Leviticus 15 8

Leviticus 15:8 kjv

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.

Leviticus 15:8 nkjv

If he who has the discharge spits on him who is clean, then he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening.

Leviticus 15:8 niv

"?'If the man with the discharge spits on anyone who is clean, they must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening.

Leviticus 15:8 esv

And if the one with the discharge spits on someone who is clean, then he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening.

Leviticus 15:8 nlt

If the man spits on you, you must wash your clothes and bathe yourself in water, and you will remain unclean until evening.

Leviticus 15 verses

Leviticus 15 8 Meaning

This verse details a specific scenario of ritual impurity: if a person with an abnormal bodily discharge (known as a zov) spits on someone who is ritually clean, the clean person then becomes ritually defiled. To purify, they must wash their clothes, bathe their entire body in water, and remain in a state of impurity until sunset. This law underscores the contagiousness of ritual defilement through direct bodily fluid contact, specifically spittle, and prescribes the immediate steps required for purification.

Leviticus 15 8 Context

Leviticus 15 is part of a larger section of the Torah (Leviticus chapters 11-15) that delineates laws of purity and impurity regarding various states and substances. Chapter 15 specifically addresses bodily discharges that render a person ritually unclean. These include seminal emissions, fluxes from males and females (including menstruation and abnormal flows), and direct or indirect contact with individuals experiencing these conditions or their contaminated items. The purpose of these purity laws was not solely hygienic, but primarily theological, designed to underscore the absolute holiness of God and to instruct Israel on how to maintain a sanctified state necessary for fellowship with Him and for the proper functioning of the Tabernacle/Temple worship, which symbolized God's presence in their midst. Maintaining ritual purity allowed Israelites to participate in communal life, especially religious gatherings, without defiling the holy sanctuary.

Leviticus 15 8 Word analysis

• And if he that has the discharge (זוֹב, zov): Refers to a person experiencing a bodily fluid emission mentioned earlier in the chapter (Lev 15:2-3). This "discharge" renders the person ritually unclean. The Hebrew term signifies a flux or flow, emphasizing a prolonged or recurring issue distinct from temporary emissions.
• spit (יָרַק, yaraq): Denotes the action of ejecting saliva from the mouth. Spittle, as a bodily fluid, is identified as a direct medium for transmitting ritual impurity, highlighting the close, personal nature of the contact. This action signifies a direct and intimate means of transference.
• upon him that is clean (טָהוֹר, tahor): "Clean" (tahor) indicates someone in a state of ritual purity according to the Law, eligible to participate fully in community and worship. The verb "spit" impacting this clean individual demonstrates the contagious nature of impurity, even through this specific bodily fluid.
• then he shall wash his clothes (כֶּבֶס בְּגָדִים, kevess begadim): A prescribed act of purification involving the thorough cleansing of outer garments. This step symbolizes the removal of external contamination.
• and bathe himself in water (רָחַץ בַּמַּיִם, rachatz bammayim): Refers to full immersion in water, a complete washing of the body. This is a common and fundamental act in Mosaic law for regaining ritual purity, symbolizing thorough internal and external cleansing.
• and be unclean (טָמֵא, tame) until the even (עַד הָעָרֶב, ad ha'arev): The state of impurity (tame) means temporary ritual defilement. "Until the even" specifies the duration, signifying that the impurity lasts until sundown on the day the cleansing rituals are completed. This defines the temporary nature of this ritual state and the natural endpoint for its removal, indicating that it is not a permanent stain but a remediable condition.

Words-group analysis

• "he that has the discharge spit upon him that is clean": This phrase directly addresses the transmission mechanism and its effect. It highlights that the impurity originates from the specific "discharge" (not merely from anyone who spits) and emphasizes that this particular bodily fluid acts as a vector for ritual defilement when it touches someone ritually clean. This specificity underscores the theological principle of defilement rather than a purely hygienic concern.
• "wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water": This pairing outlines the standard two-fold process of purification required for certain levels of ritual impurity. The washing of clothes represents addressing the external or outward aspect of contamination, while bathing the body signifies a comprehensive internal and personal cleansing, essential for returning to a state of ritual purity and reintegration into communal sacred spaces.
• "unclean until the even": This phrase sets the precise duration and temporal boundary of the ritual impurity. It demonstrates that such impurity is temporary and time-bound, ending with the transition to a new day at sunset. This characteristic allowed individuals to re-enter communal life and access the sanctuary, distinguishing ritual impurity from indelible moral sin and highlighting the gracious provision for purification within the covenant.

Leviticus 15 8 Bonus section

• The emphasis on spittle in this verse shows that even minor, direct bodily emissions could transmit ritual impurity, indicating a profound theological concern with purity rather than merely a hygienic one.
• The ritual impurity described in Leviticus is not sin. One could become tame (unclean) without having committed a chattah (sin). It signified a state of separation from the sacred.
• The instruction "until the even" provided a practical and merciful timeline for purification. It was not a permanent or overwhelming state, allowing the affected person to return to full communal life by the next day, assuming the cleansing rites were performed.
• In ancient cultures, bodily fluids were sometimes associated with magical or pagan rituals. These laws of ritual purity, therefore, provided a clear, divinely-instituted counter-narrative, establishing proper boundaries for holiness unique to Yahweh's people.

Leviticus 15 8 Commentary

Leviticus 15:8 functions within Israel's system of ritual purity, emphasizing God's absolute holiness and the necessity for His people to maintain ritual cleanness, especially when in close proximity to the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). The impurity caused by bodily discharges, while not inherently sinful, rendered an individual temporarily separate from communal worship and sacred spaces. The specific mention of "spit" from a zov underscores the direct, almost intimate, transferability of this defilement through highly personal bodily fluids.

The prescribed remedies – washing clothes and bathing in water, followed by impurity until sunset – were standard, accessible means of ritual purification. They physically separated the unclean person and then allowed a structured return to cleanness. This was a system of shadows, teaching dependency on a divine order for purity and foreshadowing the deeper spiritual cleansing that would come through Christ. Unlike this temporary defilement that required external washing, the New Covenant brings about a cleansing from sin (a moral and spiritual defilement) through the perfect sacrifice and blood of Jesus, rendering believers truly and eternally clean, enabling unfettered access to God.