Leviticus 20:21

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 20:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And if a man shall take his brother`s wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brother`s nakedness; they shall be childless.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And if a man shall take his brother`s wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brother`s nakedness; they shall be childless.
Leviticus 20:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21And if a man shall take his brother`s wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brother`s nakedness; they shall be childless.

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 if a man shall take his brother’s wife, etc.] To his wife, whether in his life, as the Targum of Jonathan adds, or whether after his death, unless when there is no issue, then he was obliged to it by another law, (<052505>Deuteronomy 25:5); which is now ceased, and the law in (<031816>Leviticus 18:16); here referred to, stands clear of all exceptions: it [is] an unclean thing; or a “separation” f728 from which a man should remove and keep at a distance, as from menstruous women, of whom this word is used; and so denotes that it is by all means to be avoided, as an abominable and detestable thing; and it is observed that of all copulations it is only used of this: and the Jewish writers,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“His brother's wife - Except in the case allowed by God, Deu 25:5. Leviticus 20:27”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“his brother's: Lev 18:16; Mat 14:3, Mat 14:4 an unclean thing: Heb. a separation Leviticus 20:22”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification