I’ll be honest: I was going to gingerly skip through this chapter and move on to the next, in hopes that Leviticus 19 would be a little bit easier to swallow. However, as I delved deeper, I realized that it was crucial to grapple with the text and not shy away from its complexities. The significance of scapegoats in Leviticus reveals profound insights into the ancient understanding of sin and atonement. Embracing the challenging passages might just uncover lessons that resonate even today.
But then I came across Leviticus 18:6, which talks about incest. As does verse seven. And verse eight. And verse nine—all the way to Leviticus 18:18. Thirteen whole verses that lay out, with remarkable specificity, all the different versions of incest that are against God’s teachings in the Old Law. These verses serve as a stark reminder of the boundaries set forth in biblical teachings regarding family relationships. Interestingly, as I explored further, I stumbled upon sections dedicated to other significant life events, like the bible verses on childbirth, which provide insight into the importance of family and community in spiritual life. Together, these passages reflect a comprehensive view of relationships and responsibilities as outlined in the Old Law.
Relations with close relatives are all mentioned, which makes sense (father, mother, sister, brother). But then, Leviticus 18 goes into in-laws, cousins, aunts and uncles, and mothers alongside their daughters. It’s a really well-thought-out list.
I couldn’t help but be struck by the breadth of this section. Why is there so much emphasis on abstaining from sexual relations with relatives?
Unlike other passages, Leviticus 18 does not explicitly tell us why incest is forbidden. It doesn’t say it will “defile the land” or abstaining will “lead to a long life.” It’s just mentioned as prohibited, and then the Text moves on.
Because of that, we’re left to our own interpretations—of which, there could be many.
The first, and most obvious, explanation for why God prohibits incest is because of the biological degradation that comes with inbreeding. Over time, the generations that will arise will have significant impairments, both with cognitive and physical function. This supplies at least one reason why it’s possible people lived longer lives in Genesis.
Another reason appeals to opportunity. If incest wasn’t prohibited, and family members lived in such close proximity with each other, I guess there would be the chance for sexual activity to take place.
This viewpoint also affords protections for family members. Proximity inside a household could present the temptation for someone who is stronger (parent, uncle, older brother, etc) to force themselves on a vulnerable party. Amnon’s rape of Tamar is a perfect example of this horrendous reality.
Finally, there is an appeal to order in the family unit. Remember Leah and Rebekah and their arguments over mandrakes in Genesis 30? That’s a prime example of why you don’t marry sisters who are “rivals” (Leviticus 18:18).
But Rachel and Leah’s story bring up another question: Why is incest forbidden here when it was so common in Genesis?
The easy explanation is that there weren’t as many available people as there are today. The rate of population growth has exploded in recent years; a few thousand years ago, there were significantly less available bachelors (and bachelorettes) as there are today.
Another possibility ties right in to Leviticus 18: purity. The reason Rebekah told Jacob to go to Laban and look for a wife from “among his relatives” was because those were people they could trust. They were kin—as such, they would keep their genealogy strong and untainted with outsiders.
That’s exactly what Leviticus 18 addresses. God wanted His people to remain pure and holy in the midst of a sea of unGodly humans. This chapter outlines specific laws to guide the Israelites in their moral conduct, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing themselves from the practices of surrounding nations. Among the various prohibitions is the condemnation of heinous acts such as offering children to the fire, specifically the practice involving parents and the sacrifice of molech. By adhering to these divine guidelines, the Israelites were to foster a community rooted in worship and reverence for God, avoiding the destructive paths of idolatry and immorality. This chapter outlines specific laws and behaviors that would set them apart from other nations. Among these regulations, the story of Shelomith’s son in Leviticus serves as a poignant example of the consequences of straying from these divine commandments. By emphasizing the importance of obedience and respect for God’s standards, the text aims to guide the Israelites toward a more righteous and fulfilling life. These divine regulations set Israel apart from other nations and their practices, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a distinct moral and ethical standard. The uniqueness of Israel’s sexual ethics highlighted the covenant relationship between God and His people, serving as a guiding principle for their interactions and lifestyles. By adhering to these laws, the Israelites demonstrated their commitment to living in accordance with God’s will.
This is not an argument for only marrying Christians, by the way—just an appeal to find someone who will help you grow in Christ, rather than present obstacles every step of the way.
Our family is important, but Leviticus 18 wants to make sure we have the right approach to those relationships. While there should always be love and understanding and working together, there should never be lust. That’s for a different relationship altogether.
