Forbidden Unions

Leviticus 18

The Lord instructs Israel not to follow the practices of Egypt or Canaan, and lists the close relatives and other persons with whom sexual relations are forbidden, along with the giving of children to Moloch, warning that the land itself becomes defiled by such acts.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAGAIN the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων,

KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:

ThomsonSpeak to the children of Israel; and thou shalt say unto them, I the Lord am your God;

BrentonSpeak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, I am the Lord your God.

Greekλάλησον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς, ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν.

KJVSpeak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God.

JPSSpeak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: I am the LORD your God.

Thomsonyou shall not do according to the customs of Egypt, in which you sojourned; nor shall you do according to the customs of the land of Chanaan, to which I am leading you; you shall not walk by their ordinances.

BrentonYe shall not do according to the devices of Egypt, in which ye dwelt: and according to the devices of the land of Chanaan, into which I bring you, ye shall not do; and ye shall not walk in their ordinances.

GreekΚατὰ τὰ ἐπιτηδεύματα Αἰγύπτου, ἐν ᾗ κατῳκήσατε ἐπʼ αὐτῇ, οὐ ποιήσετε· καὶ κατὰ τὰ ἐπιτηδεύματα γῆς Χαναὰν, εἰς ἣν ἐγὼ εἰσάγω ὑμᾶς ἐκεῖ, οὐ ποιήσετε, καὶ τοῖς νομίμοις αὐτῶν οὐ πορεύσεσθε.

KJVAfter the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.

JPSAfter the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do; and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do; neither shall ye walk in their statutes.

ThomsonYou shall execute My judgments, and keep My statutes, and walk by them; I the Lord am your God,

BrentonYe shall observe my judgments, and shall keep my ordinances, and shall walk in them: I am the Lord your God.

GreekΤὰ κρίματά μου ποιήσετε, καὶ τὰ προστάγματά μου φυλάξεσθε, καὶ πορεύεσθε ἐν αὐτοῖς· ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν.

KJVYe shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.

JPSMine ordinances shall ye do, and My statutes shall ye keep, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.

Thomsontherefore you shall keep all My commandments, and all My judgments, and execute them, which if a man do he shall live thereby.

BrentonSo ye shall keep all my ordinances, and all my judgments, and do them; which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord your God.

GreekΚαὶ φυλάξεσθε πάντα τὰ προστάγματά μου, καὶ πάντα τὰ κρίματά μου, καὶ ποιήσετε αὐτά· ἃ ποιήσας αὐτὰ ἄνθρωπος, ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς· ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν.

KJVYe shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.

JPSYe shall therefore keep My statutes, and Mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.

ThomsonI the Lord am your God; no man, be he who he may, shall approach to near relations of his own flesh to uncover their nakedness. I am the Lord;

BrentonNo man shall draw nigh to any of his near kindred to uncover their nakedness; I am the Lord.

GreekἌνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος πρὸς πάντα οἰκεῖα σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ οὐ προσελεύσεται ἀποκαλύψαι ἀσχημοσύνην· ἐγὼ Κύριος.

KJVNone of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.

JPSNone of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness. I am the LORD.

Thomsonthe nakedness of thy father, that is the nakedness of thy mother, thou shalt not uncover; for she is thy mother, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

BrentonThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, for she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

GreekἈσχημοσύνην πατρός σου καὶ ἀσχημοσύνην μητρός σου οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις, μήτηρ γάρ σου ἐστὶν, οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην αὐτῆς.

KJVThe nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

JPSThe nakedness of thy father, and the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

ThomsonThe nakedness of thy father’s wife thou shalt not uncover; for it is thy father’s nakedness.

BrentonThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's wife; it is thy father's nakedness.

GreekἈσχημοσύνην γυναικὸς πατρός σου οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις, ἀσχημοσύνη πατρός σου ἐστίν.

KJVThe nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.

JPSThe nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.

ThomsonThe nakedness of thy sister by the same father or by the same mother, whether born at home or born abroad, their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.

BrentonThe nakedness of thy sister by thy father or by thy mother, born at home or abroad, their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.

GreekἈσχημοσύνην τῆς ἀδελφῆς σου ἐκ πατρός σου ἢ ἐκ μητρός σου, ἐνδογενοῦς ἢ γεγεννημένης ἔξω, οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις ἀσχημοσύνην αὐτῶν.

KJVThe 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.

JPSThe nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or the daughter of thy mother, whether born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover. .

ThomsonThe nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, their nakedness thou shalt not uncover, for it is thy own nakedness.

BrentonThe nakedness of thy son's daughter, or thy daughter's daughter, their nakedness thou shalt not uncover; because it is thy nakedness.

GreekἈσχημοσύνην θυγατρὸς υἱοῦ σου, ἢ θυγατρὸς θυγατρός σου, οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην αὐτῶν, ὅτι σὴ ἀσχημοσύνη ἐστίν.

KJVThe nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness.

JPSThe nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover; for theirs is thine own nakedness.

ThomsonThe nakedness of the daughter of thy father’s wife thou shalt not uncover; being of the same father she is thy sister: thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

BrentonThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of the daughter of thy father's wife; she is thy sister by the same father: thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

GreekἈσχημοσύνην θυγατρὸς γυναικὸς πατρός σου οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις, ὁμοπατρία ἀδελφή σου ἐστὶν, οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην αὐτῆς.

KJVThe nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

JPSThe nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

ThomsonThe nakedness of thy father’s sister thou shalt not uncover, for she is thy father’s near kinswoman.

BrentonThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister, for she is near akin to thy father.

GreekἈσχημοσύνην ἀδελφῆς πατρός σου οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις, οἰκεία γὰρ πατρός σου ἐστιν.

KJVThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman.

JPSThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman.

ThomsonThe nakedness of thy mother’s sister thou shalt not uncover; for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman.

BrentonThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, for she is near akin to thy mother.

GreekἈσχημοσύνην ἀδελφῆς μητρός σου οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις, οἰκεία γὰρ μητρός σου ἐστίν.

KJVThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman.

JPSThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister; for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman.

ThomsonThe nakedness of thy father’s brother thou shalt not uncover; thou shalt not go in unto his wife for she is thy near relation.

BrentonThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, and thou shalt not go in to his wife; for she is thy relation.

GreekἈσχημοσύνην ἀδελφοῦ τοῦ πατρός σου οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις, καὶ πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ οὐκ εἰσελεύσῃ, συγγενὴς γάρ σου ἐστίν.

KJVThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.

JPSThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy fathers brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.

ThomsonThe nakedness of thy daughter-in-law thou shalt not uncover; for she is thy son’s wife, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

BrentonThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter-in-law, for she is thy son's wife, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

GreekἈσχημοσύνην νύμφης σου οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις, γυνὴ γὰρ υἱοῦ σου ἐστὶν, οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην αὐτῆς.

KJVThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

JPSThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter-in-law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

ThomsonThe nakedness of thy brother’s wife thou shalt not uncover, it is the nakedness of thy brother.

BrentonThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness.

GreekἈσχημοσύνην γυναικὸς ἀδελφοῦ σου οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις, ἀσχημοσύνη ἀδελφοῦ σου ἐστίν.

KJVThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

JPSThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

ThomsonThe nakedness of a wife and of her daughter thou shalt not uncover. Thou shalt not take thy son’s daughter, nor thy daughter’s daughter to uncover their nakedness; for they are thy near kinswomen. It is wickedness.

BrentonThe nakedness of a woman and her daughter shalt thou not uncover; her son's daughter, and her daughter's daughter, shalt thou not take, to uncover their nakedness, for they are thy kinswomen: it is impiety.

GreekἈσχημοσύνην γυναικὸς καὶ θυγατρὸς αὐτῆς οὐκ ἀποκαλύψεις· τὴν θυγατέρα τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτῆς, καὶ τὴν θυγατέρα τῆς θυγατρὸς αὐτῆς οὐ λήψῃ ἀποκαλύψαι τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην αὐτῶν, οἰκεῖαι γάρ σου εἰσίν· ἀσέβημα ἐστι.

KJVThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.

JPSThou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; thou shalt not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness: they are near kinswomen; it is lewdness.

ThomsonIn addition to a sister thou shalt not take to wife a rival sister to uncover her nakedness while her sister is still living.

BrentonThou shalt not take a wife in addition to her sister, as a rival, to uncover her nakedness in opposition to her, while she is yet living.

GreekΓυναῖκα ἐπʼ ἀδελφῇ αὐτῆς οὐ λήψῃ ἀντίζηλον ἀποκαλύψαι τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην αὐτῆς ἐπʼ αὐτῇ, ἔτι ζώσης αὐτῆς.

KJVNeither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.

JPSAnd thou shalt not take a woman to her sister, to be a rival to her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her lifetime.

ThomsonAnd thou shalt not approach to a wife during the time of her separation for uncleanness, to uncover her nakedness:

BrentonAnd thou shalt not go in to a woman under separation for her uncleanness, to uncover her nakedness.

GreekΚαὶ πρὸς γυναῖκα ἐν χωρισμῷ ἀκαθαρσίας αὐτῆς οὐκ εἰσελεύσῃ ἀποκαλύψαι τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην αὐτῆς.

KJVAlso thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.

JPSAnd thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.

Thomsonand with thy neighbour’s wife thou shall not lie carnally to defile thyself with her.

BrentonAnd thou shalt not lie with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her.

GreekΚαὶ πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ πλησίον σου οὐ δώσεις κοίτην σπέρματός σου, ἐκμιανθῆναι πρὸς αὐτήν.

KJVMoreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.

JPSAnd thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.

ThomsonThou shalt not give any of thy seed to serve an Archon; nor shalt thou profane the holy name I the Lord.

BrentonAnd thou shalt not give of thy seed to serve a ruler; and thou shalt not profane my holy name; I am the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ σπέρματός σου οὐ δώσεις λατρεύειν ἄρχοντι· καὶ οὐ βεβηλώσεις τὸ ὄνομα τὸ ἅγιον· ἐγὼ Κύριος.

KJVAnd thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

JPSAnd thou shalt not give any of thy seed to set them apart to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

ThomsonThou shalt not lie with a man as with a woman; for it is an abomination.

BrentonAnd thou shalt not lie with a man as with a woman, for it is an abomination.

GreekΚαὶ μετὰ ἄρσενος οὐ κοιμηθήσῃ κοίτην γυναικείαν, βδέλυγμα γάρ ἐστι.

KJVThou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

JPSThou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination.

ThomsonNor shalt thou lie with any beast to pollute thyself with it; nor shall a woman be exposed to any beast to be pressed by it; for it is horrible.

BrentonNeither shalt thou lie with any quadruped for copulation, to be polluted with it: neither shall a woman present herself before any quadruped to have connexion with it; for it is an abomination.

GreekΚαὶ πρὸς πᾶν τετράπουν οὐ δώσεις τὴν κοίτην σου εἰς σπερματισμὸν, ἐκμιανθῆναι πρὸς αὐτό· καὶ γυνὴ οὐ στήσεται πρὸς πᾶν τετράπουν βιβασθῆναι· μυσαρὸν γάρ ἐστι.

KJVNeither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.

JPSAnd thou shalt not lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith; neither shall any woman stand before a beast, to lie down thereto; it is perversion.

ThomsonBe not polluted with any such things; for with all such things have those nations been polluted, which I drive out before you,

BrentonDo not defile yourselves with any of these things; for in all these things the nations are defiled, which I drive out before you,

GreekΜὴ μιαίνεσθε ἐν πᾶσι τούτοις· ἐν πᾶσι γὰρ τούτοις ἐμίανθησαν τὰ ἔθνη, ἃ ἐγὼ ἐξαποστέλλω πρὸ προσώπου ὑμῶν,

KJVDefile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

JPSDefile not ye yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations are defiled, which I cast out from before you.

Thomsonand the land hath been polluted, and for its sake I have retributed to them their iniquity, and the land is become a mortal enemy to them who dwell therein.

Brentonand the land is polluted; and I have recompensed their iniquity to them because of it, and the land is aggrieved with them that dwell upon it.

Greekκαὶ ἐξεμιάνθη ἡ γῆ καὶ ἀνταπέδωκα ἀδικίαν αὐτοῖς διʼ αὐτὴν, καὶ προσώχθισεν ἡ γῆ τοῖς ἐγκαθημένοις ἐπʼ αὐτῆς.

KJVAnd the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.

JPSAnd the land was defiled, therefore I did visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land vomited out her inhabitants.

ThomsonYou therefore shall keep all my institutions and all my ordinances; and none of you, neither the native, nor the proselyte who dwelleth among you, shall commit any of these abominations,

BrentonAnd ye shall keep all my statutes and all my ordinances, and ye shall do none of these abominations; neither the native, nor the stranger that joins himself with you:

GreekΚαὶ φυλάξεσθε πάντα τὰ νόμιμά μου, καὶ πάντα τὰ προστάγματά μου, καὶ οὐ ποιήσετε ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν βδελυγμάτων τούτων ὁ ἐγχώριος, καὶ ὁ προσγενόμενος προσήλυτος ἐν ὑμῖν·

KJVYe shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:

JPSYe therefore shall keep My statutes and Mine ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the home-born, nor the stranger that sojourneth among you—

Thomsonwhich the men of the country who were before you have committed, and by which the land hath been polluted;

Brenton(for all these abominations the men of the land did who were before you, and the land was defiled,)

Greek(Πάντα γὰρ τὰ βδελύγματα ταῦτα ἐποίησαν οἱ ἄνθρωποι τῆς γῆς, οἱ ὄντες πρότερον ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐμιάνθη ἡ γῆ·)

KJV(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)

JPSfor all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land is defiled—

Thomsonthat the land may not become a mortal enemy to you when you pollute it; as it hath been to those nations which were before you.

Brentonand lest the land be aggrieved with you in your polluting it, as it was aggrieved with the nations before you.

Greekκαὶ ἵνα μὴ προσοχθίσῃ ὑμῖν ἡ γῆ ἐν τῷ μιαίνειν ὑμᾶς αὐτὴν, ὃν τρόπον προσώχθισε τοῖς ἔθνεσι τοῖς πρὸ ὑμῶν.

KJVThat the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.

JPSthat the land vomit not you out also, when ye defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.

ThomsonFor whoever shall commit any of these abominations, the persons who shall commit them shall be cut off from among their people.

BrentonFor whosoever shall do any of these abominations, the souls that do them shall be destroyed from among their people.

GreekὍτι πᾶς ὃς ἐὰν ποιήσῃ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν βδελυγμάτων τούτων, ἐξολοθρευθήσονται αἱ ψυχαὶ αἱ ποιοῦσαι ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτῶν.

KJVFor whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.

JPSFor whosoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people.

ThomsonTherefore you shall keep My ordinances that you may not practise any of these abominable customs, which were practised before you. You shall not pollute yourselves with them: for I the Lord am your God.

BrentonAnd ye shall keep mine ordinances, that ye may not do any of the abominable practices, which have taken place before your time: and ye shall not be polluted in them; for I am the Lord your God.

GreekΚαὶ φυλάξετε τὰ προστάγματά μου, ὅπως μὴ ποιήσητε ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν νομίμων τῶν ἐβδελυγμένων, ἃ γέγονε πρὸ τοῦ ὑμᾶς· καὶ οὐ μιανθήσεσθε ἐν αὐτοῖς, ὅτι ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν.

KJVTherefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.

JPSTherefore shall ye keep My charge, that ye do not any of these abominable customs, which were done before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.