Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “’If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They are to be publicly removed from their people. He has dishonored his sister and will be held responsible. New Living Translation “If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a shameful disgrace. They must be publicly cut off from the community. Since the man has violated his sister, he will be punished for his sin. English Standard Version “If a man takes his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace, and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness, and he shall bear his iniquity. Berean Standard Bible If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity. King James Bible And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. New King James Version ‘If a man takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, and sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a wicked thing. And they shall be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness. He shall bear his guilt. New American Standard Bible ‘If there is a man who takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt. NASB 1995 If there is a man who takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt. NASB 1977 ‘If there is a man who takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt. Legacy Standard Bible ‘If there is a man who takes his sister, his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt. Amplified Bible ‘If a man takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears [responsibility for] his guilt. Christian Standard Bible If a man marries his sister, whether his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They are to be cut off publicly from their people. He has had sexual intercourse with his sister; he will bear his iniquity. Holman Christian Standard Bible If a man marries his sister, whether his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off publicly from their people. He has had sexual intercourse with his sister; he will bear his punishment. American Standard Version And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. Contemporary English Version If you marry one of your sisters, you will be punished, and the two of you will be disgraced by being openly forced out of the community. English Revised Version And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. GOD'S WORD® Translation Whoever takes his sister, his father's daughter or his mother's daughter and has sexual intercourse does a shameful thing. They both must be publicly excluded from the people. He has had sexual intercourse with his sister and must be punished. Good News Translation If a man marries his sister or half sister, they shall be publicly disgraced and driven out of the community. He has had intercourse with his sister and must suffer the consequences. International Standard Version "If a man takes his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, so that he exposes her nakedness and she exposes his nakedness, it's a shameful thing. They are to be eliminated from contact with their people in front of their people's children. He has exposed his sister's nakedness. He'll continue to bear responsibility for his iniquity. NET Bible "'If a man has sexual intercourse with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or his mother, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has exposed his sister's nakedness; he will bear his punishment for iniquity. New Heart English Bible "'If a man takes his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness; it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people: he has uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. Webster's Bible Translation And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity. World English Bible “‘If a man takes his sister—his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter—and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a shameful thing. They shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness. He shall bear his iniquity. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd a man who takes his sister, a daughter of his father or daughter of his mother, and he has seen her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness—it is a shame; and they have been cut off before the eyes of the sons of their people; he has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he bears his iniquity. Young's Literal Translation 'And a man who taketh his sister, a daughter of his father or daughter of his mother, and he hath seen her nakedness, and she seeth his nakedness: it is a shame; and they have been cut off before the eyes of the sons of their people; the nakedness of his sister he hath uncovered; his iniquity he beareth. Smith's Literal Translation And a man who shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and he saw her nakedness, and she shall see his nakedness; it is a reproach; and they were cut off in the eyes of the sons of their people; he uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf any man take his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother, and see her nakedness, and she behold her brother's shame: they have committed a crime: they shall be slain, in the sight of their people, because they have discovered one another's nakedness, and they shall bear their iniquity. Catholic Public Domain Version Whoever will have taken his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother, and will have seen her nakedness, and she will have looked upon her brother’s shame, they have committed a nefarious act. They shall be slain in the sight of their people, because they have uncovered one another’s nakedness. And they shall bear their iniquity. New American Bible If a man marries his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, and they have intercourse with each other, that is disgraceful; they shall be publicly cut off from the people; the man shall bear the penalty of having had intercourse with his own sister. New Revised Standard Version If a man takes his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace, and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people; he has uncovered his sister’s nakedness, he shall be subject to punishment. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter or his mother's daughter, and be intimate with her and she be intimate with him, it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people; he has uncovered his sister's nakedness; they shall suffer for their iniquity. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And a man who takes his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother and will look at her nakedness, also she will see his nakedness, it is a reproach; they shall be deprived of the children of their people; he has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; they shall bear their evil. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness: it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. Brenton Septuagint Translation Whosoever shall take his sister by his father or by his mother, and shall see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness, it is a reproach: they shall be destroyed before the children of their family; he has uncovered his sister's nakedness, they shall bear their sin. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Punishments for Sexual Immorality…16If a woman approaches any animal to mate with it, you must kill both the woman and the animal. They must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. 17If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity. 18If a man lies with a menstruating woman and has sexual relations with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has uncovered the source of her blood. Both of them must be cut off from among their people.… Cross References Deuteronomy 27:22 ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 2 Samuel 13:11-14 And when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said, “Come lie with me, my sister!” / “No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not violate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! / Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” ... 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. Genesis 19:30-36 Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains—for he was afraid to stay in Zoar—where they lived in a cave. / One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man in the land to sleep with us, as is the custom over all the earth. / Come, let us get our father drunk with wine so we can sleep with him and preserve his line.” ... 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God; Galatians 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; Romans 1:26-27 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. / Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Ephesians 5:3 But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. 1 Timothy 1:9-10 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, / for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. Matthew 5:27-28 You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Mark 7:21-23 For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.” Treasury of Scripture And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he has uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. Leviticus 18:9 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. Genesis 20:12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. Deuteronomy 27:22 Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen. Jump to Previous Bear Children Cut Daughter Disgrace Father's Iniquity Mother's Nakedness Shameful Sight Sister Sister's Uncovered WickedJump to Next Bear Children Cut Daughter Disgrace Father's Iniquity Mother's Nakedness Shameful Sight Sister Sister's Uncovered WickedLeviticus 20 1. Of him who gives his seed to Moloch4. Of him who favors such an one 6. Of going to wizards 7. Of sanctification 9. Of him who curses his parents 11. Of incest 13. Of sodomy 15. Of bestiality 18. Of uncleanness 22. Obedience is required with holiness 27. Wizards must be put to death If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother This phrase addresses the prohibition against incestuous relationships, specifically between siblings. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such unions were often seen as taboo and were prohibited in Israelite law to maintain the sanctity and purity of the family unit. The reference to "the daughter of his father or of his mother" clarifies that this law applies to both full and half-siblings, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clear boundaries within familial relationships. This commandment reflects the broader biblical principle of holiness and separation from the practices of surrounding nations, which often included various forms of sexual immorality. and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace They must be cut off in the sight of their people He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister he shall bear his iniquity Persons / Places / Events 1. Moses- The author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites. 2. Israelites - The people to whom the laws in Leviticus were given, forming the covenant community of God. 3. Canaan - The land where the Israelites were headed, which had practices that God wanted them to avoid, including incestuous relationships. 4. God - The divine lawgiver who establishes moral and ceremonial laws for His people. 5. The Promised Land - The destination of the Israelites, where they were to live as a holy nation distinct from surrounding peoples. Teaching Points Holiness and DistinctionGod calls His people to be distinct from the surrounding cultures. This includes maintaining purity in familial relationships. The Seriousness of Sin The command to "bear his iniquity" highlights the gravity of sin and its consequences. Sin is not just a personal issue but affects the community. Respect for Family Boundaries God's laws establish clear boundaries to protect the sanctity of family relationships, which are foundational to societal stability. Community Accountability The requirement to be "cut off in the sight of their people" underscores the role of community in upholding God's standards. Redemption and Forgiveness While the law highlights sin, the New Testament offers redemption through Christ, who forgives and restores those who repent. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Leviticus 20:17?2. How does Leviticus 20:17 emphasize the importance of maintaining family purity and boundaries? 3. What consequences are outlined in Leviticus 20:17 for violating God's laws on relationships? 4. How does Leviticus 20:17 connect with New Testament teachings on sexual immorality? 5. In what ways can we uphold the principles of Leviticus 20:17 today? 6. How does understanding Leviticus 20:17 deepen our respect for God's design for family? 7. Why does Leviticus 20:17 prescribe severe punishment for incest between siblings? 8. How does Leviticus 20:17 reflect the cultural norms of ancient Israel? 9. What theological implications arise from the punishment described in Leviticus 20:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 20? 11. Why go outside the camp to bear Jesus' disgrace? 12. Why does divine justice resemble human retributive justice rather than a more enlightened system? 13. How do we reconcile the events of 2 Samuel 13:1–22 with biblical laws condemning incest and rape? 14. What does 'Your sins are forgiven' mean? What Does Leviticus 20:17 Mean If a man marries his sister- The law addresses incest directly, a sin first prohibited in Leviticus 18:9. - Though earlier in Genesis 20:12 Abraham spoke of Sarah as his half-sister, that was before God set Israel apart with explicit holiness commands (Acts 17:30). - God now makes it unmistakable: sexual union within the immediate family is forbidden. whether the daughter of his father or of his mother - The rule covers both full and half-siblings, closing any loopholes (Leviticus 18:11). - Such clarity would later reveal Amnon’s violation of Tamar as wicked (2 Samuel 13:12-13). - God’s moral standard transcends cultural variance; blood relation defines the boundary. and they have sexual relations - The phrase highlights consummation, not merely intent (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:1). - God’s design for sex is covenant love between a husband and wife who are not near kin (Genesis 2:24). - Any deviation distorts that design and harms the family structure. it is a disgrace - “Disgrace” speaks to moral shame before God and community (Proverbs 14:34). - Sin is never private; its ripple effects touch the whole covenant people (Joshua 7:1). - Romans 1:27 echoes the truth that dishonoring the body brings dishonor upon the soul. They must be cut off in the sight of their people - “Cut off” can imply death (Numbers 15:30-31) or expulsion, emphasizing severance from covenant blessings. - Public judgment deters others (Deuteronomy 17:12-13) and preserves the camp’s holiness (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). - God values communal purity over private preference. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister - To “uncover nakedness” is biblical shorthand for sexual intimacy (Leviticus 18:6-7). - Sexual sin violates both the individual and the sacredness of the family bond (Genesis 9:22-23 for the shame motif). - Divine boundaries protect human dignity. he shall bear his iniquity - Personal responsibility: guilt rests on the offender (Ezekiel 18:20). - No sacrifice is mentioned here; the punishment itself meets justice (Hebrews 10:26-27). - Galatians 6:7 reminds us that whatever a person sows, he will also reap. summary Leviticus 20:17 underscores God’s unchanging moral order. Incest is branded shameful, injurious, and worthy of severe sanction to preserve covenant purity. The offender bears full guilt, illustrating that God’s holiness demands both personal and communal accountability. (17) Take his sister.--See Leviticus 18:9.Hebrew If a manוְאִ֣ישׁ (wə·’îš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person marries יִקַּ֣ח (yiq·qaḥ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take his sister, אֲחֹת֡וֹ (’ă·ḥō·ṯōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister whether the daughter בַּת־ (baṯ-) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1323: A daughter of his father אָבִ֣יו (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father or א֣וֹ (’ōw) Conjunction Strong's 176: Desire, if his mother, אִ֠מּוֹ (’im·mōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 517: A mother, ) and they have sexual relations, וְרָאָ֨ה (wə·rā·’āh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see it ה֔וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is a disgrace. חֶ֣סֶד (ḥe·seḏ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty They must be cut off וְנִ֨כְרְת֔וּ (wə·niḵ·rə·ṯū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant in the sight לְעֵינֵ֖י (lə·‘ê·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - cdc Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain of בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son their people. עַמָּ֑ם (‘am·mām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock He has uncovered גִּלָּ֖ה (gil·lāh) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal the nakedness עֶרְוַ֧ת (‘er·waṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 6172: Nakedness of his sister; אֲחֹת֛וֹ (’ă·ḥō·ṯōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister he shall bear יִשָּֽׂא׃ (yiś·śā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take his iniquity. עֲוֺנ֥וֹ (‘ă·wō·nōw) Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity Links Leviticus 20:17 NIVLeviticus 20:17 NLT Leviticus 20:17 ESV Leviticus 20:17 NASB Leviticus 20:17 KJV Leviticus 20:17 BibleApps.com Leviticus 20:17 Biblia Paralela Leviticus 20:17 Chinese Bible Leviticus 20:17 French Bible Leviticus 20:17 Catholic Bible OT Law: Leviticus 20:17 If a man takes his sister his (Le Lv Lev.) |
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