Who are you not allowed to marry in the Bible?

Asked by: Geoffrey Mraz  |  Last update: April 28, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (67 votes)

The Bible prohibits marriage with close relatives like mothers, fathers' wives, sisters, aunts, uncles, daughters-in-law, and sisters-in-law (while the wife is alive), detailed in Leviticus 18:6-18. Other prohibitions include marrying unbelievers ("marrying out of faith"), marrying two sisters consecutively, and remarrying after divorce unless adultery occurred, with broader principles against marrying into pagan cultures to maintain spiritual purity.

Who can you not marry according to the Bible?

Among the forbidden couples are parent-child, sister-brother, grandparent-grandchild, uncle-niece, aunt-nephew, and between half siblings and certain close in-laws. This "Levitical law" is found in Leviticus 18:6-18, supplemented by Leviticus 20:17-21 and Deuteronomy 27:20-23. Photo illustration, Shutterstock, Inc.

Who did God tell not to marry?

Jeremiah 16 NLT - Jeremiah Forbidden to Marry - BibleProject.

Can you get married in the eyes of God but not legally?

Yes, many believe you can be spiritually married in the eyes of God through vows and commitment without legal recognition, as marriage predates government licenses, but this leaves you without legal rights or protections, so many recommend getting both a spiritual and legal marriage to honor God's laws and civil law. While some scriptures highlight God's institution of marriage through covenant (like Adam and Eve), modern Christian views often encourage legal marriage for accountability, legal standing (inheritance, taxes), and to avoid legal complications, viewing it as honoring civil authority. 

What are the forbidden relationships in the Bible?

The Bible, primarily in Leviticus 18 and 20, forbids sexual relations with close relatives (incest), such as mothers, fathers' wives, sisters, aunts, daughters-in-law, and step-relatives, viewing them as "abominations". Other prohibited relationships include adultery, bestiality, same-sex sexual acts, marrying a woman and her daughter or granddaughter, and relations during menstruation, all intended to set God's people apart and maintain holiness.
 

What Establishes a Marriage According to the Bible?

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What Bible verse says not to get married?

Matthew 19:10-12 The Passion Translation (TPT)

His disciples spoke up and said, “If this is the standard, then it seems better to never get married.” “Not everyone is meant to remain single—only those whom God gives grace to be unmarried. For some are born to celibacy; others have been made eunuchs by others.

What is a forbidden marriage?

The parties' degree of consanguinity is too close – for example, a brother and sister or a parent and a child. Different jurisdictions have different lists of prohibited incestuous relationship. A party to the marriage is forbidden to marry as a result of losing their civil rights, such as for conviction of a crime.

What are God's rules for marriage?

The 7 Commandments of Christian Marriage

  • Thou shalt serve one another. ...
  • Thou shalt love unconditionally. ...
  • Thou shalt respect one another. ...
  • Thou shalt put no other earthly relationships before this one. ...
  • Thou shalt commit beyond feelings. ...
  • Thou shalt consider the other person's interest ahead of thine own.

What makes a marriage not legal?

The most common reasons courts in California will invalidate a marriage license include: Incest (void). Relatives of every degree may not legally marry. In the eyes of the law, marriages involving blood relatives cannot exist, regardless of the legitimacy of the relationship.

Where does the Bible say to not get married?

In evaluating the Scriptural texts in regard to marriage, divorce, and remarriage the Bible points to the marriage bond as ending only in death, not merely being severed by legal divorce, thereby prohibiting remarriage following divorce no matter the circumstance (Matthew 19:6, Romans 7:1-3, 1 Corinthians 7:10-11,39).

Can God tell you who your future spouse is?

Yes, many people believe God can reveal your future spouse through spiritual guidance, dreams, visions, or circumstances, often using Scripture and internal prompting (the Holy Spirit) for confirmation, though it's usually a process involving signs, prayer, and discernment rather than a simple, direct announcement. Confirmation often comes through biblical principles and a sense of peace or unforced momentum, not just feelings, with the goal being clarity and alignment with God's will, not confusion, as cautioned by various perspectives on discernment. 

Why does 1 Corinthians 7 say not to get married?

Why? Because of the present distress. Apparently, there was some kind of local persecution or problem in the city of Corinth, and because of this distress, Paul says there are definite advantages to remaining single. Also, because of this distress, a married man should also remain as he is.

What are the biblical requirements to get married?

The act of marriage consisted of three things: leaving, cleaving, and becoming one flesh. The Genesis 2:24 commandment was repeated by Jesus in Matthew 19:5 and Mark 10:7–8, and the Apostle Paul also used this covenant format in Ephesians 5.

What constitutes a marriage in God's eyes?

In the eyes of God, marriage is generally seen as a sacred, lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, established through public commitment, exclusivity, and becoming "one flesh," often mirroring Christ and the Church, though specifics vary by faith, with many emphasizing vows, commitment, and community recognition over just legal paperwork. Key elements include a lasting bond, mutual love, sacrificial living, and public declaration, rooted in scripture like Genesis 2. 

What religious figures can't get married?

Vows of celibacy are generally required for monks and nuns in Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and other religions, but often not for other clergy. Within the Catholic Church, clerical celibacy is mandated for all clergy in the Latin Church except in the permanent diaconate.

Is being single a sin in the Bible?

Singleness is spoken of highly in Scripture as a good thing (1 Corinthians 7:7-8). And it is good, when accompanied by a heart that is trusting God's providential ordering of one's life.

What is the 7 7 7 rule in marriage?

The 777 rule for marriage is a relationship strategy to keep romance alive by scheduling consistent quality time: a date every 7 days, a night away every 7 weeks, and a longer holiday every 7 months, ensuring regular reconnection and preventing drifting apart through intentional presence and fun. It's a framework for prioritizing the partnership amidst daily routines, fostering stronger communication, intimacy, and fun.
 

What voids a marriage?

A marriage becomes invalid (void or voidable) when fundamental requirements aren't met, such as bigamy (already married), incest (too closely related), underage status, or lack of capacity (mental incapacity, intoxication, fraud/duress/force), meaning true consent or legal standing was missing from the start, allowing for annulment as if the marriage never existed. 

What is the 3-3-3 rule for marriage?

The "3 3 3 rule" in marriage typically refers to a couples' strategy for balance and connection: three hours of individual alone time, three hours of uninterrupted time together, and sometimes a variation involving three chances to try something new before giving up, all scheduled weekly to reduce resentment and improve intimacy by ensuring both personal space and quality time are met. It's about proactively creating dedicated time for self-care and shared experiences to strengthen the relationship, preventing burnout and fostering closeness. 

What marriages does the Bible forbid?

The Bible forbids marriages between close relatives (incest) like parent-child, siblings, aunt-niece, and uncle-nephew, detailed in Leviticus 18. It also prohibits interfaith marriages, particularly for Israelites with certain foreign groups (Ammonites, Moabites) and generally with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14), and strongly condemns sexual relations with in-laws like a father's wife or daughter-in-law (Leviticus 18, Mark 6). 

What is the 2 2 2 2 rule in marriage?

The 2-2-2 rule is a relationship guideline for couples to maintain connection by scheduling intentional time together: a date night every 2 weeks, a weekend away every 2 months, and a week-long vacation every 2 years, helping to prioritize the relationship amidst daily stresses and routines. It's a framework for regular quality time, communication, and fun, originating from a Reddit post and gaining traction for preventing couples from drifting apart by focusing on consistent connection. 

What are the four rules of marriage?

Follow the four golden rules – don't lie, keep your promises, argue productively and always play nice – and your relationship will never go anywhere but forward.

Who can you not marry?

A person cannot marry any of the following relatives:

  • a child, including an adopted child.
  • a parent, including an adoptive parent.
  • a brother or sister, including a half-brother or half-sister.
  • a parent's brother or sister, including a half-brother or half-sister.
  • a grandparent.
  • a grandchild.

What are the three sins against marriage?

Obvious sins, but not an exhaustive list, against these goods of marriage would be: polygamy. adultery. any form of abuse.

What is an unlawful marriage in the Bible?

The phrase, “unless the marriage is unlawful” is from the Catholic New American Bible, and is a rendering of the Greek, (me epi porneia), which most literally means, “except for illicit sexual union.” The Greek word in question is porneia. This word refers generally to any illicit sexual union.