King James Version

What Does Leviticus 20:17 Mean?

Leviticus 20:17 in the King James Version says “And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see ... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people : he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

Leviticus 20:17 · KJV


Context

15

And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.

16

And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

17

And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people : he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

18

And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people. discovered: Heb. made naked

19

And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity. uncovereth: Heb. hath made naked


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

This verse falls within the section on Penalties for Disobedience. Punishments for violations of sexual and religious laws, emphasizing the seriousness of sin in God's holy community.


The holiness demanded in Leviticus becomes possible through Christ, who both satisfies God's righteous requirements and transforms believers by His Spirit.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Punishments for violations of sexual and religious laws, emphasizing the seriousness of sin in God's holy community. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?
  2. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?
  3. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וְאִ֣ישׁ1 of 28

And if a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁר2 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִקַּ֣ח3 of 28

shall take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת4 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲחֹת֛וֹ5 of 28

his sister

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

בַת6 of 28

daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אָבִ֣יו7 of 28

his father's

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

א֣וֹ8 of 28

or

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

בַת9 of 28

daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אִ֠מּוֹ10 of 28

his mother's

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

תִרְאֶ֤ה11 of 28

and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת12 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֶרְוַ֧ת13 of 28

her nakedness

H6172

nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)

וְהִֽיא14 of 28
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

תִרְאֶ֤ה15 of 28

and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת16 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֶרְוַ֧ת17 of 28

her nakedness

H6172

nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)

חֶ֣סֶד18 of 28

it is a wicked thing

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

ה֔וּא19 of 28
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְנִ֨כְרְת֔וּ20 of 28

and they shall be cut off

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

לְעֵינֵ֖י21 of 28

in the sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

בְּנֵ֣י22 of 28
H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמָּ֑ם23 of 28

of their people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

עֶרְוַ֧ת24 of 28

her nakedness

H6172

nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)

אֲחֹת֛וֹ25 of 28

his sister

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

גִּלָּ֖ה26 of 28

he hath uncovered

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

עֲוֹנ֥וֹ27 of 28

his iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

יִשָּֽׂא׃28 of 28

he shall bear

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 20:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 20:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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