What other biblical passages reinforce the teachings found in Deuteronomy 27:23? The Core Command of Deuteronomy 27:23 “Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’” Further Commands in the Law • Leviticus 18:17 — “You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter… It is wickedness.” • 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.” • Leviticus 20:11 — “If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both of them must surely be put to death.” • Leviticus 18:8 — “You must not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness.” Echoes in the Prophets • Ezekiel 22:11 — “One commits abomination with his neighbor’s wife; another defiles his daughter-in-law; and another violates his sister…” • Malachi 2:14–16 — God rebukes faithlessness within marriage, reminding Israel that He hates covenant-breaking and treachery in the family. New Testament Reinforcement • 1 Corinthians 5:1 — “Sexual immorality… a man has his father’s wife.” Paul demands church discipline for such incest. • Hebrews 13:4 — “Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.” • Ephesians 5:3 — “Among you… there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.” • Galatians 5:19 — “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery.” Why God Takes This So Seriously • Protects family sanctity―sexual sin inside extended family tears at the fabric God designed for nurture and stability. • Guards covenant loyalty―marriage mirrors God’s covenant with His people; violations distort that picture. • Preserves community purity―unrepented incest invites judgment on the whole nation/church (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6). Living Faithfully Today • Honor marriage boundaries wholeheartedly; do not entertain “gray areas.” • Cultivate transparency and accountability—trusted believers help us stay above reproach. • Model biblical purity to the next generation, showing that God’s design is good and protective, not restrictive. |
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