Meaning of Leviticus 20:21

This verse from Leviticus 20:21 addresses a specific prohibition within the Mosaic Law, detailing a sexual union that is deemed "impure" and results in the dishonoring of a brother, leading to childlessness. The context is the Holiness Code, a section of Leviticus (chapters 17-26) that elaborates on the laws given to the Israelites, emphasizing the need for them to be holy as God is holy. This particular law addresses the union of a man with his brother's wife, which is understood as a transgression of kinship boundaries and a violation of the established order of family and inheritance. The consequence of childlessness signifies a lack of continuation and a divine disapproval, effectively severing the lineage that would have otherwise been associated with the deceased brother.

Context and Background

Leviticus 20:21 is part of a series of laws in the Holiness Code that delineate forbidden sexual relationships. These laws were given to the Israelites to set them apart from the surrounding nations and to promote purity and order within their society, reflecting God's own holiness. The prohibition against marrying one's brother's wife is situated within a broader framework of sexual morality that includes prohibitions against incest, adultery, and bestiality. The rationale behind such laws often involved concerns for maintaining clear familial lines, preventing exploitation within kinship structures, and upholding social stability.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary themes are purity, kinship integrity, and divine consequence. The act is explicitly labeled as "impure" (Hebrew: tum'ah), indicating a contamination or defilement that separates one from God and the community. The phrase "dishonored his brother" highlights the violation of familial bonds and the disrespect shown to the deceased sibling's memory and legacy. The consequence of childlessness underscores the importance of procreation within the Israelite context, where lineage and inheritance were paramount for the continuation of families and the fulfillment of covenant promises.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse speaks to the call for believers to maintain a life of holiness, separating themselves from practices that defile the spirit and dishonor God and fellow believers. While the Levitical laws are not directly binding on Christians in the same way they were for ancient Israel, the underlying principle of sexual purity and the sanctity of relationships remains relevant. The emphasis on "dishonoring" suggests that our actions have consequences that impact others, particularly within the family of God. The consequence of childlessness can be understood metaphorically as a spiritual barrenness that results from disobedience or a lack of fruitful service.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This prohibition is directly addressed and modified in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, which introduces the concept of levirate marriage. There, if a man dies without children, his brother is obligated to marry the widow to provide an heir for the deceased. This might seem contradictory, but the Leviticus passage likely refers to a situation where the brother voluntarily marries his brother's wife without the intention of raising offspring for the deceased, or perhaps in a context where the deceased brother had living children, making the union unnecessary and thus a transgression. The New Testament, while not reiterating this specific law, consistently emphasizes sexual purity and the importance of respecting familial and marital bonds, as seen in passages like 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and Hebrews 13:4.

Analogies

One analogy for the "dishonoring" aspect is how a person might misuse an heirloom. An heirloom carries the legacy and memory of those who came before. To use it improperly or for selfish gain, without regard for its original purpose or the sentiment attached, dishonors its history and the people it represents. Similarly, marrying a brother's wife without fulfilling the familial obligation (as later clarified in Deuteronomy) or for personal gratification dishonors the deceased brother and the sanctity of the family unit. Another analogy for childlessness as a consequence could be a tree that produces no fruit; it fails to fulfill its purpose of propagation and sustenance, indicating a lack of vitality or blessing.

Relation to Other Verses

• Leviticus 18:6-18: This broader chapter outlines various prohibited sexual relations, including those with close relatives. Leviticus 20:21 is a specific instance within this larger framework.
• Deuteronomy 25:5-10: As mentioned, this passage introduces the levirate marriage law, providing a specific context and exception to the general prohibition, emphasizing the duty to perpetuate a deceased brother's name.
• 1 Corinthians 6:18-20: Paul exhorts believers to flee sexual immorality, emphasizing that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and should be honored. This echoes the Levitical emphasis on purity.
• Hebrews 13:4: "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." This verse underscores the sanctity of marriage and sexual purity in the New Testament.