Biblical Teaching on Incest
Wayne Jackson, M.A.
The charge has been made that the Bible contradicts itself in that it sanctions incest (the children of
Adam and Eve must have intermarried),and yet the
Scriptures condemn such relationships in Leviticus
18:6-18. And, does Paul give a father permission to
marry his own daughter in 1 Corinthians 7:36-38?
In those early days of Earth's history, when the first
human family was given the responsibility to multiply
and fill the Earth (Genesis 1:28),and when mankind obviously was much more physically robust than it is now
(cf. Genesis 5:3ff.), it is evident that marriages between
those of close kin were not unusual. For example, Abraham and Sarah were half-brother and -sister (Genesis
20:12). [NOTE: The physical vigor of the patriarchs is attested by the fact that king Abimelech desired Sarah for
his harem, this beautiful lady of ninety years! (Genesis
20:2; 17:17).] Moreover, Isaac and Rebekah were second
cousins (Genesis 22:20ff.; 24:4), and Jacob was wed to
the daughters of Laban, his mother's brother (Genesis
24:43), hence, to his first cousins. Observe, however, that
even in patriarchal times such incestuous acts as that
engaged in by Lot and his daughters were roundly condemned (Genesis 19:30ff.).
It must be emphasized, though, that the Mosaic law
forbidding family marriages came centuries later. And
no one is accountable to a law enacted centuries after he
is dead! [Our own constitution prohibits the passage of
ex post facto legislation.]
Many scholars believe that the Mosaic law was enacted: (a) to separate Israel from the immoral practices
of the Egyptians and the Canaanites, the incestuous, immoral relationships among these people were well known;
and (b) as a physical/mental health measure for the progressively weakening human family.
No, Paul was not granting permission for a father/
daughter marriage in 1 Corinthians 7. He was discussing the marriage relationship in a period of impending
persecution (see 7:26ff.),and in an age when, according
to both Jewish and Greek practice, the marital disposal
of daughters was in the hands of the father. Verse 38 reveals that the apostle was dealing with the propriety of a
father "giving" his daughter in marriage. Accordingly,
we may paraphrase verses 36-37 as follows.
But if any man [i.e., father] thinketh that he behaveth unseemly [by withholding permission
to marry] toward his virgin [daughter], if she
be past the flower of her age [marital maturity], and if need so requireth [her happiness is
jeopardized], let him do what he will [grant
her permission to marry in spite of apostolic
advice to remain single]; he sinneth not [in allowing her to marry]. But he that standeth
steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but
hath power as touching his own will, and hath
determined this in his own heart, to keep [to
maintain her single status] his own virgin [daughter], shall do well [it is his privilege to so do
and such may insure her greater happiness in
view of the threatened danger of persecution. cf. vs. 40].
Paul was not authorizing an inter-family marriage.
In our society, marriages between close relatives not only
are illegal (note the Christian's responsibility to the law
. Romans 13:1ff.), but can be extremely dangerous genetically.