1) The fact that ishah el aḥotah is found only as a metaphor does not preclude its concrete use. Besides, the individual words ishah and aḥot occur repeatedly in Lev 18 always in their primary sense. In the context of incest regulations, ishah and aḥot surely demand to be taken literally.

2) Lev 18 employs four distinct terms to express cohabitation: qrb el (draw near to); galleh ‘ervah (uncover nakedness); lqḥ (take [in marriage], acquire); ntn shekhovto le-/be- (give one's lying to). There is much debate as to whether some or all of these terms are interchangeable or if each is meant to convey a distinct nuance. The introductory verse uses two of the terms: “men one and all none of you shall draw near to any she'r besaro (close relative; literally, flesh of his flesh) to uncover nakedness …” (v. 6). Starting at v. 7, the text proceeds to elaborate. This it does not merely by specifying which close relatives fall under the prohibition of v. 6, but also by repeating the prohibition for each individual union along the line. From v. 7 through 17a, having sexual union is referred to stereotypically as galleh ‘ervah, with qrb el appearing once in v. 14. Thus, from the literary standpoint, Lev 18:6–17a can be said to form a unit; v. 6 laying down the general rule which is then applied to specific cases (vv. 7–17a).