What is the meaning of Leviticus 18:7? You must not expose the nakedness of your father “ ‘You must not expose the nakedness of your father …’ ” (Leviticus 18:7) • The phrase speaks to the sanctity of the marital bond between a man and his wife. To “expose nakedness” is a polite way of saying “have sexual relations,” and here it stresses that no child is ever to intrude upon the exclusive intimacy God has established for husband and wife (see Genesis 2:24; Proverbs 5:18-19). • By first mentioning the father, the text underscores that violating the mother also violates the father, because in marriage the two have become “one flesh” (Matthew 19:5-6). • Respect for parental authority is a cornerstone of God’s moral order (Exodus 20:12), and any act that shatters that respect undermines the family and society at large. …by having sexual relations with your mother “ …by having sexual relations with your mother. ” (Leviticus 18:7) • Incest between a child and parent is categorically forbidden. This command is not situation-specific but universal, rooted in God’s unchanging character (Malachi 3:6). • Such a prohibition protects the family from emotional, spiritual, and physical harm. Scripture consistently portrays sexual purity as life-giving and sin as destructive (Proverbs 6:32; 1 Corinthians 6:18). • The verse also distinguishes God’s people from the surrounding nations, whose pagan practices often ignored these boundaries (Leviticus 18:24-30). She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her “ ‘She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her.’ ” (Leviticus 18:7) • The repetition drives home the reality of the relationship. God appeals to the obvious—“She is your mother”—as sufficient reason to abstain. • A mother is to be honored, cherished, and protected, never exploited (Deuteronomy 5:16; Proverbs 23:22-25). • This final clause leaves no loophole. Any sexual act with one’s mother is condemned without exception, guarding the holiness God demands among His people (1 Peter 1:15-16). summary Leviticus 18:7 condemns any sexual relationship between a child and a parent, affirming God’s design for marriage and the family. By forbidding the exposure of a father’s nakedness through the mother, the verse upholds parental honor, safeguards family purity, and sets God’s people apart from the corrupt practices of surrounding cultures. |
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