Translations
Modern
You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter and have sexual relations with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved.
Traditional
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.
Literal
The nakedness of a woman and her daughter you shall not uncover—the daughter of her son and the daughter of her daughter you shall not take to uncover her nakedness. They are close relatives; it is wickedness.
Latin
Turpitudinem uxoris tuæ et filiæ ejus non revelabis. Filiam filii ejus, et filiam filiæ illius non sumes, ut reveles ignominiam ejus: quia caro illius sunt, et talis coitus incestus est.
Original
Hebrew
English
You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter and have sexual relations with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved.
Notes
Chapter 18 of Leviticus prohibited marrying a woman along with her daughter or granddaughter. This was to prevent family disruption. It would violate the intimacy of the family group by making a wife compete with a younger woman for her husband's love. The penalty for this act was death by burning (20:14).
Theme notes and profiles
Ancient Law Codes Family, Community, and Sexual Sin Holiness and Sexual Purity Holy War Human Sexuality
Parallels
Glossary
Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Incest Kinsman Leviticus, Book of Marriage, Marriage Customs Nations
Topics
Abomination to God: Incest Incest: Defined and Forbidden Marriage: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Mother-In-Law: Not to be Defiled