LEV 18:18 Do Not Have Sexual Relations or Marry The Sibling of A Spouse Law

Law

• You shall not take a wife in addition to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is still alive.

Judgement

None specific.

Biblical Example

• This is a biblical example of the Do Not Have Sexual Relations or Marry The Sibling of A Spouse Law being disobeyed.

Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me for seven more years.”

28 Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife. 29 Laban gave Bilhah, his servant, to his daughter Rachel to be her servant. 30 He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him seven more years.

GEN 29:26-30 (TCMV)

This biblical example is referring to Jacob, Laban, Leah and Rachel. Laban is the father of Leah and Rachel. Jacob wanted Rachel and offered to work Laban's land for seven years so he could have Rachel's hand in marriage, and Laban agreed to it. However, after Jacob completed the seven years, Laban deceived Jacob and had him lay with Leah instead of Rachel. Jacob then had to work another seven years to get Rachel.

During this time, the Law of YHWH was not yet instituted, so Jacob marrying sisters was not a sin. However, Leah and Rachel's relationship shows how marrying sisters can lead to animosity between the women.