Leviticus 15 17

Leviticus 15:17 kjv

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

Leviticus 15:17 nkjv

And any garment and any leather on which there is semen, it shall be washed with water, and be unclean until evening.

Leviticus 15:17 niv

Any clothing or leather that has semen on it must be washed with water, and it will be unclean till evening.

Leviticus 15:17 esv

And every garment and every skin on which the semen comes shall be washed with water and be unclean until the evening.

Leviticus 15:17 nlt

Any clothing or leather with semen on it must be washed in water, and it will remain unclean until evening.

Leviticus 15 verses

Leviticus 15 17 Meaning

Leviticus 15:17 details a specific aspect of ritual impurity: any garment or animal skin that comes into contact with a seminal emission is considered ritually unclean. To rectify this state, the affected object must be thoroughly washed with water. The object, and by implication anyone handling it, remains in a state of impurity until evening. This highlights the pervasive nature of ritual defilement and the required process for temporary purification to restore fitness for the community and sacred interactions.

Leviticus 15 17 Context

Leviticus chapter 15 extensively outlines the laws concerning various bodily discharges that result in ritual impurity (tame'). This chapter differentiates between normal, temporary discharges (like seminal emission or menstruation) and abnormal, prolonged discharges (zav). The regulations ensure the purity of the Israelites, reflecting God's absolute holiness and demanding a distinct way of life for His covenant people. Verse 17 specifically extends the impurity of seminal emission beyond the individual to the objects they might contaminate through contact. This system of ritual purity, observed daily, constantly reminded the community of the need for holiness and the consequences of defilement, even non-moral ones, in order to approach a holy God and His dwelling place among them. These laws were not merely about hygiene but served as spiritual instructors, teaching separation, discipline, and ultimately pointing to the pervasive nature of sin's defilement which requires a deeper, ultimate cleansing.

Leviticus 15 17 Word analysis

• הַבֶּגֶד֙ (ha·bbeḡeḏ): "The garment." From beged (בֶּגֶד), referring to an article of clothing. This highlights that common, everyday items could become ritually defiled, signifying that ritual purity extended beyond the individual to their environment.
• אוֹ (ʾōw): "or." A disjunctive particle, presenting an alternative to "garment," indicating the breadth of objects that could be affected.
• כָּל־ע֖וֹר (kāl-ʿōwr): "any skin." Kol (כָּל) means "all, every, any," and 'or (עוֹר) means "skin, hide, leather." This specifies materials made from animal skins, such as leather items, rugs, or coverings, reinforcing that various common household or personal objects are included in the purity regulations.
• אֲשֶׁ֨ר (ʾă·šēr): "that/which." A relative pronoun linking the objects to the condition that follows.
• יִהְיֶ֥ה (yihyēh): "is/shall be." From hayah (הָיָה), "to be, become." Indicates the state or condition that triggers the uncleanness.
• עָלָיו֙ (ʿālāw): "on it." Al (עַל) "on, upon"; the suffix "–aw" refers back to the "garment" or "skin." Specifies the location of the contamination.
• שִׁכְבַת־זֶ֔רַע (šicbatzera'): "discharge of semen." Shikhbat (שִׁכְבַת), a form related to "lying down" or "emission," and zera' (זֶרַע), meaning "seed, semen." This is the specific contaminant. Its inclusion emphasizes God's concern with all bodily emissions in the context of ritual purity.
• וְכֻבַּ֧ס (weḵubbass): "and shall be washed." Ve (וְ) "and"; kubbass from kabas (כָּבַס), a Piel stem indicating intensive action, "to wash thoroughly, scour." It suggests a vigorous, complete cleansing effort is required, not just a casual rinse.
• בַּמַּ֙יִם֙ (bammâyim): "with water." Ba (בַּ) "in/with"; mayim (מַיִם) "water." Water is the standard, universal agent for ritual purification in the Mosaic Law. It signifies physical removal of the defilement.
• וְטָמֵ֥א (wetâmēʾ): "and be unclean." Ve (וְ) "and"; tame' (טָמֵא) "unclean, impure, defiled." This term denotes the ritual state, not necessarily a moral state, preventing participation in sacred acts or community life until purified.
• עַד־הָעָֽרֶב (ʿadhāʿārev): "until the evening." Ad (עַד) "until"; ha'erev (הָעֶרֶב) "the evening" (specifically, sunset, when a new day according to Jewish reckoning begins). This defines the temporary nature of the impurity, emphasizing that the state is not permanent and resolves by a prescribed time and action, allowing re-entry into the pure community.

Words-group analysis:

• "The garment also, or any skin": This phrase indicates the reach of defilement beyond the individual to their possessions, showing that holiness requirements permeated every aspect of Israelite life and material environment.
• "on which is the discharge of semen": This precisely identifies the cause and method of impurity. It highlights the direct contact required for contamination, ensuring clarity on the boundaries of defilement.
• "shall be washed with water": This outlines the required purification ritual. The simplicity of water underscores that while the defilement is serious, its removal through an act of obedience and natural means is part of the divine design.
• "and be unclean until the evening": This phrase encapsulates both the resultant state of ritual impurity and its limited duration. The waiting period reinforces that the purity laws involve a process of cleansing that is not instantaneous but follows a divine timetable, signifying the gravity of impurity even if temporary.

Leviticus 15 17 Bonus section

• The meticulous nature of these laws taught the Israelites about God's attention to detail and His pervasive holiness, extending beyond the sanctuary into every aspect of daily life.
• The ritual uncleanness resulting from seminal emission, being a natural bodily function, highlights that these laws were not primarily about hygiene in a modern medical sense but about order, distinction, and sacred purity.
• The requirement of "washing with water" demonstrates that cleansing required active human participation in the divine process of purification.
• The concept of impurity not only restricted access to sacred spaces but also taught a visual lesson about the consequences of defilement, preparing Israel for the more profound truth of sin's defiling nature.

Leviticus 15 17 Commentary

Leviticus 15:17 forms part of a meticulous set of laws governing ritual purity in ancient Israel. While not moral defilement, the state of ritual uncleanness rendered individuals and their possessions unsuitable for holy activities, including approaching God's presence in the Tabernacle. This verse extends the impurity of seminal emission from the man (as described in 15:16) to inanimate objects like clothing or animal skins. The contact with the seminal discharge, even a naturally occurring one, conveys uncleanness, requiring the object to be thoroughly washed with water. This washing, while practical, also held deep symbolic weight, representing purification and removal of the defilement. The stipulation "unclean until the evening" is a common feature in purity laws, indicating the temporary nature of many such impurities. It demonstrates God's grace by allowing for regular, predictable return to a state of ritual cleanliness, facilitating the Israelites' ongoing participation in community life and worship without perpetual isolation. The entire system aimed to impress upon Israel the constant presence of God's holiness and their need for a diligent and consistent striving for purity to maintain fellowship with Him. These laws foreshadowed a deeper, spiritual cleansing that water and time could not ultimately provide, a cleansing achieved through Christ's perfect sacrifice, where internal defilement is addressed and complete purity before God is offered (Heb 9:13-14).