Leviticus 18:17 - “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness.
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What does "Leviticus 18:17" mean?
This verse in Leviticus 18:17 prohibits sexual relations between a man and a woman and her daughter, granddaughter (through her son), or granddaughter (through her daughter). In simpler terms, it forbids incestuous relationships with a woman's direct female descendants.
Here's a breakdown:
"You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter": This explicitly prohibits sexual relations between a man and both a mother and her daughter.
"You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness": This extends the prohibition to the woman's granddaughters, both through her son and through her daughter.
"they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness": This provides the reason for the prohibition: these women are considered close relatives, and engaging in such relations is considered a moral transgression, translated here as "wickedness".
The Underlying Principle:
The verse aims to protect the family structure and prevent incest. These types of relationships would cause confusion in family roles, create potential power imbalances, and disrupt the social order. The "near kinswomen" designation emphasizes the inherent closeness and potential for familial disruption that these relationships would create.
Important Considerations:
Context: It's crucial to interpret this verse within the broader context of Leviticus 18, which details various prohibited sexual relationships.
Differing Interpretations: While the core meaning is clear, interpretations of the specific nuances and applications of these laws may vary among different religious traditions and scholars.
Leviticus 18:17 - “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness.
What does "Leviticus 18:17" mean?
This verse in Leviticus 18:17 prohibits sexual relations between a man and a woman and her daughter, granddaughter (through her son), or granddaughter (through her daughter). In simpler terms, it forbids incestuous relationships with a woman's direct female descendants.
Here's a breakdown:
"You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter": This explicitly prohibits sexual relations between a man and both a mother and her daughter.
"You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness": This extends the prohibition to the woman's granddaughters, both through her son and through her daughter.
"they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness": This provides the reason for the prohibition: these women are considered close relatives, and engaging in such relations is considered a moral transgression, translated here as "wickedness".
The Underlying Principle:
The verse aims to protect the family structure and prevent incest. These types of relationships would cause confusion in family roles, create potential power imbalances, and disrupt the social order. The "near kinswomen" designation emphasizes the inherent closeness and potential for familial disruption that these relationships would create.
Important Considerations:
Context: It's crucial to interpret this verse within the broader context of Leviticus 18, which details various prohibited sexual relationships.
Differing Interpretations: While the core meaning is clear, interpretations of the specific nuances and applications of these laws may vary among different religious traditions and scholars.