Unlawful Relations

Leviticus 18:6-17 - “‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the Lord. “‘Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her. “‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father. “‘Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere. “‘Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you. “‘Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister. “‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative. “‘Do not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s close relative. “‘Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt. “‘Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her. “‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother. “‘Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.

Application:

• ·         Your father’s wife is other than your mother—assuming there is more than one wife.
• ·         There would be many half-sisters in a polygamous society.
• ·         To marry one’s brother’s widow was not immoral but might damage the brother’s inheritance.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV