The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.
Don't have sexual relations with your sister - whether she's your father's daughter or your mother's daughter, whether she was born in your household or somewhere else - you must not have sexual relations with her.
This verse clearly prohibits sexual relationships between siblings, establishing a fundamental moral boundary for family relationships.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context, this verse from Leviticus is part of the Holiness Code given to the Israelites through Moses as they prepared to settle in the Promised Land, aiming to set them apart from the immoral practices of surrounding nations like the Canaanites. These laws emphasized moral purity and family integrity to maintain social order and reflect God's holiness among His people. Specifically, the prohibition against incestuous relations, such as with a sister, was a common ancient Near Eastern standard to prevent family breakdown and uphold community stability.
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