Leviticus 18

Leviticus 18

The big picture

Leviticus 18 opens in verse 1 with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 15 with “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou…”, and closes in verse 30 with “Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable…” Repeated or prominent terms include nakedness, uncover, daughter, land, LORD. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Leviticus · King James Version · 30

Leviticus 18:1-8

1–8: The LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 18:1–8 opens with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” and reaches “The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 18 develops its own movement around nakedness, uncover, daughter, land, LORD, with particular weight carried by nakedness, LORD, uncover.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” By verse 4, the text has turned to “Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.” It lands on “The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 5 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as nakedness, LORD, uncover, doings, father’s, judgments tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 18 develops its own movement around nakedness, uncover, daughter, land, LORD,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Canaan, Egypt, Israel, Moses, None. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 3: “After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: nakedness, LORD, uncover, doings, father’s, judgments

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Leviticus 18:1

    “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. Leviticus 18:2

    “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God.” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  3. Leviticus 18:3

    “After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  4. Leviticus 18:4

    “Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  5. Leviticus 18:5

    “Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD .” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  6. Leviticus 18:6

    “None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD .” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  7. Leviticus 18:7

    “The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not…” The line’s distinctive content terms include nakedness, mother, uncover. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

  8. Leviticus 18:8

    “The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.” The line’s distinctive content terms include father’s, nakedness, uncover. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

Leviticus 18:1-8

King James Version

1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God.

3After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.

4Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.

5Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD .

6None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD .

7The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

8The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.

Leviticus 18:9-16

9–16: The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of…

Leviticus 18:9–16 opens with “The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she…” and reaches “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 18 develops its own movement around nakedness, uncover, daughter, land, LORD, with particular weight carried by nakedness, uncover, daughter.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether…” By verse 12, the text has turned to “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near…” It lands on “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.

The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as nakedness, uncover, daughter, father’s, sister, wife tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 18 develops its own movement around nakedness, uncover, daughter, land, LORD,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Thou. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 12: “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: nakedness, uncover, daughter, father’s, sister, wife

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 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…” The line’s distinctive content terms include born, daughter, nakedness. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

  2. Leviticus 18:10

    “The nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for…” The line’s distinctive content terms include nakedness, daughter, daughter’s. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

  3. Leviticus 18:11

    “The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her…” The line’s distinctive content terms include nakedness, begotten, daughter. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

  4. Leviticus 18:12

    “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  5. Leviticus 18:13

    “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. Leviticus 18:14

    “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  7. Leviticus 18:15

    “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  8. Leviticus 18:16

    “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Leviticus 18:9-16

King James Version

9The 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.

10The nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness.

11The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

12Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman.

13Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman.

14Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.

15Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

16Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

Leviticus 18:17-24

17–24: Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter…

Leviticus 18:17–24 opens with “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her…” and reaches “Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 18 develops its own movement around nakedness, uncover, daughter, land, LORD, with particular weight carried by nakedness, uncover, daughter.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take…” By verse 20, the text has turned to “Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.” It lands on “Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as nakedness, uncover, daughter, defile, woman, beast tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 18 develops its own movement around nakedness, uncover, daughter, land, LORD,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Neither, Thou, Also, Defile, God, Molech. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 20: “Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: nakedness, uncover, daughter, defile, woman, beast

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Leviticus 18:17

    “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son’s daughter, or her…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. Leviticus 18:18

    “Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.” Naming Neither keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  3. Leviticus 18:19

    “Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.” Naming Also keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  4. Leviticus 18:20

    “Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.” Naming Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  5. Leviticus 18:21

    “And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy…” Naming Molech keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. Leviticus 18:22

    “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  7. Leviticus 18:23

    “Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  8. Leviticus 18:24

    “Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:” Naming Defile keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Leviticus 18:17-24

King James Version

17Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.

18Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.

19Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.

20Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.

21And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD .

22Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

23Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.

24Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

Leviticus 18:25-30

25–30: The land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it…

Leviticus 18:25–30 opens with “And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself…” and reaches “Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 18 develops its own movement around nakedness, uncover, daughter, land, LORD, with particular weight carried by land, commit, abominations.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land…” By verse 27, the text has turned to “(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the…” It lands on “Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as land, commit, abominations, defile, defiled, keep tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 18 develops its own movement around nakedness, uncover, daughter, land, LORD,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God. Its number language includes one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 30: “Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: land, commit, abominations, defile, defiled, keep

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Leviticus 18:25

    “And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her…” The line’s distinctive content terms include land, defiled, inhabitants. Its relationship to verses 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

  2. Leviticus 18:26

    “Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. Leviticus 18:27

    “(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)” The line’s distinctive content terms include land, abominations, defiled. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.

  4. Leviticus 18:28

    “That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.” The line’s distinctive content terms include defile, land, nations. Its relationship to verses 27 and 29 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Leviticus 18:29

    “For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  6. Leviticus 18:30

    “Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

Leviticus 18:25-30

King James Version

25And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.

26Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:

27(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)

28That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.

29For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.

30Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.

Questions to keep in mind while reading

  1. Identify the people addressed and the covenant setting.
  2. Distinguish rescue, worship, holiness, justice, and community responsibility.
  3. Read commands in their literary and covenant context before making a modern application.

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.

Questions beneath the surface

  1. What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from Leviticus 18?
  2. Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
  3. What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
  4. Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?

Questions for serious personal contemplation

These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.

Observe without rushing

  1. What part of Leviticus 18 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?

  2. Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?

  3. Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Leviticus 18 develops its own movement around nakedness, uncover, daughter, land, LORD?

  4. What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?

Examine your inner life honestly

  1. Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?

  2. What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?

  3. Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?

  4. If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?

Respond with wisdom and courage

  1. What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?

  2. How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?

  3. What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?

  4. What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?