Incest

Many of us may have heard the term incest. However, some of us lack the biblical understanding of what the Most High God defines as incest, or rather, who he defines as near of kin and relationships that would be deemed unlawful in the eyes of God.

Let us take a look at the laws concerning incest as found in the book of Leviticus.

Leviticus 18:6-17 KJVS

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

The Most High starts by letting us know that we should not “approach any that is near of kin.” Why would he say “near of kin.” Why not just say kin? First let’s find out what “kin” means using the Strong’s Concordance:

Strong's Number

H1320

Original Word

בּשׂר

Transliterated Word

bâώâr

Phonetic Spelling

baw-sawr'

Parts of Speech

Noun Masculine

Strong's Definition

From H1319; flesh (from its freshness); by extension {body} person; also (by euphemism) the pudenda of a man: - {body} {[fat} lean] flesh {[-ed]} {kin} [man-] {kind} + {nakedness} {self} skin.

“Kin” lets us know that this person is of the same flesh. They are of the “pudenda of a man” a euphemism (a word used to describe something better) used to describe the male genitalia or loins. We would know this simply to mean, we are related, we come from the same family; the same “flesh and blood” as people may say today. However, flesh and blood does not mean one is in error if they pursue marriage. This is why God uses the term “near of kin.” Rather than simply saying “kin.” But let us further explore this “flesh and blood” dynamic.

2 Samuel 5:1 KJVS

Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

All the tribes of Israel came together and understood that at the end of the day they are one; of the same bone and flesh. Our people understood that “We are family. I got all my sisters with me. We are family. Get up everybody and sing!” As the song goes. Even if we do not share the same immediate father or grandfather we know we are connected further back down the line.

Amos 3:1 KJV

Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,

Here we see even God identifies the children of Israel as a large family. Broken up into smaller families or tribes with even smaller families or tribes. And we have always been encouraged “to keep it in the family” as they say.

Genesis 24:3-4 KJVS

And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: [4] But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

This was how it was even from the very beginning, he that hath ears to hear let him hear! You married within the family because you had a better chance of success. The other nations and people have different customs and beliefs that may strongly contradict your beliefs and values. And with this other person being a parent and responsible for helping to raise the next generation, you don’t want to leave it to chance. Or even worse, deliberately bad choices that will set your progeny up for failure. Abraham made sure his son “kept it in the family.” God gave the same commandment to the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:1-4 KJVS

When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; [2] And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: [3] Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. [4] For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.

God warned us not to marry the other nations. As they will turn our heart, meaning our mind, away from serving and worshipping The Most High God. He did provide an exception, or rather a path on how to take on one from one of the other nations for marriage. However, just as with other laws, they were not always strictly followed. Which led us to fall into sin. Which is why it is best to apply this law and not marry them at all.

Leviticus 18:6-17 KJVS

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

Knowing we can and should marry our own people. We still need laws to govern how that works. What family is acceptable and what family is not. Hence “near of kin” having to be defined as those in close relations. But how close? As we are not to approach them to see their nakedness nor have sexual relations with them. Of course medical or emergency situations are the only exceptions to seeing someone’s nakedness.

Leviticus 18:7-17

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

You cannot have sexual relations or see the nakedness of your mother or father.

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

Your father’s wife may not necessarily be your biological mother. As your father’s wife may have passed and he remarried or she may have committed adultery. Polygyny was often times another reason as well. We know these relationships to be identified as a stepmother.

[9] The 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.

Regardless if you share the same parents, a sister is a sister. Need you have just the same mom and different dads or the same dad and different moms. We call these “half-siblings”. They are still unlawful. And yes these things must be explained. Because you will always have some, “well we don’t share the same “seed” we got different daddies.” And before everyone becomes immediately offended, if some didn’t grow up together in the same house they may not have the same disdain or gross effect because that brotherly-sisterly bond was never formed. This person is a stranger. For some this may be a stumbling block. Another reason why God had to be clear.

[10] The 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.

If your son has a daughter that would be your granddaughter. If your daughter has a daughter it would still be your granddaughter and still be unlawful either way. The nakedness of your grandchildren is like the nakedness of your children.

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

If your father has a wife (your stepmother) and that wife has a daughter by your biological father, that daughter is still your sister and is unlawful to marry.

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

If your father has a sister that is your aunt. She is unlawful.

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

Your mother’s sister is considered your aunt as well and would be unlawful.

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

If your father has a brother you cannot be sexually intimate with him that is your uncle. Even if your biological uncle marries a woman that woman is now unlawful to marry she is now considered your aunt. Although through marriage.

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

This one explains it perfectly.

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

You cannot have sexually intimate relations with your brother’s wife. That is your sister-in-law.

[17] Thou 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.

You cannot marry a woman and marry her daughter even if you are not directly related to her daughter or even if she is not biologically yours.

Knowing God and his word he always double taps and gives us another example phrased a little differently in addition to providing examples or letting us know the judgments of such actions.

Leviticus 20:11-12,14,17,19-23 KJVS

And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. [12] And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them. [14] And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. [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. [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. [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. [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.

We learn a lot from this passage. And no I don’t mean the things that are necessarily repeated as in Leviticus chapter eighteen. But rather the new information and context we receive that will help you in your studies. One of which is understanding in verse twenty-three that the other nations do not take heed to these things and cross these lines or boundaries. The second thing is here is a list of phrases that are synonymous to mean that this person will be put to death or the judgment is death. “both of them shall surely be put to death;” “their blood shall be upon them.” “They shall bear their iniquity.” “They shall bear their sin.” “they shall be childless.””They shall be cut off in the sight of their people:” Knowing this will help you better understand other laws and their judgements.

Genesis 28:1-2 KJVS

And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. [2] Arise, go to Padan–aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.

Here we see Jacob being instructed to not marry one of the other nations but to go to his family; his near of kin and marry the daughter of his family. His mother’s brother would be his uncle. His uncle’s daughter would be considered his cousin. The lawful family you can marry are your cousins: 1st or 2nd cousins are applicable. This was how they married in the days of Noah. They didn’t marry brothers and sisters, they married cousins. That is who Abraham told his son Isaac to marry. That was who Abraham married and that was who Jacob married. And it was set up that way from the very beginning. Cousins are lawful family you can righteously marry. The only exception to this rule is the duty of a brother but that is a topic for another day.

Leviticus 18:26,29-30 KJVS

Ye 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: [29] For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. [30] Therefore 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.

The Most High God is serious about us maintaining what he defines as righteousness. Especially in these marriageable situations. Even if some cultures or societies may not agree with it. But then again they may agree with other relations God finds unlawful. So let Gods word reign supreme and every man be deemed a liar if they speak not according to this word.