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Leviticus 27:20
And if he will not redeem the field, or if he have sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more.

Leviticus 18:8
The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: itis thy father's nakedness.

Leviticus 20:11
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 bloodshall be upon them.

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Ruth 3:9
And he said, Whoart thou? And she answered, Iam Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thouart a near kinsman.

Ezekiel 16:8
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy timewas the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed
The phrase "dishonor his father’s marriage bed" highlights the sanctity of marriage and the respect owed to one's parents. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the marriage bed symbolized the exclusive and sacred union between a husband and wife. Violating this union by marrying a father's wife would bring shame and dishonor not only to the father but to the entire family. This commandment serves to protect the integrity of the family unit and the social order. The concept of honoring one's parents is deeply embedded in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12), and this specific law reinforces that principle by addressing a potential source of familial dishonor. The emphasis on honor and purity in family relationships can also be seen as a type pointing to the purity and faithfulness expected in the relationship between Christ and the Church, as described inEphesians 5:25-27.

• This command is straightforward: it forbids a specific marriage. Scripture often begins moral directives with a clear prohibition before explaining why (Exodus 20:14;1 Thessalonians 4:3).

• The wording assumes male agency and responsibility; a man is expected to guard family boundaries, echoingGenesis 2:24, where marriage establishes a new, distinct household.

• The prohibition serves as a safeguard for the entire community, much asLeviticus 20:10–12 protects marriage vows from violation.

• The phrase points to the father’s current or former wife—typically a stepmother—without mentioning whether the father is alive.Leviticus 18:7–8 makes the same point, classifying such a union as “nakedness” that must not be uncovered.

• By including “father’s wife” instead of “mother,” the law covers blended families and polygamous situations sometimes present in ancient Israel (Genesis 35:22; 49:4).

•1 Corinthians 5:1 shows that ignoring this boundary leads to scandal even among unbelievers, underscoring why the Torah established it early.

• “Dishonor” conveys both moral shame and legal guilt. Deuteronomy often frames commands with the consequences of disrespect (Deuteronomy 21:18–21).

• Disgrace spreads beyond the individual, touching the father, the wife, and the wider covenant community (Proverbs 14:34).

•Deuteronomy 27:20 later pronounces a curse on one who violates this rule, illustrating how God views such dishonor as covenant-breaking.

• The “marriage bed” symbolizes the sanctity of the parents’ union.Hebrews 13:4 echoes the principle: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled.”

• Violating this bed is more than sexual sin; it is an assault on the authority structure God set for the family (Ephesians 6:1–3).

• Reuben’s sin with Bilhah (Genesis 35:22) shows the destructive fallout—loss of inheritance and leadership (1 Chronicles 5:1). The law aims to prevent such rupture.

Deuteronomy 22:30 says, “A man is not to marry his father’s wife, so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed.” The verse protects family integrity, honors the father, and upholds the sanctity of marriage. It forbids a man from taking his stepmother as wife, guarding against shame that would fracture both household and community. Cross-biblical echoes confirm that God’s design for marriage is exclusive, orderly, and worthy of respect for every generation.

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