Leviticus 18:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The prohibition protects a woman together with her daughter and her granddaughters through either family line. Their close kinship makes sexual access across these generations wickedness. The verse directly names the moral evil of turning family connection into intergenerational exploitation.
A person must not pursue sexual relations with a woman and her daughter or granddaughter, because they are near relatives and such conduct is wickedness.
The Context of Leviticus 18:17
Verses 6 through 16 establish boundaries across parents, siblings, grandchildren, aunts, a daughter in law, and a brother's wife. Verse 17 gathers several generations around one woman: her daughter, her son's daughter, and her daughter's daughter. The balanced granddaughter language resembles verse 10, which protects descendants through both a son and a daughter. The explanation says that these women are near kinswomen and then calls the conduct wickedness. Verse 18 proceeds to a wife and her sister during the wife's lifetime. This verse should be read within the chapter's sexual-boundary language and without graphic expansion. Its final moral judgment falls upon the prohibited conduct described.
What Does Leviticus 18:17 Mean?
The verse prevents a person from moving sexually through multiple generations of one family. Daughter and granddaughter relationships are not separate opportunities detached from the woman; they are protected kinship bonds. By naming descendants through her son and her daughter, the command closes any attempt to privilege one family line or to exploit a technical label. The concluding words it is wickedness give an unusually direct evaluation. Intergenerational sexual access twists relationships that should carry care, respect, and protection. Scripture identifies the act as evil even when a household might try to normalize, conceal, or rename it.
Children cannot consent to sexual activity, and an adult who involves them bears full responsibility. Adult daughters and granddaughters may also face coercion through age differences, money, housing, threats, caregiving, or fear of harming their mother. No survivor shares the offender's guilt because she froze, complied under pressure, delayed disclosure, or remained connected to relatives. A mother is not responsible for an offender's abuse of her daughter merely because the offender first had a relationship with her. Safety planning must protect each person individually and must not turn women in the family against one another.
Jesus receives children and warns severely about anyone who harms a little one. His kingdom overturns the use of status for domination and calls powerful people to serve. The psalm's command to defend the vulnerable makes passive family loyalty inadequate. Christian communities should interrupt access, report suspected child abuse or immediate danger through proper channels, and support competent investigation. They should provide medical, legal, clinical, financial, and pastoral care without forcing disclosure, confrontation, forgiveness, or reunion. The offender's repentance, if genuine, includes truth, consequences, relinquished access, and concern for those harmed rather than demands for restored reputation.
Bible Verses Related to Leviticus 18:17
“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. 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. Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time. Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.”
- Leviticus 18:15-19
“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
- Matthew 18:5-6
“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.”
- Psalm 82:3-4
“And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
- Mark 10:13-16
Where Leviticus 18:17 Echoes in Scripture
Verse 10 already protects granddaughters through both a son and a daughter. Verse 17 returns deliberately to the same two family lines within a wider intergenerational prohibition and adds the exceptionally direct moral judgment that the described conduct is wickedness.
How to Apply Leviticus 18:17 Today
Treat any pattern of one person targeting several relatives or generations as a serious safeguarding warning. Coordinate protection so that disclosures are not isolated from one another, while preserving each survivor's privacy and choices. Children and dependent people require immediate safety and proper reporting. Adults should avoid comparing stories competitively, blaming a mother for failing to know, or pressuring relatives into a shared confrontation. Preserve messages and records, use qualified investigators, and arrange independent advocates where interests differ. Long-term care should remain available even when survivors choose different boundaries or forms of participation.
Reflection & Prayer
Would we recognize a repeated family pattern and protect every generation without blaming survivors? We might pray: 'Lord Jesus, expose every intergenerational pattern of wickedness, defend vulnerable children and adults, and give wounded families truthful, patient, courageous, and enduring care.'