Leviticus 20:11

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 20:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the man that lieth with his father`s wife hath uncovered his father`s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the man that lieth with his father`s wife hath uncovered his father`s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Leviticus 20:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11And the man that lieth with his father`s wife hath uncovered his father`s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the man that lieth with his father’s wife, etc.] Whether she be his mother, or another woman, as the Targum of Jonathan; that is, whether she is his own mother, or a stepmother, or whether he did this in the lifetime of his father, or after his death, or whether she was betrothed or married, it mattered not; according to the Jewish tradition f722, this is a breach of the law, (<031808>Leviticus 18:8); and a man guilty of this hath uncovered his father’s nakedness; and which is a foul and shameful piece of wickedness; the penalty follows: both of them shall be put to death; by casting stones on them, as the Targum of Jonathan adds; for, as before observed, wherever the following phrase,…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:11 See study note on 18:7-8. This injunction made it clear that the crime was seen as both incest and adultery.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Lev 18:8; Deu 27:20, Deu 27:23; Amo 2:7; Co1 5:1 their: Lev 20:9 Leviticus 20:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification