Colin Snow
The Bible contains several references to the prohibition of a man having sexual relations with his brother's wife. In Leviticus 18:16, it is stated that you must not have sexual relations with your brother's wife; that would shame your brother. This prohibition is further reinforced in Leviticus 20:21, which describes such an act as an act of impurity and warns that the offenders shall be childless. Despite these clear prohibitions, there are also instances in the Bible where this act is presented as a duty or a moral obligation. For example, in Genesis 38:8-11, Judah instructs Onan to sleep with your brother's widow to keep your brother's line alive. However, Onan refuses and is punished by God. This complex issue, with its mix of prohibitions and exceptions, has been the subject of much discussion and interpretation by biblical scholars and theologians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of the act | Evil, shameful, dishonourable, impure, sinful, wicked, sinful |
| Reasoning | It is your brother's nakedness |
| Consequence | Childlessness |
| Exception | Levirate marriage, in which a man is obliged to marry his brother's widow to raise offspring for his brother |
What You'll Learn
It is an act of impurity
The Bible contains several references to the act of sleeping with one's brother's wife. In Leviticus, it is stated that a man who sleeps with his brother's wife commits an act of impurity, shaming and dishonouring his brother. This act is considered a serious offense, bringing disgrace not only to the individuals involved but to the entire community.
The story of Judah, Onan, and Tamar in Genesis provides an example of the consequences of such an act. Judah instructed his son, Onan, to sleep with his brother's widow, Tamar, to continue his brother's line. However, Onan refused to provide an heir for his brother and instead spilled his semen on the ground, which greatly displeased God, who took Onan's life.
The Bible also mentions the Law of Levirate Marriage, which requires a man to marry his brother's widow to continue his lineage. This law was practiced in patriarchal times, as seen in the story of Judah and Tamar, and is referenced in Deuteronomy 25:5-10.
The act of sleeping with one's brother's wife is considered a violation of the sanctity of marriage and family relationships. It is a direct command in the Bible, emphasizing the prohibition of certain sexual behaviours to maintain holiness and purity within the community.
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It shames your brother
The Bible contains several references to the act of sleeping with one's brother's wife. In Leviticus, it is stated that sleeping with one's brother's wife is evil and brings dishonour to the brother. This act is prohibited in ancient Israel, where family was the cornerstone of society and upholding family honour and dignity was of utmost importance.
The story of Judah, Onan, and Tamar in Genesis provides an example of the consequences of such an act. Judah instructed Onan to sleep with Tamar, his brother's widow, to continue his brother's line. However, Onan was aware that any child conceived would not be his own, so he spilled his semen on the ground to avoid impregnating Tamar. This act displeased God, who took Onan's life.
The phrase "that would shame your brother" in Leviticus 18:16 highlights the social and relational consequences of sleeping with one's brother's wife. The Hebrew word for shame, "חֶרְפָּה" (cherpah), conveys a sense of disgrace or dishonour. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, bringing shame upon a family member was a grave offence, impacting not just the individuals but the entire community.
The prohibition of sleeping with one's brother's wife underscores the sanctity of marriage and family relationships in ancient Israelite society. The Hebrew term for brother, "אָח" (ach), signifies a close kinship bond, and the wife, "אִשָּׁה" (ishah), is to be respected as part of the sacred union. This injunction serves to protect the family structure and uphold the honour of the marital covenant.
Overall, the biblical passages on this topic convey a strong message of the immorality and dishonour associated with sleeping with one's brother's wife, emphasising the importance of maintaining family honour and integrity in ancient Israelite society.
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It is evil
The Bible is clear that a man sleeping with his brother's wife is evil. In Leviticus 18:16, it is stated that "you must not have sexual relations with your brother's wife; that would shame your brother". This act is seen as a violation of the brother and a disgrace to the family honour and dignity.
The Bible also provides an example of this in the story of Onan, who was killed by God for sleeping with his brother's widow. In Genesis 38:8-11, Judah tells Onan to "sleep with [his] brother's widow" and "raise up offspring for [his] brother". However, Onan knew that any child produced would not be his own, so he "spilled his semen on the ground" to prevent his brother from having an heir. This act was considered evil and wicked in the Lord's sight, and as a result, God took Onan's life.
The story of Onan highlights the seriousness of violating the sanctity of marriage and family relationships. The Bible places great importance on sexual morality and honouring the marital covenant. Sleeping with one's brother's wife is seen as a transgression against God and the community, bringing shame upon the family and affecting the entire social structure of ancient Israelite society.
Furthermore, the Bible's condemnation of this act extends beyond mere sexual relations. In Leviticus 20:21, it is stated that "if a man marries his brother's wife, it is an act of impurity. He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they shall be childless". This suggests that the Bible views such a union as impure and dishonourable, leading to a curse of childlessness.
Overall, the Bible is clear that sleeping with one's brother's wife is an evil act that brings dishonour and shame. It is a violation of the brother, the family, and the sacred union of marriage. Such an act is seen as a serious offense against God and the community, leading to severe consequences.
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It is a disgrace
The Bible is clear in its condemnation of a man having sexual relations with his brother's wife. In Leviticus 18:16, the Bible states: "Do not have sexual relations with your brother's wife; that would dishonor your brother". The phrase "that would shame your brother" conveys the disgrace and dishonor of such an act, which was considered a serious offense in the cultural context of ancient Israel.
The Hebrew word for shame, "חֶרְפָּה" (cherpah), signifies the social and relational consequences of bringing shame upon a family member. This act was not only seen as a personal transgression but also had communal implications, affecting not just the individuals involved but the entire community. This reflects the importance of upholding family honor and dignity in ancient Israelite society.
The Bible story of Onan and Er's widow further illustrates this point. In Genesis 38:8-11, Judah tells Onan to "sleep with [his] brother's widow" and "raise up offspring for [his] brother". However, Onan knew that any child produced would not be his own, so he "spilled his semen on the ground" to prevent his brother's widow from becoming pregnant. This act deeply offended God, who took Onan's life as a consequence.
The Bible's stance on this matter is unequivocal, and it is considered a disgraceful and dishonorable act to have sexual relations with one's brother's wife. This prohibition was instituted to protect the sanctity of marriage and family relationships, maintaining the integrity of the family unit, which was the cornerstone of society in ancient Israel.
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It is forbidden
The Bible is clear in its stance on a man having sexual relations with his brother's wife. Leviticus 18:16 states: "Do not have sexual relations with your brother's wife; that would dishonour your brother". The Hebrew term for brother signifies a close kinship bond, and the wife is to be respected as part of that sacred union. This prohibition protects the family structure and honours the marital covenant.
In the Book of Genesis, the story of Judah, Onan, and Tamar illustrates the consequences of breaking this commandment. Judah tells his son Onan to "sleep with [his] brother's widow" and "raise up offspring for [his] brother". However, Onan refuses to do so, spilling his semen on the ground instead. This act displeases God, who takes Onan's life.
The Bible also addresses the issue of a man marrying his brother's widow, which is considered an act of impurity and a violation of the brother's marriage bed. This is seen in Deuteronomy 25:5, where it is stated that if brothers dwell together and one dies without a child, the surviving brother has a duty to marry the widow and "perform the duty of a husband's brother".
Overall, the Bible prohibits a man from having sexual relations with his brother's wife, whether she is a widow or not, as it is considered a violation of the brotherly bond and a dishonour to the family.
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Frequently asked questions
Leviticus 18:16 states, "Do not have sexual relations with your brother's wife; that would dishonor your brother."
In the Bible, God killed Onan for "spilling his seed on the ground" and refusing to impregnate his deceased brother's wife.
Onan knew that the child wouldn't be his, so he didn't want to provide an heir for his dead brother.
God was offended by Onan's actions and considered it wicked.
In Deuteronomy 25:5, it is stated that if brothers dwell together and one dies without a child, the surviving brother is expected to marry the widow to "raise up offspring" for his brother.
