Bible Strands
Leviticus 18:7
You must not expose the nakedness of your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Yahweh addresses the Israelite community through Moses, issuing the first specific application of the preceding prohibition against approaching close relatives. This command functions as an immediate boundary marker for the household structure before the law expands to other kin.
The words — The phrase עֶרְוַת אָבִיךָ ('er.vat 'a.vi.kha) literally renders "the nakedness of your father," coupled with the verb תְגַלֶּה (te.gal.leh) meaning "you will uncover." The text immediately clarifies the subject with אִמְּךָ הִוא ('im.me.kha hi), literally "she is your mother," to leave no ambiguity about the prohibited relationship.
The thread — The concept of uncovering a father's nakedness appears again in Leviticus 20:11 and Ezekiel 22:10 as a technical term for sexual relations with a father's wife. Leviticus 18:8 immediately follows this verse to explicitly name that specific prohibited union and its consequence.
Why it lands — The text demands the absolute prohibition of sexual relations between a son and his mother. It requires the reader to enforce a strict boundary that prevents familial dishonor and preserves the defined roles within the household.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 20:11 If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
- Ezekiel 22:10 In you they have uncovered the nakedness of their fathers; in you they violate women during their menstrual impurity.
- Leviticus 18:8 You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.
- Leviticus 20:14 If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is depraved. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that there will be no depravity among you.