None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.
None of you should have sexual relations with anyone who is a close family member: I am the LORD.
God is establishing clear boundaries about sexual relationships within families, forbidding intimate relations between close relatives.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Leviticus, God provided the Israelites with a series of laws through Moses while they were encamped in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, as part of establishing a holy community distinct from surrounding pagan cultures. This verse specifically addresses sexual purity within family lines, prohibiting incestuous relations to protect social order and reflect God's standards of holiness. These instructions were given to set the Israelites apart from the immoral practices prevalent in nations like Egypt and Canaan, which often included familial abuses.
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