Bible Strands
Leviticus 18:14
You must not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations with her; she is your aunt.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God speaks through Moses to the Israelites on the eve of entering Canaan, establishing boundaries for communal holiness. The instruction specifically addresses male readers regarding their paternal aunt.
The words — The text pairs תְגַלֵּ֑ה (te.galeh), meaning "you will uncover," with עֶרְוַ֥ת ('erwat), meaning "the nakedness of." This compound phrase functions as a technical term for the prohibited act of approaching the uncle's wife.
The thread — The prohibition against uncovering the nakedness of an uncle's wife reappears in Leviticus 20:20, which adds that both participants will bear their sin. The verse sits directly between Leviticus 18:13 and 18:15, continuing a sequential list of kinship restrictions.
Why it lands — The text commands readers to refrain from sexual relations with their father's brother's wife, explicitly identifying her as their aunt. It requires strict adherence to defined family boundaries without exception.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 20:20 If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered the nakedness of his uncle. They will bear their sin; they shall die childless.