LEVITICUS 18. DEGREES OF AFFINITY. The chapter is closely connected in subject-matter with Leviticus 20:11, though the details are different, and the two sections must be independent. Leviticus 20 omits mention of mother (as distinct from father's wife), and the cases of Leviticus 18:10; Leviticus 1... [ Continue Reading ]
GENERAL WARNING AGAINST CONFORMITY TO INDIGENOUS PRACTICES. The phrase I am Yahweh is characteristic of Ezek. and H, occurring twenty-one times in Leviticus 18-20. If a command is understood as coming from Yahweh, it is thereby authoritative, but the legislation is also doing explicitly what is impl... [ Continue Reading ]
FORBIDDEN DEGREES OF MARRIAGE. After a general preface (Leviticus 18:6) the relationships are given in detail. The phrase uncover the nakedness is almost confined to Leviticus 17-20, Ezek., and Genesis 9. No penalties or consequences are given, though reasons are sometimes added (_e.g._ Leviticus 18... [ Continue Reading ]
APPENDICES. The grouping of offences is noteworthy, and the presence of Leviticus 18:21 (perhaps not original) with the rest. For Leviticus 18:19, see on Leviticus 15:24, and _cf._ Ezekiel 18:6. For Leviticus 18:20, _cf._ Exodus 20:14. If the characteristic words to defile thyself, were taken seriou... [ Continue Reading ]
EPILOGUE. These sins mean defilement for those who commit them, whether Canaanites or Israelites, and also for the land itself. Hence the land also must be punished, and will vomit out its inhabitants as so much unclean or noisome food (_cf._ Ezekiel 36:6 ff., Ezekiel 36:17). Leviticus 18:26 is para... [ Continue Reading ]