Albert Barnes Commentary Leviticus 18
Albert Barnes Commentary
Leviticus 18
Albert Barnes Commentary
Leviticus 18
"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am Jehovah your God." — Leviticus 18:2 (ASV)
I am, the Lord your God — The frequent repetition of this formula in these parts of the Law may be intended to remind the Israelites of their covenant with Yahweh in connection with the common affairs of life, where they might be tempted to look at legal restrictions in a mere secular light.
"After 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." — Leviticus 18:3 (ASV)
See the Leviticus 18:24-30 note.
"Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and mine ordinances; which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am Jehovah." — Leviticus 18:5 (ASV)
If a man keeps the statutes (that is, the ordinances of Leviticus 18:4) and judgments of the divine law, he shall not be cut off from his people , he shall gain true life, the life which connects him with Yahweh through his obedience. See the margin reference and Luke 10:28; Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:12.
"None of you shall approach to any that are near of kin to him, to uncover [their] nakedness: I am Jehovah." — Leviticus 18:6 (ASV)
Near of kin — The term was evidently used to denote only those who came within certain limits of consanguinity, together with those who by affinity were regarded in the same relationship.
To uncover their nakedness — that is, to have sexual intercourse. The immediate object of this law was to forbid incest.
"The nakedness of thy father, even the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness." — Leviticus 18:7 (ASV)
Or - It might be rendered “and”, or rather, even; that is, which belongs to both parents as being one flesh (Genesis 2:24; compare Leviticus 18:8, Leviticus 18:14). These prohibitions are addressed to men.
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