Leviticus 18:16

What does Leviticus 18:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Leviticus 18:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

You may not have sex relations with your brother's wife, for she is your brother's.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`The nakedness of thy brother's wife thou dost not uncover; it <FI>is<Fi> thy brother's nakedness.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The nakedness of thy brother's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy brother's nakedness.

Context

v.15Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter-in-law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

v.16This passage

v.17Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; thou shalt not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Deuteronomy 25:5

    If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother unto her.

  • Luke 3:19

    but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

  • Matthew 22:24

    saying, Teacher, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

  • Mark 12:19

    Teacher, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave a wife behind him, and leave no child, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

  • Matthew 14:3

    For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

  • Mark 6:17

    For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her.

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