Leviticus 11 32

Leviticus 11:32 kjv

And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed.

Leviticus 11:32 nkjv

Anything on which any of them falls, when they are dead shall be unclean, whether it is any item of wood or clothing or skin or sack, whatever item it is, in which any work is done, it must be put in water. And it shall be unclean until evening; then it shall be clean.

Leviticus 11:32 niv

When one of them dies and falls on something, that article, whatever its use, will be unclean, whether it is made of wood, cloth, hide or sackcloth. Put it in water; it will be unclean till evening, and then it will be clean.

Leviticus 11:32 esv

And anything on which any of them falls when they are dead shall be unclean, whether it is an article of wood or a garment or a skin or a sack, any article that is used for any purpose. It must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the evening; then it shall be clean.

Leviticus 11:32 nlt

If such an animal dies and falls on something, that object will be unclean. This is true whether the object is made of wood, cloth, leather, or burlap. Whatever its use, you must dip it in water, and it will remain defiled until evening. After that, it will be ceremonially clean and may be used again.

Leviticus 11 verses

Leviticus 11 32 Meaning

Leviticus 11:32 describes the protocol for purifying objects made of common household materials—wood, clothing, skin, or sack—that come into contact with the carcass of an unclean creeping creature, specifically listed in previous verses (e.g., mice, lizards). Such contact renders the item ritually "unclean." To become pure again, the contaminated object must be immersed in water. It remains ritually defiled "until evening," after which it is considered clean, ready for use in the community. This verse underscores the stringent purity standards in ancient Israel, highlighting the pervasive nature of impurity and God's provision for restoration through specific cleansing rituals.

Leviticus 11 32 Context

Leviticus Chapter 11 meticulously outlines dietary laws and principles of ritual purity for the Israelites. The chapter divides animals into "clean" (permitted for consumption and not defiling upon touch) and "unclean" (forbidden for consumption and potentially defiling upon touch or death). Verses 29-38 specifically address "creeping things" on the earth, identifying them as unclean. Should any of these specified creatures die and fall upon an object, that object becomes ritually unclean. Leviticus 11:32 provides a specific consequence and remedy for certain types of these contaminated objects. This system of purity was vital for Israel's identity as a holy nation, separate from the surrounding pagan cultures which often had different standards regarding animal contact and cleanliness. It highlighted God's sovereignty and His demand for holiness in all aspects of life, even in the mundane.

Word Analysis

• Whatever (כָּל־אֲשֶׁר, kol-ʾǎšer): Signifies "all that," "everything which." This highlights the comprehensive nature of the impurity: any item, without exception, is affected if it meets the criteria.
• on which any of them falls when dead (אֲשֶׁר־יִפֹּל מֵהֶם מֵת עֲלָיו, ʾăšer-yippōl mēhem mēṯ ʿālāyw): "Them" refers to the eight unclean "creeping things" (weasel, mouse, great lizard, gecko, land crocodile, chameleon, lizard, sand-lizard) enumerated in Lev 11:29-30. The emphasis on "dead" (מֵת, mēṯ) indicates that the carcass, not the living creature, transmits defilement, aligning with the concept that death (the consequence of sin) is the ultimate source of impurity.
• shall be unclean (יִטְמָא, yiṭmāʾ): Derived from ṭāmaʾ, meaning "to be ritually impure" or "defiled." This is not a moral sin, but a state of ceremonial impurity that prevents participation in sacred acts or proximity to the holy.
• whether it is an article of wood or clothing or skin or sack (כָּל־כְּלִי־עֵץ אוֹ בֶגֶד אוֹ־עוֹר אוֹ שָׂק, kol-kəlî-ʿēṣ ʾō ḇeḡeḏ ʾō-ʿōr ʾō śāq): These examples specify common materials used for vessels, garments, containers, and coverings. They are generally porous materials capable of absorbing impurity. This distinction is crucial, as objects made of earthenware would be broken (Lev 11:33), and solid, smooth surfaces might only need rinsing.
• any article that is used for any purpose (כָּל־כְּלִי אֲשֶׁר־יֵעָשֶׂה מְלָאכָה בָּהֶם, kol-kəlî ʾăšer-yēʿāśeh məlāʾḵāh bāhem): Reinforces the broad scope of objects affected, including any tool or implement, ensuring no loopholes based on an item's specific function.
• shall be put into water (בַּמַּיִם יוּבָא, bammayim yûḇāʾ): This specifies immersion as the method of purification. Water (מַיִם, mayim) symbolically and practically cleanses, removing defilement.
• and it shall be unclean until evening (וְטָמֵא הָיָה עַד־הָעֶרֶב, wəṭāmēʾ hāyāh ʿaḏ-hāʿereḇ): The "until evening" (עַד־הָעֶרֶב, ʿaḏ-hāʿereḇ) period implies that the passage of time, in conjunction with washing, is part of the purification process. It signifies a complete cycle of the day, suggesting that the impurity "wears off" or is fully shed.
• then it becomes clean (וְטָהֵר, wəṭāhēr): Derived from ṭāher, meaning "to be ritually pure." This signifies the successful restoration of the object to a state where it is no longer defiled and can be used without transmitting impurity. This implies God's gracious provision for cleansing.

Leviticus 11 32 Commentary

Leviticus 11:32 is a precise instruction on handling ceremonial uncleanness resulting from contact with specific dead creatures. It establishes a practical purification method for common, reusable household items: immersion in water. The phrase "until evening" underscores that the purification involved not just a physical act but also a waiting period, symbolizing a complete reset or renewal. This law reveals several theological insights: God's meticulous care extends to everyday life; impurity is not always permanent but can be overcome; and there are divinely appointed means of restoration. While specific to the Old Covenant's ceremonial purity, the principle echoes in the New Testament's emphasis on spiritual cleansing and regeneration through Christ's work (e.g., Eph 5:26, Heb 9:14, 1 Jn 1:7). It served as a constant reminder to Israel of their distinct holy status and God's standard of purity for His people, pointing ultimately to the comprehensive and perfect cleansing found in Jesus.

Bonus Section

The "until evening" clause found throughout the purity laws in Leviticus and Numbers is significant. It implies that for many forms of ritual defilement, the passage of time, from the act of cleansing until the start of a new day (when night begins), was as crucial as the physical washing. This indicates that defilement wasn't merely a physical stain but a ritual state that required a temporal shift to be fully annulled, highlighting its spiritual dimension rather than just a hygienic one. This provision demonstrated God's mercy; not all defilement led to permanent exclusion but offered a pathway back to purity, mirroring the divine provision for repentance and forgiveness for sin. The detailed nature of these laws also emphasized Israel's covenant relationship with God and their call to reflect His holiness in every aspect of life, distinguishing them from other nations whose religious practices often did not prioritize such distinctions.