Prohibition of sexual relations with relatives.

Prohibition of sexual relations with relatives.

"None of you will approach a close relative of yours to discover their nakedness; I am the Lord."

Source

The sharp statement was made that no one should have sex with a close relative. This entire section extends the seventh commandment. Here he was referring to someone who had the same blood relationship as the other person. The reason given was the statement: "I am the Lord."

"You will not discover your father's nakedness, or your mother's nakedness. She is your mother, you will not discover her nakedness. You will not discover the nakedness of your father's wife; it is your father's nakedness."

This verse warns against the disgusting incest. However, this sin was practiced in the Corinthian church. St. Paul condemned him with great energy saying, in 1 Corinthians 5: 1, one can hear that one of you has his own stepmother as a woman. This is such a serious case of immorality that it does not even occur among pagans.
These matters are frequently talked about today because things are not very different in the current era. God has announced exactly what sin is. Let's read verses 9 through 15:
"The nudity of your sister, whether the daughter of your father or your mother, born at home or born outside, her nakedness you will not discover. The nakedness of your son's daughter, or your daughter's daughter, her nakedness you will not discover "Because her nakedness is yours. The nakedness of the daughter of your father's wife, begotten of your father, her nakedness you will not discover; your sister is. You will not discover the nakedness of your father's sister; your father's relative is You will not discover the nudity of your mother's sister; your mother's kinswoman is. You will not discover the nudity of your father's brother; you will not approach his wife, your aunt is. You will not discover the nudity of your daughter-in-law; she is a woman of your son, you will not discover his nakedness. "
The different human relationships established by blood ties or marriage are specifically addressed in this section. Family members are logically immersed in a domestic situation in which adultery could be practiced. God prepared these barriers to prevent it.
The Egyptians fell into these sins, especially those mentioned in verse 9. The Pharaohs and the Ptolemies practiced mixed marriage of brother and sister.

At first there was no law against those situations. Cain and Set had to marry their own sisters. Abraham married his half sister. However, afterwards the law interrupted those practices.

"You will not discover the nakedness of your brother's wife; it is the nakedness of your brother."

There was an exception to this verse and it was the law of levirate set forth in Deuteronomy 25: 5-10.

Credits for the author Luis de Miguel de la Biblica school.