This verse highlights that immoral familial relationships violate God’s standard of holiness.
Leviticus 20:17 deals with serious boundaries within the family. The verse declares, “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.” (v.17) This prohibition seeks to protect the sanctity of family relationships and maintain community holiness. The text makes it clear that sexual intimacy among siblings violates God’s design for family and community order, resulting in grave consequences for the offenders. This emphasis on holiness reflects God’s desire that His people behave differently from the surrounding nations who often engaged in practices contrary to God’s standards.
In the broader context of Leviticus 20, the LORD is giving the Israelites specific statutes, distinguishing them as a people set apart for Him. The statement, “He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt.” (v.17), underscores personal responsibility and the notion that individuals are accountable before God for their actions. There is a deliberate focus on moral purity that resonates throughout Scripture, highlighting the importance of fleeing sexual immorality (see also 1 Corinthians 6:18-20), which ultimately points to humanity’s need for divine guidance and redemption. Even though Jesus Christ appears many centuries later (the events of Leviticus are traditionally dated around the 15th century B.C., whereas Jesus’s earthly ministry took place in the early 1st century A.D.), these laws set the stage for Israel to be distinct until the coming of the Messiah.
Although no geographical location is explicitly mentioned in this verse, Leviticus as a whole records instructions that Moses conveyed to the Israelites while they journeyed in the wilderness after their departure from Egypt (circa 1446 B.C.). Moses, an important figure in the biblical narrative, led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and served as a mediator of God’s laws, reflecting a pivotal period in Israel’s history. Here, the family-boundary laws would have reinforced the community’s identity and guided them away from culturally common, but spiritually harmful, practices.
Set to dark mode
Leviticus 20:17 meaning
Leviticus 20:17 deals with serious boundaries within the family. The verse declares, “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.” (v.17) This prohibition seeks to protect the sanctity of family relationships and maintain community holiness. The text makes it clear that sexual intimacy among siblings violates God’s design for family and community order, resulting in grave consequences for the offenders. This emphasis on holiness reflects God’s desire that His people behave differently from the surrounding nations who often engaged in practices contrary to God’s standards.
In the broader context of Leviticus 20, the LORD is giving the Israelites specific statutes, distinguishing them as a people set apart for Him. The statement, “He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt.” (v.17), underscores personal responsibility and the notion that individuals are accountable before God for their actions. There is a deliberate focus on moral purity that resonates throughout Scripture, highlighting the importance of fleeing sexual immorality (see also 1 Corinthians 6:18-20), which ultimately points to humanity’s need for divine guidance and redemption. Even though Jesus Christ appears many centuries later (the events of Leviticus are traditionally dated around the 15th century B.C., whereas Jesus’s earthly ministry took place in the early 1st century A.D.), these laws set the stage for Israel to be distinct until the coming of the Messiah.
Although no geographical location is explicitly mentioned in this verse, Leviticus as a whole records instructions that Moses conveyed to the Israelites while they journeyed in the wilderness after their departure from Egypt (circa 1446 B.C.). Moses, an important figure in the biblical narrative, led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and served as a mediator of God’s laws, reflecting a pivotal period in Israel’s history. Here, the family-boundary laws would have reinforced the community’s identity and guided them away from culturally common, but spiritually harmful, practices.