Unlawful Unions in the Scriptures: Marriages and Relationships Forbidden by YHWH
Introduction
From the beginning, the Most High established marriage as a holy covenant between a man and a woman. While Scripture teaches what constitutes a lawful union, it also identifies relationships and marriages that are considered unlawful, unclean, or abominable.
These prohibitions were given to preserve holiness, protect families, prevent corruption, and maintain the order established by God. Throughout the Law, the Prophets, and the Apostolic writings, the Scriptures warn against unions that violate divine commandments.
This study examines several unlawful unions identified in the Bible.
1. Returning to a Former Husband After Another Marriage
One of the clearest marriage prohibitions appears in the Law concerning divorce.
Deuteronomy 24:1-4
"Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled..."
If a woman was divorced, married another man, and that second marriage ended through death or divorce, the first husband was forbidden from taking her back.
The Law describes such a reunion as an abomination before the Lord.
2. A Man Lying With Another Man
The Torah explicitly prohibits sexual relations between men.
Leviticus 18:22
"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."
Leviticus 20:13
"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination."
The Scriptures present marriage as the union of male and female and do not recognize same-sex marriage as a lawful marriage covenant.
Genesis 2:24
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife."
3. A Woman Lying With Another Woman
While the Torah specifically addresses male same-sex relations, the Apostolic writings also condemn women engaging in same-sex relations.
Romans 1:26-27
"For even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature."
The passage describes both male and female same-sex acts as contrary to God's created order.
4. Bestiality
The Law strongly condemns sexual relations between humans and animals.
Leviticus 18:23
"Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith."
Exodus 22:19
"Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death."
Such acts are described as confusion and corruption.
5. Marrying Close Relatives
Leviticus 18 contains an extensive list of forbidden relationships.
Among them are:
Mother
Leviticus 18:7
"The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover."
Sister
Leviticus 18:9
"The nakedness of thy sister... thou shalt not uncover."
Granddaughter
Leviticus 18:10
"The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter..."
Aunt
Leviticus 18:12-14
Daughter-in-law
Leviticus 18:15
Brother's Wife
Leviticus 18:16
Woman and Her Daughter
Leviticus 18:17
These restrictions were given to prevent corruption of the family structure.
6. Taking a Woman and Her Sister Together
The Law specifically prohibits taking sisters as rival wives during the lifetime of the first sister.
Leviticus 18:18
"Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her..."
This command was designed to prevent strife and jealousy within the household.
7. Marrying Those Who Lead Israel Into Idolatry
Israel was repeatedly warned against marrying certain foreign nations.
Deuteronomy 7:3-4
"Neither shalt thou make marriages with them... For they will turn away thy son from following me."
The concern was not ethnicity itself but the corruption of Israel through foreign gods and practices.
The example of Solomon demonstrates this danger.
1 Kings 11:1-4
His foreign wives turned his heart toward other gods.
8. Priestly Marriage Restrictions
The priests of Israel were subject to additional requirements.
Leviticus 21:7
"They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane."
The high priest faced even stricter standards.
Leviticus 21:13-14
"And he shall take a wife in her virginity."
These laws reflected the priesthood's unique role before God.
9. Marriages That Violate Tribal Inheritance
In the case of the daughters of Zelophehad, the Lord instructed that they marry within their father's tribe.
Numbers 36:6-9
"Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry."
This command preserved tribal inheritances within Israel.
While Scripture records marriages between members of different tribes, inheritance cases sometimes required marriage within one's tribe.
10. Adultery and Taking Another Man's Wife
A married woman could not lawfully be taken by another man.
Exodus 20:14
"Thou shalt not commit adultery."
Leviticus 20:10
"The adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death."
Marriage was a covenant protected by divine law.
11. Marrying a Divorced Woman in Certain Cases
The priesthood faced restrictions concerning divorced women.
Leviticus 21:14
"A widow, or a divorced woman... these shall he not take."
This command applied specifically to the high priest.
Conclusion
The Scriptures reveal that not every relationship constitutes a lawful union before God. Throughout the Bible, the Most High prohibits adultery, incest, bestiality, same-sex relations, certain remarriages, and marriages that lead His people into idolatry.
The purpose of these laws was to preserve holiness, protect the family, maintain covenant order, and keep Israel separate from corrupt practices. By understanding both lawful and unlawful unions, believers can better appreciate God's design for marriage and family according to the Scriptures.
