Kissing Cousins

Question
What does the Bible say about marriage between cousins?
Answer
Actually, the Bible doesn't say anything about marriage between cousins (defined in the United States as the children of uncles/aunts). The primary chapters that deal with these issues are Leviticus 18 and 20, but neither these chapters nor any other passages specifically forbid marriage between cousins. Leviticus 18:6 and 20:19 do forbid relations between "blood relatives" (she'er) in general, but in their delineations of what this prohibition means they do not mention cousins.

Answer by Ra McLaughlin

Ra McLaughlin is Vice President of Finance and Administration at Third Millennium Ministries.