Incest
Incest is sexual relations between close relatives. Scripture forbids such unions and treats them as sinful violations of God’s design for family and sexual holiness.
At a Glance
Incest is sexual relations between close relatives. Scripture forbids such unions and treats them as sinful violations of God’s design for family and sexual holiness.
Description
Incest is sexual relations between close family members, especially those within the prohibited degrees of kinship named in Scripture. The clearest biblical treatment appears in the holiness laws, where such relationships are forbidden as immoral and defiling, and the New Testament likewise condemns a case of sexual union within a near family relationship. While questions can arise about how biblical kinship laws relate to later civil law systems or complex step-family situations, the safe biblical conclusion is clear: Scripture forbids sexual relations within close family bonds and treats them as a serious violation of God’s moral order, human dignity, and the sanctity of the household.