1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God.
3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.
4 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I [am] the LORD your God.
5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I [am] the LORD.
6 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover [their] nakedness: I [am] the LORD.
7 The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she [is] thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
8 The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it [is] thy father’s nakedness.
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.
10 The nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, [even] their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs [is] thine own nakedness.
11 The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she [is] thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
12 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she [is] thy father’s near kinswoman.
13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she [is] thy mother’s near kinswoman.
14 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she [is] thine aunt.
15 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she [is] thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
16 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it [is] thy brother’s nakedness.
17 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.
18 Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex [her], to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life [time].
19 Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.
20 Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.
21 And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through [the fire] to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.
22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination.
23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it [is] confusion.
24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit [any] of these abominations; [neither] any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
27 (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which [were] before you, and the land is defiled;)
28 That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that [were] before you.
29 For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit [them] shall be cut off from among their people.
30 Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that [ye] commit not [any one] of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I [am] the LORD your God.
Overview of Leviticus Chapter 18
Leviticus Chapter 18 is a significant passage in the Hebrew Bible that outlines various laws regarding sexual conduct and relationships. The chapter emphasizes the importance of holiness and sets forth prohibitions against certain behaviors that were common in the surrounding cultures. It serves as a guide for the Israelites to maintain their identity and moral standards as God’s chosen people.
Key Themes
- Holiness: The chapter begins with a call for the Israelites to be holy, as God is holy.
- Prohibition of Incest: Specific prohibitions against sexual relations with close relatives are detailed.
- Condemnation of Idolatrous Practices: The chapter warns against practices associated with the worship of foreign gods.
- Sexual Morality: Guidelines are provided to promote sexual morality and discourage practices deemed immoral.
Detailed Analysis
1. Call to Holiness (Verses 1-5)
Leviticus 18 opens with God instructing Moses to speak to the Israelites about their conduct. The emphasis is placed on the need for the Israelites to differentiate themselves from the Egyptians and Canaanites, who practiced various immoral behaviors. The chapter highlights the importance of following God’s statutes and judgments as a means to live righteously.
2. Prohibitions Against Incest (Verses 6-18)
- Close Relatives: The text explicitly lists individuals with whom sexual relations are prohibited, including parents, siblings, and in-laws.
- Consequences: Engaging in these prohibited relationships is deemed a serious offense, with implications for the community’s holiness.
- Preservation of Family Structure: These laws aim to protect the integrity of family units and prevent the breakdown of social order.
3. Condemnation of Idolatrous Practices (Verses 19-23)
The chapter continues by addressing sexual practices that were linked to pagan rituals, including those involving menstruating women and bestiality. The prohibitions serve to distance the Israelites from the practices of surrounding nations and emphasize the sanctity of human relationships.
4. Call for Consequences and Reminders (Verses 24-30)
The concluding verses of the chapter reiterate the consequences of violating these laws. God warns the Israelites that engaging in these practices will lead to defilement of the land, which may result in severe repercussions, including expulsion from the land. The chapter ends with a call to observe these laws to avoid the fate of the nations that have already been judged for their immoral behaviors.
Significance in the Context of the Israelite Community
Leviticus 18 plays a crucial role in shaping the moral and ethical framework of the Israelite community. It serves to:
- Reinforce the identity of the Israelites as a distinct people chosen by God.
- Establish a foundation for sexual ethics that promotes family integrity and societal stability.
- Encourage adherence to God’s commandments as a way to maintain holiness and avoid the pitfalls of surrounding cultures.
Conclusion
In summary, Leviticus Chapter 18 provides a comprehensive set of guidelines that address sexual conduct and moral behavior for the Israelites. The chapter emphasizes the importance of holiness, the preservation of family structures, and the need to distance oneself from the immoral practices of surrounding nations. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of adhering to God’s laws to maintain a covenant relationship with Him.
