Marrying cousins is a topic that can raise questions, and while cultural views vary, the Bible does address it. In the Old Testament, specific laws were given about familial relationships, and understanding these passages can help provide clarity on how such unions were viewed in a biblical context.
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What Does The Bible Say About Marrying Cousins
Leviticus 18:6
“None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the Lord.”
This verse explicitly forbids marrying close relatives, including cousins, as it emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper familial boundaries and purity.
Intermarriage between close relatives can lead to genetic disorders and potential harm to future generations. This biblical command ensures the well-being of families by discouraging unions that may disrupt God’s design for healthy relationships.
Leviticus 20:19
“You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister or of your father’s sister, for that is to make naked one’s relative; they shall bear their iniquity.”
This verse further clarifies that marrying cousins from the maternal or paternal side is explicitly prohibited, as it is considered a violation of familial boundaries.
Giving weight to the importance of familial relationships, the Bible sets clear guidelines to prevent any potential harm that may arise from close intermarriage.
Deuteronomy 27:22
“‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.'”
God explicitly curses those who engage in incestuous relationships with siblings, highlighting the severity of violating familial boundaries.
Marriage should be a sacred bond between individuals who are not closely related, ensuring healthy familial relationships and avoiding potential moral and genetic consequences.
1 Corinthians 5:1
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife.”
In this verse, Paul addresses a specific case of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church, where a man was involved in a relationship with his stepmother.
This example further emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper familial boundaries and avoiding any form of sexual immorality within family relationships.
2 Samuel 13:13
“As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the outrageous fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”
This verse recounts the tragic story of Amnon and Tamar, half-siblings who engaged in an incestuous relationship. Tamar highlights the shame and disgrace such actions bring upon individuals and families.
This narrative serves as a cautionary tale, revealing the consequences and emotional turmoil that can arise from disregarding God’s commandments regarding familial relationships.
Genesis 20:12
“Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife.”
Abraham, out of fear, referred to his wife Sarah as his sister to protect himself in a foreign land. This incident showcases the dangers that may arise when the boundaries of familial relationships are blurred.
Although circumstances may arise where individuals may feel compelled to bend the rules, the Bible reminds us of the importance of maintaining clear boundaries in order to preserve familial integrity.
Deuteronomy 23:2
“No one born of a forbidden union may enter the assembly of the Lord. Even to the tenth generation, none of his descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord.”
This verse highlights the consequences for individuals who are born from forbidden unions, including those who violate the rules surrounding close familial relationships.
God’s commandments serve as a reminder that choices made within family relationships have long-lasting implications that can affect multiple generations.
Genesis 19:30-38
“And Lot went up out of Zoar and lived in the hills with his two daughters, for he was afraid to live in Zoar. So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. And the firstborn said to the younger, ‘Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of all the earth. Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.’ So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father. He did not know when she lay down or when she arose.”
This passage recounts the disturbing story of Lot and his daughters, who, out of desperation, engaged in incestuous relationships in order to conceive children.
This narrative serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating the consequences of straying from God’s design for healthy relationships within the family unit.
2 Samuel 13:15
“Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, ‘Get up! Go!’
Following their incestuous encounter, Amnon’s love for Tamar turned to deep-seated hatred, revealing the destructive consequences that can arise from violating familial boundaries.
This verse emphasizes the emotional turmoil and brokenness that can result from disregarding the sacredness of familial relationships.
Genesis 26:9
“So Abimelech called Isaac and said, ‘Behold, she is your wife. How then could you say, ‘She is my sister’?’ Isaac said to him, ‘Because I thought, ‘Lest I die because of her.”'”
Isaac, like Abraham, also referred to his wife Rebekah as his sister out of fear for his own safety.
This example showcases the dangers and complexities that can arise when individuals blur the lines of familial relationships, even within the boundaries of marriage.
Exodus 6:20
“Amram took as his wife Jochebed his father’s sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, the years of the life of Amram being 137 years.”
This verse mentions the union between Amram and Jochebed, who were first cousins, resulting in the birth of Aaron and Moses.
While this scenario may seem contradictory to the previously mentioned regulations, it is essential to remember that this event occurred before the Law was given to Moses, and it is not presented as a model for future relationships.
Leviticus 21:14
“A widow, or a divorced woman, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry. But he shall take as his wife a virgin of his own people.”
This verse emphasizes the significance of marrying within one’s own people and avoiding relationships with certain individuals who have been defiled or engaged in immoral behavior.
While it does not directly address marrying cousins, it underscores the importance of making wise choices regarding marriage partners.
Ruth 3:9
“He said, ‘Who are you?’ And she answered, ‘I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”
In this passage, Ruth approaches Boaz, her kinsman redeemer, seeking his protection and provision as a family member.
While the book of Ruth showcases the beautiful relationship between Ruth and Boaz, it is important to recognize that their situation was unique and not representative of typical cousin relationships.
Matthew 14:6-11
“But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests, he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.”
This tragic account relates the story of Herod’s unlawful relationship with his brother’s wife, Herodias, ultimately leading to the execution of John the Baptist.
It serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from violating God’s design for marriage and familial relationships.
2 Kings 10:13-14
“Jehu met the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah and said, ‘Who are you?’ And they answered, ‘We are the relatives of Ahaziah, and we came down to visit the royal princes and the sons of the queen mother.'” Jehu said, ‘Take them alive.’ And they took them alive and slaughtered them at the pit of Beth-eked, forty-two persons, and he spared none of them.”
Jehu’s ruthless act of slaying Ahaziah’s relatives underscores the destructive consequences that can arise from sinful familial relationships and their potential impact on future generations.
This account serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining purity within familial boundaries.
Deuteronomy 25:5
“If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.”
This verse introduces the concept of levirate marriage, which was practiced to ensure the continuation of a deceased brother’s lineage.
While this may involve marrying a relative, it is important to note that this practice was specific to certain circumstances and was not intended to promote general cousin marriages.
Genesis 38:16
“He turned to her at the roadside and said, ‘Come, let me come in to you,’ for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, ‘What will you give me, that you may come in to me?'”
In this account, Judah unknowingly engages in an incestuous relationship with his daughter-in-law, Tamar.
While this may seem contradictory to the commandments regarding family relationships, it is essential to recognize the narrative context and the subsequent consequences faced by individuals involved in such relationships.
Genesis 9:22-25
“Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, he said, ‘Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.'”
This passage recounts the incident where Ham dishonors his father, Noah, by viewing his nakedness and subsequently sharing it with his brothers.
Although this story does not specifically address cousin marriage, it does highlight the importance of maintaining respect and appropriate physical boundaries within the family unit.
Numbers 36:6
“This is what the Lord commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: ‘Let them marry whom they think best, only they shall marry within the clan of the tribe of their father.”
In this verse, specific guidelines are given for the daughters of Zelophehad regarding their inheritance and marriage. They were instructed to marry within their tribe, ensuring the preservation of tribal boundaries and inheritance.
While this verse does not directly address cousin marriages, it recognizes the significance of maintaining familial and tribal integrity through wise marriage choices.
Matthew 19:5
“…and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
This verse, spoken by Jesus, affirms the sacredness of the marital union, emphasizing the leaving of one’s parents and the commitment between husband and wife.
While it does not directly address cousin marriages, it underscores the importance of entering into marriage with a clear commitment to one another.
1 Timothy 5:8
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to care for their relatives, specifically those within their own household.
While it does not specifically address cousin marriages, it underscores the significance of maintaining strong familial relationships and fulfilling one’s obligations to family members.
Genesis 29:15
“Then Laban said to Jacob, ‘Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?'”
In this narrative, Laban recognizes Jacob as his kinsman and offers him a position of service, highlighting the importance of familial connections and obligations.
While this verse does not directly address cousin marriages, it acknowledges the significance of familial relationships and the potential influence they may have on various aspects of life.