7 "Don't violate your father by having sex with your mother. She is your mother. Don't have sex with her. 8 "Don't have sex with your father's wife. That violates your father. 9 "Don't have sex with your sister, whether she's your father's daughter or your mother's, whether she was born in the same house or elsewhere. 10 "Don't have sex with your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter. That would violate your own body. 11 "Don't have sex with the daughter of your father's wife born to your father. She is your sister. 12 "Don't have sex with your father's sister; she is your aunt, closely related to your father. 13 "Don't have sex with your mother's sister; she is your aunt, closely related to your mother. 14 "Don't violate your father's brother, your uncle, by having sex with his wife. She is your aunt. 15 "Don't have sex with your daughter-in-law. She is your son's wife; don't have sex with her. 16 "Don't have sex with your brother's wife; that would violate your brother.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 18:7-16
Chapter Contents
Unlawful marriages and fleshly lusts.
Here is a law against all conformity to the corrupt usages of the heathen. Also laws against incest, against brutal lusts, and barbarous idolatries; and the enforcement of these laws from the ruin of the Canaanites. God here gives moral precepts. Close and constant adherence to God's ordinances is the most effectual preservative from gross sin. The grace of God only will secure us; that grace is to be expected only in the use of the means of grace. Nor does He ever leave any to their hearts' lusts, till they have left him and his services.