Leviticus 20:21
French (La Bible expliquée)
« Si un homme prend pour épouse la femme de son frère, il agit de façon répugnante. Le couple n'aura pas d'enfants, puisque l'homme a déshonoré son frère. La sainteté de la communauté s'enracine dans la sainteté du Seigneur, qui se révèle dans l'ordre harmonieux de la création et dans l'histoire de la libération d'Israël. Puisque Dieu a choisi son peuple et l'a séparé des autres, chaque membre du peuple doit fidèlement respecter ce qui le distingue des autres peuples.
What Does This Mean?
This verse says that if a man marries his brother's wife, it's considered unclean and they will not have children together. The speaker is God through Moses, emphasizing the importance of proper relationships and the consequences of breaking certain rules.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your friend had a favorite toy, and you took it. It wouldn't be nice, right? Similarly, this verse says it's not right for a man to marry his brother's wife, and because of that, they won't have any kids together.
Historical Background
Leviticus was written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE. It was given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt to guide them on how to live a holy life. This verse reflects the cultural and religious norms of that time.
Living It Out Today
Today, this could apply to someone considering marrying a recently widowed or divorced spouse of a family member. It highlights the importance of respecting boundaries and the potential consequences of not doing so.
Topics
marriagefamilyboundariesconsequencesholinessreligion
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this rule still applicable today?
Many Christians interpret this as a cultural law rather than a universal one, focusing more on the principle of respecting family boundaries.
What does 'unclean' mean in this context?
In the context of Leviticus, 'unclean' refers to actions or conditions that are not in accordance with God's prescribed holiness and purity standards.
Does this verse apply to widows?
While the verse does not specify widowhood, it applies broadly to any situation where a man marries his brother's wife, which could include widowhood.
Are there exceptions to this rule?
This verse is quite clear and doesn't provide exceptions. However, some interpretations might consider broader cultural and legal contexts in applying it today.