Deuteronomy 22:30 Meaning and Explanation
“A man shall not take his father's wife, nor discover his father's skirt.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A man must never take his father's wife or expose his father's sexual relationship.
The Context of Deuteronomy 22:30
Concluding with the ultimate sexual violation—incest with a stepmother.
What Does Deuteronomy 22:30 Mean?
Taking a father's wife is incest and violates both the father and the sanctity of the marriage covenant. It is among the gravest sexual violations. The act can never be undone or redeemed.
'Discover his father's skirt' means to expose or uncover the father sexually—to publicly shame the father or usurp his sexual authority. This stands as the final boundary of the chapter's sexual laws.
Deuteronomy 22:30 in the Original Language
gālâ (גָּלָה), 'discover' — to uncover, expose, or reveal; implies both literal exposure and violation of privacy or status.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 22:30
What does Deuteronomy 22:30 mean?
A man must never take his father's wife or expose his father's sexual relationship.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 22:30?
Concluding with the ultimate sexual violation—incest with a stepmother.