Leviticus 20:14

And if a man take a wife, and her mother, it is wickednesse: They shalbe burnt with fire, both he and they, that there be no wickednesse among you. Leviticus 20:14 (KJV)

This verse belongs to the Old Testament book of Leviticus, a collection of laws and regulations given to the Israelites by God through Moses. Leviticus 20:14 specifically addresses the situation of a man taking both a woman and her mother as wives.

Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient Israel marriage was regarded as a sacred covenant ordained by God. The laws recorded in Leviticus were intended to regulate many aspects of daily life, including marriage, so that the community might remain holy and the social order could be preserved.

Prohibition and Consequences: Leviticus 20:14 explicitly forbids a man from marrying both a woman and her mother, describing the act as wickedness and an abomination before God. The prescribed penalty was severe—both the man and the two women were to be burnt with fire. This harsh punishment was meant to remove the wickedness from among the people.

Moral and Spiritual Implications: The prohibition safeguards the established order of marriage and family, which is to be based on mutual love, respect, and fidelity. A relationship that combines a wife and her mother would create confusion, disharmony, and potential harm within the family unit, and it violates the broader biblical bans on incestuous relationships that protect the integrity of kinship bonds.

Symbolic Meaning: Throughout Scripture marriage often serves as a metaphor for the covenant relationship between God and His people. In this light the ban against a man taking a wife and her mother underscores the purity and exclusivity of that divine covenant, urging believers to remain faithful and to avoid any form of spiritual unfaithfulness or idolatry.

Application for Today: While the specific civil and ceremonial regulations of the Old Covenant are not binding on Christians under the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus Christ, the moral principles rooted in God’s unchanging character continue to be relevant. The verse reminds believers to honor God’s design for marriage and family, to cultivate relationships grounded in love, faithfulness, and mutual respect, and to shun any wickedness that would undermine the sanctity and purpose of marriage.

In conclusion, Leviticus 20:14 highlights the prohibition against a man marrying both a woman and her mother, emphasizing the importance of upholding the sanctity of marriage, promoting fidelity, and avoiding practices that deviate from God’s established order. Christians can draw from this passage the underlying principles that guide healthy, God‑honoring relationships today.