“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman.”
In Leviticus, God provided a set of laws and regulations to guide the Israelites in their daily lives, establishing standards for their conduct and holiness. Leviticus 18: focuses on various sexual relationships and acts that are considered forbidden or unlawful.
In Leviticus 18:13, the specific prohibition is against uncovering the nakedness of one’s mother’s sister. This phrase “uncover the nakedness” refers to sexual relations. In this context, it means engaging in sexual activity with the person mentioned.
The reason given for this prohibition is that the mother’s sister is considered the mother’s near kinswoman. The phrase “near kinswoman” indicates a close blood relation. In this case, the mother’s sister is closely related to the individual’s mother, making her a close relative as well. Engaging in sexual relations with a close relative, such as one’s mother’s sister, is considered incestuous and therefore forbidden by God’s law.
It’s important to note that the laws found in Leviticus were given specifically to the Israelites during the time of the Old Testament. They served as guidelines to distinguish the Israelites from other nations and to maintain their holiness as a people set apart for God’s purposes. These laws also had practical implications for maintaining health, social order, and familial structure within the community.
However, as Christians, we must interpret these Old Testament laws in light of the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, we see that Jesus came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17), and the apostles provided further guidance on how the Old Testament laws apply to believers in Christ.
In light of the New Testament teachings, we understand that the ceremonial and ritualistic laws of the Old Testament, including many of the laws in Leviticus, are no longer binding on Christians. The moral principles underlying these laws, such as love for God and love for others, remain relevant.
Regarding the specific prohibition in Leviticus 18:13, Christians are guided by the broader biblical principles of sexual purity and avoiding sexual immorality. In the New Testament, various passages address the topic of sexual ethics and emphasize the importance of maintaining sexual relations within the boundaries of marriage between one man and one woman.
Ultimately, Leviticus 18:13 serves as a reminder of the moral standards set by God for the Israelites in the Old Testament. As Christians, we should seek to understand the principles and values that underlie these laws and apply them to our lives in a way that reflects the teachings of Jesus and promotes holiness, purity, and love for God and others.
