What does Leviticus 18:18 mean?

"Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time." - Leviticus 18:18

Leviticus 18:18 - "Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time."

Leviticus 18:18 - "Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time."

Leviticus 18:18 (KJV) states: "Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her lifetime."

This verse is part of a larger set of laws outlined in the book of Leviticus, which were given to the Israelites by God through Moses. The purpose of these laws was to guide the people in living a holy and righteous life, as well as to set them apart from the other nations around them. The specific law in this verse forbids a man from taking two sisters as wives, as it would be a cause of distress and shame for the sister who is not the primary wife.

The theme of this verse revolves around the sanctity of marriage and the importance of avoiding behaviors that can lead to disharmony and strife within the family unit. By prohibiting the practice of marrying two sisters, the verse emphasizes the need for respect, honor, and consideration within the marriage relationship. This law aims to protect the dignity and well-being of all parties involved, ensuring that the wives are not pitted against each other or brought into a situation that would cause them distress.

The context of this verse is embedded within the larger narrative of the book of Leviticus, which contains a comprehensive list of laws and regulations pertaining to various aspects of life, including worship, morality, and community living. The laws in Leviticus were given to the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness toward the promised land, serving as a foundation for their identity as God's people and setting them apart from the surrounding nations.

The symbolism in this verse points to the principle of honoring and protecting the sanctity of marriage. By forbidding the practice of taking two sisters as wives, the verse underscores the importance of unity, love, and mutual respect within the marriage relationship. It also highlights the potential for conflict and division when individuals do not honor the boundaries and commitments of marriage, demonstrating the detrimental effects of such actions on the family and the broader community.

Furthermore, the prohibition against marrying two sisters can be seen as a reflection of God's design for marriage as a sacred and exclusive covenant between one man and one woman. This verse underscores the significance of maintaining the purity and exclusivity of the marital bond, safeguarding it from factors that may undermine its integrity.

In a broader sense, this verse also serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding moral and ethical standards in all aspects of life. It encourages individuals to consider the implications of their actions on others and to make choices that promote harmony, respect, and well-being within the community.

In conclusion, Leviticus 18:18 (KJV) conveys a timeless message about the sanctity of marriage, the importance of honoring commitments, and the need to uphold moral and ethical principles in all relationships. It serves as a guiding principle for promoting harmony and well-being within the family unit and the broader community, emphasizing the significance of mutual respect, love, and fidelity within the marriage relationship.

Leviticus 18:18 Artwork

Leviticus 18:18 - "Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time."

Leviticus 18:18 - "Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time."

Leviticus 11:18 - "And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,"

Leviticus 11:18 - "And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,"

Leviticus 18:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Leviticus 18:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Job 1:8

Job 1:8

Leviticus 18:22 - "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."

Leviticus 18:22 - "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."

Numbers 1:8 - "Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar."

Numbers 1:8 - "Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar."

Leviticus 24:18 - "And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast."

Leviticus 24:18 - "And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast."

Leviticus 13:18 - "¶ The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed,"

Leviticus 13:18 - "¶ The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed,"

Leviticus 18:16 - "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness."

Leviticus 18:16 - "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness."

Leviticus 18:8 - "The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness."

Leviticus 18:8 - "The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness."

Colossians 1:8 - "Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit."

Colossians 1:8 - "Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit."

Leviticus 18:20 - "Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her."

Leviticus 18:20 - "Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her."

Leviticus 18:12 - "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman."

Leviticus 18:12 - "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman."

Leviticus 18:27 - "(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)"

Leviticus 18:27 - "(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)"

Leviticus 18:13 - "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman."

Leviticus 18:13 - "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman."

Leviticus 18:2 - "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God."

Leviticus 18:2 - "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God."

Joel 1:8 - "¶ Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth."

Joel 1:8 - "¶ Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth."

Leviticus 18:6 - "¶ None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD."

Leviticus 18:6 - "¶ None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD."

Leviticus 8:18 - "¶ And he brought the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram."

Leviticus 8:18 - "¶ And he brought the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram."

James 1:8 - "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

James 1:8 - "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

John 1:8 - "He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light."

John 1:8 - "He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light."

Leviticus 18:28 - "That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you."

Leviticus 18:28 - "That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you."

Leviticus 18:24 - "Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:"

Leviticus 18:24 - "Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:"

Leviticus 26:18 - "And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins."

Leviticus 26:18 - "And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins."

Leviticus 18:19 - "Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness."

Leviticus 18:19 - "Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness."

Leviticus 18:14 - "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt."

Leviticus 18:14 - "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt."

1 Chronicles 1:8 - "¶ The sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan."

1 Chronicles 1:8 - "¶ The sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan."

Ephesians 1:8 - "Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;"

Ephesians 1:8 - "Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;"

Leviticus 18:29 - "For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people."

Leviticus 18:29 - "For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people."

Leviticus 10:18 - "Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded."

Leviticus 10:18 - "Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded."