Legal Definitions - Levitical degrees

Levitical degrees refer to a set of relationships, primarily based on blood (consanguinity) or marriage (affinity), that are traditionally considered too close for marriage or sexual relations. These prohibitions originate from ancient biblical laws, particularly those found in the Book of Leviticus, and have historically influenced both religious doctrines and secular legal systems concerning incest and marriage eligibility. Essentially, they define which relatives are deemed "too close" to marry.

• Example 1: In many jurisdictions, it is legally forbidden for a man to marry his biological sister, even if both are consenting adults. This prohibition against marriage between siblings is a direct reflection of the Levitical degrees, which explicitly forbid such unions due to the close blood relationship.

• Example 2: A woman considers marrying her late husband's brother. While not related by blood, some religious traditions and historical legal systems, influenced by the concept of Levitical degrees, would consider this marriage prohibited. The Levitical degrees extend prohibitions to certain relationships created through marriage (affinity), treating some in-laws as too closely related to marry.

• Example 3: A man and his niece, or a woman and her nephew, are generally prohibited from marrying in most modern legal systems. This restriction aligns with the Levitical degrees, which define these collateral blood relationships as too close for marriage, even though they are not direct parent-child or sibling relationships.