In this verse the expression “to uncover the nakedness of” indicates “to disgrace,” and the verb “to approach” is a polite way of saying “to have sexual intercourse with” (see Gen 20.4; Deut 22.14; Isa 8.3; Ezek 18.6). The whole verse may be translated “Do not disgrace your uncle by having intercourse with his wife. Remember that she is (also) your aunt.” Of course some languages, like Hebrew, have completely separate terms for “paternal aunt” and “maternal aunt.” This is clearly the “paternal aunt.”

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .