Leviticus 20:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A man who marries a woman and her mother commits wickedness; all three are to be burned to death.
The Context of Leviticus 20:14
Marriage to a mother and daughter is wickedness meriting death by fire.
What Does Leviticus 20:14 Mean?
Marrying mother and daughter violates family structure by creating impossible kinship relationships and confuses generational order. The law names this 'wickedness' and prescribes burning rather than stoning, perhaps signifying especially severe defilement requiring a different mode of purification or execution.
The stated purpose—'that there be no wickedness among you'—shows the law's intent to prevent such disorder from taking root in the community. The penalty is severe because the transgression is viewed as corrupting the entire social fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 20:14
What does Leviticus 20:14 mean?
A man who marries a woman and her mother commits wickedness; all three are to be burned to death.
What is the context of Leviticus 20:14?
Marriage to a mother and daughter is wickedness meriting death by fire.