Leviticus 18:16

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother.

American Standard Version (1901)

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

Bible in Basic English

You may not have sex relations with your brother's wife, for she is your brother's.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: because it is the nakedness of thy brother.

Free Bible Version

Don't have sex with your brother's wife and bring shame on your brother.

Geneva Bible 1599

Thou shalt not discouer the shame of thy brothers wife. for it is thy brothers shame.

King James (Authorized) Version

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

One Unity Resource Bible

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness.

Translation for Translators

“Do not have sex with your brother’s wife, because that would disgrace your brother.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Do not sleep with your brother's wife; do not dishonor him in this way.

Noah Webster Bible

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness.

World English Bible

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness.

Young's Literal Translation

'The nakedness of thy brother's wife thou dost not uncover; it [is] thy brother's nakedness.

Context

Unlawful Sexual Relations

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.

Summary

Leviticus 18:16 addresses the prohibition against marrying a brother's wife, highlighting the importance of maintaining proper familial relationships and honoring the sanctity of marriage. This commandment aims to prevent disharmony within the family unit and uphold the integrity of the marital bond. By obeying this law, the Israelites demonstrated their commitment to God's standards of morality and respect for the institution of marriage. This verse underscores the significance of purity, fidelity, and respect in relationships, reflecting God's desire for His people to live in accordance with His divine principles.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Keil-Delitzsch
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Thy brother's wife - This was an illegal marriage, unless the brother died childless. In that case it was not only lawful for her to marry her brother-in-law, but he was obliged by the law, Deu 25:5, to take her to wife.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife,.... Neither debauch her nor after the death of the brother marry her, that is, unless he dies without issue; and then, by another law, he was obliged to marry her, Deu 25:5; hence the Targum of Jonathan adds; by way of explanation."in the life of thy brother, or after his death, if he has children,''but then that law was but an exception from this general rule, and so did not make it void in other respects, but bound it the more strongly; and besides, it was a special and peculiar law to the Jews, until the Messiah came to make it manifest of what tribe and family he came; and the reason of it ceasing, the law itself is ceased, and so neither binding on Jews nor Gentiles: hence John the Baptist boldly told Herod to his face, that it was not lawful for him to have his brother's wife Mat 14:3; and even such marriages were condemned by the very Heathens: Dionysius Halicarnassensis (n) relates, that Lucius Tarquinius, Superbus, his brother being removed by poison, took Tullia to wife, whom his brother Aruntus had before married; but the historian calls it , "an unholy marriage", and abominable both among Greeks and Barbarians: Plutarch also reports (o), that Marcus Crassus married the wife of his deceased brother; but such marriages are condemned by the same writer, as they are by the ancient Christians in their councils and canons (p); now by this same law, if it is not lawful for a man to have his brother's wife, then it is not lawful for her to have her sister's husband; or, in other words, if it is not lawful for a woman to marry two brothers, then it is not lawful for a man to marry two sisters: the case of Jacob will not countenance such a marriage, since he was imposed upon and deceived; and such marriages have also been disapproved of by the Heathens and Christians: Honorius the emperor married two daughters of Stilico, one after another, but the unhappy exit of both sisters showed that those marriages were not approved of by God, for they both died premature deaths, leaving no children (q): it is thy brother's nakedness; that is, his wife is, being by marriage one flesh with him, and his brother being so to him, the relation is too near to intermarry, and more especially when there is issue by the first, which connects them strongly. (n) Hist. l. 4. (o) In Vita M. Crassi. (p) Canon Apostol. can. 19. Concil. Neocaesar. can. 2. (q) Zonaras, l. 3. apud Zanchium de Sponsalibus, l. 4. c. 1. p. 786.

Leviticus 18:16

Unlawful Sexual Relations

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother.

American Standard Version (1901)

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

Bible in Basic English

You may not have sex relations with your brother's wife, for she is your brother's.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: because it is the nakedness of thy brother.

Free Bible Version

Don't have sex with your brother's wife and bring shame on your brother.

Geneva Bible 1599

Thou shalt not discouer the shame of thy brothers wife. for it is thy brothers shame.

King James (Authorized) Version

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

One Unity Resource Bible

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness.

Translation for Translators

“Do not have sex with your brother’s wife, because that would disgrace your brother.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Do not sleep with your brother's wife; do not dishonor him in this way.

Noah Webster Bible

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness.

World English Bible

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness.

Young's Literal Translation

'The nakedness of thy brother's wife thou dost not uncover; it [is] thy brother's nakedness.

Adam Clarke
Keil-Delitzsch
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Leviticus 18:16

Verse

Context

Unlawful Sexual Relations

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Leviticus 18:16

Unlawful Sexual Relations

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes