BOOK 3 OF 66 · LAW · KING JAMES BIBLE

Leviticus 15

Leviticus book home•Chapter 15 of 27•33 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

REVIEWED OVERVIEW

Leviticus 15 Overview

Leviticus 15 regulates ceremonial uncleanness associated with male and female bodily discharges, including ongoing abnormal discharges and normal reproductive emissions. The chapter explains washing, waiting periods, contaminated objects, and sacrificial procedures when certain conditions end. It closes by stating the purpose: Israel must be separated from uncleanness so that they do not defile God’s tabernacle in their midst.

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15Chapter

33Verses

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Before you read Leviticus 15

Coming from

Leviticus 14 dealt with restoration from skin disease and impurity in houses.

In this chapter

The chapter defines uncleanness connected with bodily discharges and explains cleansing procedures.

Leads into

Leviticus 16 gives the Day of Atonement, the annual rite for cleansing the sanctuary, priests, and congregation from Israel’s uncleannesses and sins.

Key understanding

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Truth 1

Bodily processes can create ceremonial uncleanness without necessarily being morally sinful.

Truth 2

Uncleanness can be transmitted through beds, seats, touch, and bodily contact under the Mosaic law.

Truth 3

Washing and waiting until evening are frequent means of returning from temporary uncleanness.

Truth 4

Certain prolonged conditions require sacrifices after cleansing.

Truth 5

The chapter’s stated concern is preventing defilement of the tabernacle where God dwells among Israel.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Connection 1

Leviticus 12 contains related purification law after childbirth.

Connection 2

Leviticus 16 explicitly mentions cleansing from Israel’s uncleannesses on the Day of Atonement.

Connection 3

Mark 5 records Jesus healing a woman who had suffered an issue of blood for twelve years.

Connection 4

Hebrews 9 contrasts ceremonial purifications with the deeper cleansing accomplished through Christ.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep this clear 1

Ceremonial uncleanness is not identical to moral guilt.

Keep this clear 2

Normal marital and reproductive bodily functions are not declared morally evil by this chapter.

Keep this clear 3

The chapter should not be used to stigmatize people with medical conditions.

Keep this clear 4

Christian access to God is not governed by these Levitical bodily-purity rules.

Read Leviticus 15 watching for…

The difference between ongoing and temporary discharges.

Objects made unclean by contact.

Repeated washing and evening deadlines.

When sacrifice is and is not required.

The final purpose concerning defilement of the tabernacle.

Chapter outline5 sections

1-15A man's bodily discharge and cleansing 16-18Uncleanness after a man's emission 19-24A woman's monthly uncleanness 25-30A woman's prolonged discharge and cleansing 31-33Israel is warned against defiling the tabernacle

And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, because of his issue he is unclean.

And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it is his uncleanness.

Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean.

And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

And he that sitteth on any thing whereon he sat that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

And what saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue shall be unclean.

And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.

And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest:

And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue.

And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even.

And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even.

The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.

And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.

And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.

And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

And if it be on her bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even.

And if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean.

And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean.

Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation.

And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.

And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness.

Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.

This is the law of him that hath an issue, and of him whose seed goeth from him, and is defiled therewith;

And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.

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Leviticus 15:13

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