Deuteronomy 22:30

Modern

A man is not to marry his father’s wife, so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed.

Traditional

A man shall not take his father’s wife, nor discover his father’s skirt.

Literal

A man shall not take the wife of his father, and he shall not uncover the skirt of his father.

Latin

Non accipiet homo uxorem patris sui, nec revelabit operimentum ejus.

Hebrew

English

A man is not to marry his father’s wife, so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed.

The phrase his father’s wife does not refer to a man’s own mother. Sexual relations with one’s mother were considered a more serious offense.

Such acts were clearly forbidden in the law of Moses (see Leviticus 18:7–8, 29).

Theme notes and profiles

Deuteronomy 27:20
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Leviticus 18:8
You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.
1 Corinthians 5:1
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.
Leviticus 20:11
If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
Ruth 3:9
“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.”
Ezekiel 16:8
Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD.
1 Corinthians 5:13
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”