How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #4
You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, and you shall not take her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter to uncover her nakedness; they are your flesh; it is depravity. And you shall not take a woman as a rival to her sister, uncovering her nakedness while her sister is still alive. (NRSV 18:17-18)
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness. Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time. (KJV 18:17-18)
One possible explanation for the incest laws is that they're the ancient world's answer to the bro code. Except in Israel, the concern isn't causing a riff with your besties. Instead, Leviticus explains that some rules against a guy's sexual relationships are designed to keep the women from ticked off with each other. Having sex with a woman and her daughter (from another man) sets up a rivalry between parent and child. Sex with your son's and daughter's grandchildren creates sibling conflict. Likewise, having flings with one of your wives and her sister is guaranteed to lead to bad feelings.
Quote #5
If a man has sexual relations with a woman who is a slave, designated for another man but not ransomed or given her freedom, an inquiry shall be held. They shall not be put to death, since she has not been freed; but he shall bring a guilt offering for himself to the Lord, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, a ram as guilt offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of guilt offering before the Lord for his sin that he committed; and the sin he committed shall be forgiven him. (NRSV 19:20-22)
And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, even a ram for a trespass offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the Lord for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him. (KJV 19:20-22)
Having sex with a female slave is normally not a problem (!) unless she's set to marry someone else. The usual penalty for sleeping with someone else's fiancée is death, but hey, she's a slave so it's not really adultery. In this case, the law is merciful: she gets whipped while he gets to offer a sacrifice, pay a penalty to her owner, and be forgiven by God.
As for any deeper spiritual meaning to this most curious law, what sayest thou, faithful Shmooper?
Quote #6
Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, that the land not become prostituted and full of depravity. (NRSV 19:29)
Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness. (KJV 19:29)
Isn't it enough to say that pimping out your daughter is a bad idea because she's, you know, your daughter? In the context of the times, not really. A daughter is a father's productive asset, just like his cattle and land. Normally he could make money by arranging an advantageous marriage, but it could also be easier just to sell her body for sex. Leviticus forbids this on the grounds of its broader social consequences—just as personal sins pollute the Tabernacle, they can also mess up the whole community.