King James Version

What Does Leviticus 20:21 Mean?

Leviticus 20:21 in the King James Version says “And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shal...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless. an: Heb. a separation”

Leviticus 20:21 · KJV

Context

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

20

And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.

21

And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless. an: Heb. a separation

22

Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out.

23

And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.

Read Leviticus 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.

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.

Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
The New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.

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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. Ancient texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?
  3. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְאִ֗ישׁ1 of 13

“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)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר2 of 13
H834

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

יִקַּ֛ח3 of 13

“shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת4 of 13
H853

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

אֵ֥שֶׁת5 of 13

“wife”

H802

a woman

אָחִ֛יו6 of 13

“his brother's”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

נִדָּ֣ה7 of 13

“it is an unclean thing”

H5079

properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)

הִ֑וא8 of 13
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

עֶרְוַ֥ת9 of 13

“nakedness”

H6172

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

אָחִ֛יו10 of 13

“his brother's”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

גִּלָּ֖ה11 of 13

“he hath uncovered”

H1540

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

עֲרִירִ֥ים12 of 13

“they shall be childless”

H6185

bare, i.e., destitute (of children)

יִֽהְיֽוּ׃13 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

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 20:21 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 20:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 18:16Matthew 14:3-4

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