6 No one shall approach to any that is his near relation, to uncover his nakedness: I am Jehovah. 7 The nakedness of thy father, and the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother: thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 8 The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness. 9 The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, born at home, or born abroad—their nakedness shalt thou not uncover. 10 The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter—their nakedness shalt thou not uncover; for theirs is thy nakedness. 11 The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father: she is thy sister: thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 12 The nakedness of thy father's sister shalt thou not uncover: she is thy father's near relation. 13 The nakedness of thy mother's sister shalt thou not uncover; for she is thy mother's near relation. 14 The nakedness of thy father's brother shalt thou not uncover; thou shalt not approach his wife: she is thine aunt. 15 The nakedness of thy daughter-in-law shalt thou not uncover: she is thy son's wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 16 The nakedness of thy brother's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy brother's nakedness. 17 The nakedness of a woman and her daughter shalt thou not uncover; thou shalt not take her son's daughter, nor her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness: they are her near relations: it is wickedness. 18 And thou shalt not take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness beside her, during her life.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 18:6-18
Chapter Contents
Unlawful marriages and fleshly lusts.
Here is a law against all conformity to the corrupt usages of the heathen. Also laws against incest, against brutal lusts, and barbarous idolatries; and the enforcement of these laws from the ruin of the Canaanites. God here gives moral precepts. Close and constant adherence to God's ordinances is the most effectual preservative from gross sin. The grace of God only will secure us; that grace is to be expected only in the use of the means of grace. Nor does He ever leave any to their hearts' lusts, till they have left him and his services.