal
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
עֶרְוָתָֽ/הּ
ʻervâh
H6172
nakedness
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 18:15
עֶרְוַ֥ת
ʻervâh
H6172
"nakedness"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for nakedness, implying shame or exposure. It appears in Genesis 9:22 and Leviticus 18:6, often warning against improper behavior. This concept is also mentioned in Deuteronomy 23:14.
Definition: 1) nakedness, nudity, shame, pudenda 1a) pudenda (implying shameful exposure) 1b) nakedness of a thing, indecency, improper behaviour 1c) exposed, undefended (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: ar.vah (עַרְוָה "dishonor" H6173)
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: nakedness, shame, unclean(-ness). See also: Genesis 9:22; Leviticus 20:11; Isaiah 20:4.
כַּלָּֽתְ/ךָ֖
kallâh
H3618
"daughter-in-law"
N-fs | Suff
In biblical times, this word referred to a bride or daughter-in-law, like Rebekah who became Isaac's bride in Genesis 24:67.
Definition: : bride 1) bride, daughter-in-law 1a) daughter-in-law 1b) bride, young wife Also means: kal.lah (כַּלָּה ": daughter-in-law" H3618H)
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: bride, daughter-in-law, spouse. See also: Genesis 11:31; Song of Solomon 4:10; Isaiah 49:18.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תְגַלֵּ֑ה
gâlâh
H1540
"to reveal"
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to reveal or uncover something, often in a way that's embarrassing or shameful. It can also mean to exile someone, forcing them to leave their home. In some cases, it's used to describe God revealing himself to people.
Definition: : reveal[information] 1) to uncover, remove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to uncover 1a2) to remove, depart 1a3) to go into exile 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) (reflexive) 1b1a) to uncover oneself 1b1b) to discover or show oneself 1b1c) to reveal himself (of God) 1b2) (passive) 1b2a) to be uncovered 1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered 1b2c) to be revealed 1b3) to be removed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to uncover (nakedness) 1c1a) nakedness 1c1b) general 1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare 1c3) to make known, show, reveal 1d) (Pual) to be uncovered 1e) (Hiphil) to carry away into exile, take into exile 1f) (Hophal) to be taken into exile 1g) (Hithpael) 1g1) to be uncovered 1g2) to reveal oneself
Usage: Occurs in 167 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover. See also: Genesis 9:21; Job 38:17; Psalms 18:16.
אֵ֤שֶׁת
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
בִּנְ/ךָ֙
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
הִ֔וא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תְגַלֶּ֖ה
gâlâh
H1540
"to reveal"
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to reveal or uncover something, often in a way that's embarrassing or shameful. It can also mean to exile someone, forcing them to leave their home. In some cases, it's used to describe God revealing himself to people.
Definition: : reveal[information] 1) to uncover, remove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to uncover 1a2) to remove, depart 1a3) to go into exile 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) (reflexive) 1b1a) to uncover oneself 1b1b) to discover or show oneself 1b1c) to reveal himself (of God) 1b2) (passive) 1b2a) to be uncovered 1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered 1b2c) to be revealed 1b3) to be removed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to uncover (nakedness) 1c1a) nakedness 1c1b) general 1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare 1c3) to make known, show, reveal 1d) (Pual) to be uncovered 1e) (Hiphil) to carry away into exile, take into exile 1f) (Hophal) to be taken into exile 1g) (Hithpael) 1g1) to be uncovered 1g2) to reveal oneself
Usage: Occurs in 167 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover. See also: Genesis 9:21; Job 38:17; Psalms 18:16.
עֶרְוָתָֽ/הּ
ʻervâh
H6172
"nakedness"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for nakedness, implying shame or exposure. It appears in Genesis 9:22 and Leviticus 18:6, often warning against improper behavior. This concept is also mentioned in Deuteronomy 23:14.
Definition: 1) nakedness, nudity, shame, pudenda 1a) pudenda (implying shameful exposure) 1b) nakedness of a thing, indecency, improper behaviour 1c) exposed, undefended (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: ar.vah (עַרְוָה "dishonor" H6173)
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: nakedness, shame, unclean(-ness). See also: Genesis 9:22; Leviticus 20:11; Isaiah 20:4.
Study Notes — Leviticus 18:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Unlawful Sexual Relations
13You must not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s close relative.
14You must not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations with her; she is your aunt.
15You must not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; you are not to have sexual relations with her.
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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 20:12 | 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. |
| 2 | Genesis 38:26 | Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Genesis 38:18–19 | “What pledge should I give you?” he asked. She answered, “Your seal and your cord, and the staff in your hand.” So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. Then Tamar got up and departed. And she removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments again. |
Leviticus 18:15 Summary
This verse teaches us that it's not okay for a father-in-law to have a romantic or sexual relationship with his son's wife. This is because it would be a betrayal of the trust and respect that should exist between family members, as seen in other Bible verses like Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:1-4. It's also important to remember that marriage is a special bond between two people, and we should respect and honor that bond, as taught in Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4-6. By following this commandment, we can help maintain healthy and respectful relationships within our families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason behind the prohibition of having sexual relations with one's daughter-in-law?
The reason is to maintain the sanctity of family relationships and to prevent any potential conflict or abuse of power, as seen in other scriptures such as Deuteronomy 22:30 and Ezekiel 22:11.
Is this commandment only applicable to the Israelites, or is it relevant for Christians today?
While this specific commandment was given to the Israelites, the principle of respecting and honoring family relationships is still relevant for Christians today, as taught in Ephesians 5:3 and 1 Thessalonians 4:7.
How does this verse relate to the concept of marriage and family in the Bible?
This verse emphasizes the importance of respecting the marriage bond between a son and his wife, as also taught in Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4-6, and highlights the need to maintain healthy boundaries within family relationships.
What are the consequences of disobeying this commandment?
Disobeying this commandment can lead to familial conflict, emotional trauma, and spiritual damage, as seen in the story of Lot and his daughters in Genesis 19:30-38, and can also result in God's judgment, as warned in Leviticus 18:29 and 20:11-12.
Reflection Questions
- What are some potential consequences of blurring the lines of family relationships, and how can we maintain healthy boundaries in our own families?
- How can we demonstrate respect and honor for our family members, particularly those in positions of authority or vulnerability?
- In what ways can we apply the principle of respecting the marriage bond in our own lives, whether as married individuals or as family members?
- What role does self-control and self-discipline play in maintaining healthy family relationships, and how can we cultivate these qualities in our own lives?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 18:15
Thou shall not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law,.... Shall not he with her in his son's lifetime, or marry her after his death: she [is] that son's wife; and so one flesh with him, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 18:15
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 18:15
Leviticus 18:15 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she [is] thy son’ s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. Ver. 15. Son’ s wife.] Whether he be dead or alive.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 18:15
(15) Thy daughter-in-law.—The legislators in the time of Christ defined this prohibition as applicable not only to cases where marriage between them had actually been consummated, but to cases where the maiden had only been espoused, or when the daughter-in-law had been divorced by the son, or had become a widow. For an offence of this kind both parties were punished with death. (See Leviticus 20:12.) Other nations regarded such alliances with the same abhorrence. (See Koran, 4:27.)
Sermons on Leviticus 18:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Introducing Naomi and Ruth by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith introduces the book of Ruth by exploring the lives of Naomi and Ruth against the backdrop of the moral decay during the time of the Judges in Israel. He emphasizes how |
|
(Genesis) Genesis 38:24-26 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not being concerned with the size of the crowd when preaching the word of God. He believes that if the word of God is given |