Leviticus 18:19 - Exposition

The marriage restrictions having been laid down, there follows in the five next verses the prohibition of five sexual impurities unconnected with marriage except by their subject-matter. The first is to approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness, that is, either for seven days at the time of her ordinary illnesses ( Leviticus 15:19 ), or any longer time that her illness might last ( Leviticus 15:25 ), or for forty days after the birth of a man child ( Leviticus 12:2-4 ), or for eighty days after the birth of a girl ( Leviticus 12:5 ). The penalty for the offense within the seven days is death if committed willfully ( Leviticus 20:18 ); if fallen into unknowingly, a ceremonial penalty of seven days' uncleanness is incurred ( Leviticus 15:24 ). It is twice referred to by Ezekiel as a gross sin ( Ezekiel 18:6 ; Ezekiel 22:10 ).