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You shall not uncover the [a]nakedness of your father, that is, the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness.

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Footnotes

  1. Leviticus 18:7 The father’s nakedness is a reference to his wife in her role as his sexual partner, i.e. the nakedness that belongs to him alone by virtue of their marriage (cf 1 Cor 7:4). Otherwise, the literal meaning would refer to intimate relations with the father himself, including homosexuality. The text itself states that this is not the meaning, especially in 20:11a (The man who lies...has uncovered his father’s nakedness).

“‘Do not dishonor your father(A) by having sexual relations with your mother.(B) She is your mother; do not have relations with her.

“‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife;(C) that would dishonor your father.(D)

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