· Translation: KJV

Leviticus 20:14"'If a man takes a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burned with fire, both he and they; that there may be no wickedness among you.

The setting

Mount Sinai wilderness, ~1446 BC. God establishes boundaries to protect family structure in ancient tribal society. Modern-day Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.

The emotion here: burdened with recording laws that address humanity's darkest behaviors

The original word

zimmah (זִמָּה) — intentional lewdness, premeditated sexual wickedness

Why it matters

This law protected women from being trapped in competing loyalties within households

Read with care

What most readers miss in Leviticus 20:14

The severity shows how family sexual chaos destroys entire communities, not just individuals

Common misconceptionPeople think ancient cultures were more permissive about sexuality, but God's laws were actually more protective of vulnerable family members than surrounding cultures.

Bible Genome reading

Leviticus 20:14 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerGod
Eraexodus
Primary emotionanxious
Literary typelaw
MarkCommand

Emotional genome

Comfort power10%
Quotability30%
Memorability60%
Crisis relevance40%
Standalone60%
Themes:family boundariessexual holiness

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Leviticus 20

Leviticus 20:14 comes from the book of Leviticus, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include family boundaries, sexual holiness. Notable phrases: takes a wife and her mother; wickedness; burned with fire. This verse contains a command.

Your reflection

What does Leviticus 20:14 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "anxious"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.