The Bible addresses incest as a serious issue, setting clear boundaries for family relationships. These laws were meant to protect families and maintain respect within family bonds. Explore the reasons behind these teachings and how they reflect broader principles of respect and purity in the Bible.
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What Does The Bible Say About Incest
Genesis 19:31-36
One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man around here to give us children—as is the custom all over the earth. Let’s get our father to drink wine and then sleep with him and preserve our family line through our father.” That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and slept with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I slept with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.” So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father.
This passage tells the story of Lot’s daughters who resorted to incestuous relationships with their father to preserve their family line. It highlights the extreme actions taken in a time of desperation and the consequences that follow such actions. Incest is a sin and goes against God’s design for sexual relationships within the boundaries of marriage. This passage serves as a warning against seeking sinful means to fulfill our desires and emphasizes the importance of adhering to God’s moral standards.
Leviticus 18:6
No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.
In this verse, God establishes a clear boundary against incestuous relationships. He forbids any sexual relations between close relatives, emphasizing the importance of purity and holiness in sexual conduct. This commandment serves as a guideline for maintaining healthy family relationships and preventing the breakdown of societal norms.
Leviticus 20:11
If a man has sexual relations with his father’s wife, he has dishonored his father. Both the man and the woman are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
This verse addresses the specific sin of a man having sexual relations with his father’s wife, which includes both adultery and incest. It shows the severity of such actions by prescribing the death penalty for both individuals involved. God’s law in this regard demonstrates the importance of respecting family relationships and upholding the sanctity of marriage.
Deuteronomy 27:20-23
Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations with his father’s wife, for he has dishonored his father. Then all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations with any animal. Then all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother. Then all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations with his mother-in-law. Then all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
This passage lists several forms of forbidden sexual relationships, including incestuous relationships with a father’s wife, with a sister, or with one’s mother-in-law. The curses pronounced upon those who engage in these acts highlight the moral depravity and violation of family bonds that result from such actions. These prohibitions serve as a reminder of the need for sexual integrity and respect within the family unit.
2 Samuel 13:1-14
In the course of time, Amnon, son of David, fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her. Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” “Go to bed and pretend to be ill,” Jonadab said. “When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.'” So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “I would like my sister Tamar to come and make some special bread in my sight, so I may eat from her hand.” David sent word to Tamar at the palace, “Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare some food for him.” So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. Then she took the pan and served him the bread, but he refused to eat. “Send everyone out of here,” Amnon said, so everyone left him. Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food here into my bedroom so I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, “Come to bed with me, my sister.” “No, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her. Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!”
This passage recounts the tragic story of Amnon’s incestuous desire for his half-sister Tamar. Amnon’s actions highlight the destructive consequences of uncontrolled lust and go against God’s commands regarding sexual relationships within the family. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating the pain, shame, and brokenness that result from engaging in incestuous acts.
1 Corinthians 5:1-2
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?
This verse addresses a specific case of incestuous behavior within the Corinthian church. Paul confronts the believers for tolerating such sexual immorality, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense. He calls for the discipline of the individual involved, highlighting the need for the church to uphold moral standards and maintain purity within its community.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
In this verse, Paul urges believers to flee from sexual immorality, including incestuous relationships. He emphasizes the unique nature of sexual sins, which not only affect relationships with others but also defile the individual’s own body. This passage serves as a reminder for Christians to strive for purity and righteousness in their thoughts, desires, and actions, including abstaining from incestuous behavior.
Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In this passage, incest falls under the category of sexual immorality, which is listed among the “acts of the flesh.” Paul warns believers that those who persist in living according to such sinful desires will not inherit the kingdom of God. This passage emphasizes the need for sincere repentance, turning away from sinful behaviors, and living in accordance with God’s moral standards.
Ephesians 5:3
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Paul exhorts the Ephesian believers to maintain a high standard of holiness and purity, emphasizing that not even a hint of sexual immorality should be found among them. Incestuous relationships are included in this admonition, emphasizing the need for God’s holy people to separate themselves from such sinful practices and strive for moral integrity.
Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
This verse calls Christians to put to death the sinful desires of their earthly nature, including sexual immorality. Incestuous relationships represent a distortion of God’s design for human sexuality and are sinful in nature. Believers are urged to turn away from such behaviors and instead pursue purity, honoring God with their bodies.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.
Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers of God’s desire for their sanctification, which includes abstaining from sexual immorality. Incest is explicitly mentioned as a form of sexual immorality that believers should avoid. This passage emphasizes the importance of self-control and living in a manner that reflects God’s holiness and honor.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
In this verse, the writer of Hebrews affirms the sanctity of marriage and emphasizes the need to keep the marriage bed pure. Incestuous relationships violate the sacredness of marriage and fall under the category of sexual immorality. Believers are reminded that God will judge those who engage in such sinful behavior, underscoring the importance of upholding the integrity of marital relationships and sexual purity.
James 1:14-15
But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
This passage addresses the process of temptation and sin. Incestuous desires, like other forms of sexual immorality, arise from evil desires within a person. These desires, when entertained and acted upon, lead to sin and ultimately result in spiritual death. Believers are encouraged to be vigilant against the allure of sinful desires, seeking God’s guidance and strength to resist and overcome temptation.
1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy because I am holy.”
Peter urges believers to live in holiness, contrasting their current state as obedient children of God with their former lives of ignorance and evil desires. Incestuous desires and behaviors are among the evil desires that believers are called to reject. This passage underscores the importance of reflecting God’s holiness in every aspect of life, including sexual conduct.
1 Corinthians 10:8
We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.
Paul reminds the Corinthians of the consequences of sexual immorality by referring to the incident of the Israelites engaging in sexual immorality and idolatry with the Moabite women. As a result, a plague struck, resulting in the death of twenty-three thousand people. This serves as a severe warning against participating in any form of sexual immorality, including incestuous relationships.
2 Peter 2:6
If he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
The mention of Sodom and Gomorrah in this verse serves as a reminder of the severe judgment of God upon those who engage in sexual immorality. Incestuous relationships, like the immoral acts of the inhabitants of these cities, are contrary to God’s design for human sexuality and will face divine judgment. This verse encourages believers to avoid such sinful behavior and walk in righteousness.
Jude 1:7
In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
This verse reiterates the sexual immorality and perversion of Sodom and Gomorrah and emphasizes the eternal consequences of such actions. Incestuous relationships are included in the scope of sexual immorality and serve as a reminder of the severity of God’s judgment against those who engage in such sinful behavior.
1 Timothy 1:9-10
We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.
Paul delineates various types of sinful behavior, including sexual immorality, that the law is made for. Incestuous relationships fall under the category of sexual immorality and are contrary to sound doctrine. This passage serves as a reminder that God’s laws and moral standards apply to all aspects of life, including sexual relationships within the family.
Romans 1:26-27
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Although this passage primarily addresses same-sex relationships, it reveals a broader principle regarding sexual immorality. Incestuous relationships, which are unnatural and go against God’s design, fall under the umbrella of sexual immorality. This verse highlights the consequences that accompany such sinful actions and serves as a reminder to uphold God’s intended order for sexual relationships.
1 Corinthians 7:2
But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.
This verse emphasizes the importance of sexual relations occurring exclusively within the context of marriage. Incestuous relationships violate this principle by involving individuals who are closely related within the family. Believers are encouraged to maintain sexual purity by engaging in sexual relations solely with their own spouse, as ordained by God.