Leviticus 18:16 net — You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; she is your brother’s nakedness.

NET Bible

"You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; she is your brother’s nakedness."

— Leviticus 18:16, NET Bible

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Leviticus 18:16 in Other Translations

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Leviticus 18 — Context

13

You must not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s flesh.

14

You must not expose the nakedness of your father’s brother; you must not approach his wife to have marital relations with her. She is your aunt.

15

You must not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law; she is your son’s wife. You must not have sexual relations with her.

16

You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; she is your brother’s nakedness.

17

You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter; you must not take as wife either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter to have sexual relations with them. They are closely related to her– it is lewdness.

18

You must not take a woman in marriage and then marry her sister as a rival wife while she is still alive, to have sexual relations with her.

19

“‘You must not approach a woman in her menstrual impurity to have sexual relations with her.

Leviticus 18:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Leviticus 18:16 say?
Leviticus 18:16 in the NET Bible reads: “You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; she is your brother’s nakedness.”
Where is Leviticus 18:16 in the Bible?
Leviticus 18:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Leviticus, chapter 18, verse 16.
Who wrote Leviticus?
Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Leviticus about?
Leviticus is Israel's handbook for holy living in the presence of a holy God. It details the sacrificial system, priestly duties, dietary and purity laws, and the festivals — all teaching that sin requires atonement and that God's people are called to be set apart.
What are the major themes of Leviticus?
Leviticus explores themes including Holiness, Sacrifice, Atonement, Priesthood, Purity. These themes shape the meaning and context of Leviticus 18:16.
What translation should I read Leviticus 18:16 in?
Leviticus 18:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Leviticus 18:16?
Leviticus 18:16 reads (NET): “You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; she is your brother’s nakedness.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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