Ella 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Leviticus 20:17 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Leviticus 20:17 is one of the many laws found in the Holiness Code of the Old Testament, which governs the moral, social, and religious behavior of the people of Israel. This specific verse addresses a very serious offense—incest—and outlines the consequences of this sin. While the specific laws outlined in Leviticus may seem foreign to modern readers, they hold valuable lessons that help us understand God‘s design for purity and holiness. In this article, we will explore the context, meaning, and application of Leviticus 20:17, drawing from its rich biblical principles to understand how it still speaks to us today.
The Context of Leviticus 20:17 KJV
The Holiness Code in Leviticus
Leviticus is the third book of the Bible, and its primary focus is on the holiness of God and His people. It contains many laws and regulations given to the Israelites by God, all of which were designed to set them apart as a holy nation. The book outlines various rituals for worship, including the sacrificial system, and provides laws on how to maintain ceremonial and moral purity.
Leviticus 20 is part of the Holiness Code, which spans chapters 17 to 26. These chapters focus on how the Israelites are to live a life of holiness, maintaining separation from the surrounding pagan nations. The moral and ethical laws found in Leviticus 20 were given to ensure that the Israelites would live according to God’s standards, avoiding practices that would defile them or bring shame upon their community.
The Laws of Leviticus 20
Leviticus 20 addresses various sins that threaten the purity of the Israelite community. These sins include idolatry, child sacrifice, sexual immorality, and various forms of defilement. In each case, the law includes a severe penalty, often death, for those who transgress. The purpose of these laws was not only to uphold justice but also to purify the community and maintain the holiness of the nation.
In this context, Leviticus 20:17 is part of a series of laws related to sexual immorality. The passage addresses incest, which was seen as a major violation of God’s moral law. The punishment for this offense was death, a reflection of the seriousness with which God viewed such sins.
Leviticus 20:17 (KJV)
Here is the full text of Leviticus 20:17 in the King James Version (KJV):
“And if a man shall take his sister, his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing: and they shall be cut off in the sight of the people: he hath uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.”
Breaking Down the Verse
“And if a man shall take his sister, his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter”: This refers to a man taking his sister (whether by his father or mother) as a sexual partner. The Bible strictly forbids incest, and this verse specifically addresses sexual relations between siblings.
“And see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness”: The phrase “see her nakedness” refers to engaging in sexual activity with her. In the Bible, the concept of “nakedness” often symbolizes sexual relations or the exposure of one’s intimate parts.
“It is a wicked thing”: The verse emphasizes that incest is not only immoral but also wicked in the sight of God. This sin violates the natural order established by God and goes against His commandments for sexual purity.
“And they shall be cut off in the sight of the people”: The punishment for incest in this context is that both the man and the woman involved shall be “cut off” or excommunicated from the people of Israel. In some cases, this could also mean death, as prescribed in other parts of Leviticus for serious transgressions.
“He hath uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity”: The phrase “uncovered his sister’s nakedness” is another way of saying that the man has had sexual relations with his sister. The verse affirms that the responsibility for this sin lies with the man, who will bear the consequences of his iniquity.
Leviticus 20:17 Meaning
The Seriousness of Incest
The sin of incest is condemned in Leviticus 20:17 as a “wicked thing.” In the Bible, incest is seen as a violation of the natural family order and a defilement of the sacred institution of marriage. It also represents a corruption of the purity that God desires for His people. The term “uncovered nakedness” is often used in the Bible to refer to sexual sin, and the violation of this law is viewed as a serious offense that disrupts both the individual’s moral integrity and the integrity of the community.
The Violation of Family Boundaries
Family is a cornerstone of biblical society. The structure of the family unit was seen as a reflection of God’s order in creation. The relationship between a father and a daughter or between siblings is meant to be one of care, protection, and respect. The act of incest distorts this sacred relationship, replacing familial love with a form of selfish exploitation.
Leviticus 20:17 underscores the importance of maintaining clear and holy boundaries within the family. The family was meant to be a place of safety and support, not a place of exploitation or immorality. By prohibiting incest, the Bible is emphasizing the need to honor the relationships that are meant to be pure and sacred.
The Punishment for Incest
The severity of the punishment for incest in Leviticus 20:17—being “cut off” from the people—reflects the seriousness of the offense. In ancient Israel, the concept of being “cut off” often meant being excommunicated from the community, which was a serious penalty. The community of Israel was meant to remain holy and pure, and any behavior that defiled the community had to be dealt with harshly to prevent it from spreading.
Although Christians are no longer subject to the Old Testament legal code, the principle that sin has consequences remains true. The New Testament teaches that believers are to avoid sexual immorality and live according to God’s standards of holiness (1 Corinthians 6:18). Sin still has consequences, and the biblical call to holiness continues to be relevant today.
Leviticus 20:17 Application in Life
The Importance of Family Purity
One of the key lessons from Leviticus 20:17 is the importance of purity within the family. The family unit is a reflection of God’s design for human relationships. It is meant to be a place of love, trust, and mutual respect. When the boundaries of the family are violated, it causes deep harm not only to the individuals involved but also to the broader community.
In today’s world, the sanctity of family relationships is still critical. Although incest is not a common issue in most contemporary societies, the principle behind this law remains relevant. Christians are called to uphold the sanctity of family relationships, promoting healthy and respectful interactions between family members. Sexual immorality, including adultery, pornography, and other forms of sexual misconduct, also violate the purity of the family unit.
Honoring God’s Design for Sexuality
Leviticus 20:17 highlights the importance of maintaining sexual purity. The Bible’s teachings on sexuality are clear: sexual intimacy is a gift from God, but it is to be exercised only within the context of marriage between one man and one woman. Any sexual act outside of this boundary—whether incest, adultery, or premarital sex—is seen as sinful and contrary to God’s design.
For Christians today, this passage serves as a reminder to honor God with our bodies and to resist the temptation to engage in any form of sexual immorality. The Bible calls us to flee from sexual temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18) and to keep our hearts and minds pure (Matthew 5:28).
The Need for Accountability and Justice
Leviticus 20:17 also teaches the importance of justice within the community. While the penalties outlined in the Old Testament are no longer enforced in the same way today, the principle of addressing sin within the community remains important. Christians are called to help each other live in accordance with God’s will, holding one another accountable in love and humility.
Church leaders, families, and Christian communities must maintain a strong commitment to righteousness, helping individuals avoid sinful behaviors and offering support when they fall short. While the grace of God is available to forgive sins, the church should still take sin seriously and encourage holiness within its community.
The Call to Repentance and Forgiveness
Finally, Leviticus 20:17 points us to the need for repentance. While the law required harsh penalties for sin, the overarching story of Scripture is one of grace and redemption. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ offers forgiveness for all sins, including sexual immorality. No matter what sin a person has committed, God offers forgiveness through faith in Christ.
Christians are called to live lives of repentance, turning away from sin and turning toward God. Repentance involves not only confessing sin but also seeking to live in accordance with God’s will. For those who have fallen into sexual sin, this passage reminds them of the need for restoration and the possibility of new life in Christ.
Conclusion
Leviticus 20:17 serves as a solemn reminder of God’s standards for sexual purity and the importance of maintaining holiness within the family. The law against incest, though no longer applicable in the same way under the New Covenant, teaches valuable lessons about God’s design for human relationships, the sanctity of the family, and the need for justice and purity in the community.
Christians today are still called to live according to God’s moral standards, avoiding sexual immorality and striving for holiness in all areas of life. This passage reminds us that sin has consequences, but it also points us to the grace of God, who offers forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ.
In a world that often rejects God’s design for sexuality, Leviticus 20:17 challenges us to uphold the principles of purity, justice, and holiness. As we seek to live faithfully, we must honor God’s laws and honor the relationships He has given us, especially within the family.
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