Leviticus 18:14 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The verse addresses a father's brother by expressly forbidding an approach to his wife and clearly identifying her as the addressee's aunt. Marriage brings her inside the protected extended-family relationship, so kinship language again establishes a firm limit on sexual access.
A person must not approach the wife of his father's brother for sexual relations, because she is his aunt within the protected family structure.
The Context of Leviticus 18:14
Verses 12 and 13 prohibit sexual relations with the father's sister and the mother's sister. Verse 14 continues the aunt relationships by speaking of the father's brother and then directing the addressee away from his wife, who is identified as thine aunt. Verse 15 next moves to a daughter in law. The chapter therefore recognizes close family connections created through both descent and marriage. Leviticus 20:20 later refers to the same relationship as the uncle's wife and describes the violation as uncovering the uncle's nakedness. The present command gives no scenario about the aunt's age, household, or intentions and should be applied without adding one.
What Does Leviticus 18:14 Mean?
The wording first mentions the father's brother and then explains the forbidden approach through his wife. Calling her aunt makes the relational duty plain. A family member joined by marriage is not sexually available simply because there is no direct biological line. The verb approach carries the force of the sexual prohibition established by verse 6 and repeated throughout this section. Readers need not turn it into a ban on ordinary conversation, affection, or appropriate family care. The point is a clear sexual boundary that honors the aunt, the uncle, and the integrity of their family relationship.
Contemporary situations can involve very different distributions of power. An aunt may exploit a younger nephew, an adult nephew may coerce an aunt, or either person may face disability, financial dependence, threats, or religious pressure. Scripture's boundary should never be used to assign equal guilt where one person was assaulted or unable to consent. Responsibility lies with the person who imposed or pursued the violation. A survivor deserves safety and care without being forced to confront the offender, persuade skeptical relatives, or accept contact. Suspected crimes and present danger belong with qualified local authorities and safeguarding professionals.
Jesus teaches his followers to reject domination and to understand greatness through service shaped by his own self-giving mission. That pattern exposes any use of family authority for sexual access. Paul likewise calls for relationships marked by purity and for secret darkness to be reproved. Christian holiness therefore includes humble limits, truth about power, and action that protects neighbors. It does not permit families or congregations to handle credible abuse solely behind closed doors. Followers of Christ can honor due process, reject revenge, preserve evidence, and still act quickly to prevent further access and surround harmed people with practical support.
Bible Verses Related to Leviticus 18:14
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.”
- Leviticus 18:12-16
“And if a man shall lie with his uncle’s wife, he hath uncovered his uncle’s nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. And if a man shall take his brother’s wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be childless.”
- Leviticus 20:20-21
“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.”
- 1 Timothy 5:1-2
“But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
- Mark 10:42-45
Where Leviticus 18:14 Echoes in Scripture
Leviticus 20:20 returns to the uncle's wife and describes the offense through the uncle's nakedness. The earlier direct references to the father's and mother's sisters show clearly that an aunt through marriage receives an equally serious boundary alongside aunts by descent.
How to Apply Leviticus 18:14 Today
Treat relatives by marriage as fully included in family safeguarding plans. Be clear about privacy, sleeping arrangements, caregiving, transportation, and unsupervised access when minors or dependent adults are involved. If concern arises, assess conduct and power without assuming that a particular gender or age must be harmless. Secure immediate safety, follow reporting requirements, and obtain trained help. Do not stage an informal confrontation or make a survivor defend the report before the extended family. Provide confidential practical support while refusing secrecy that would leave other people exposed to credible danger.
Reflection & Prayer
Do we extend genuine protection and accountability to every relative joined through marriage? We might pray: 'Servant Lord Jesus, free all our families from domination, establish holy and trustworthy boundaries, and make us swift to protect vulnerable people and patient in continuing care.'