Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Leviticus » Chapter 15 » Verse 1-33

Leviticus 15:1-33 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Moses H4872 and to Aaron, H175 saying, H559

2 Speak H1696 unto the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 and say H559 unto them, When any H376 man H376 hath a running issue H2100 out of his flesh, H1320 because of his issue H2101 he is unclean. H2931

3 And this shall be his uncleanness H2932 in his issue: H2101 whether his flesh H1320 run H7325 with his issue, H2101 or his flesh H1320 be stopped H2856 from his issue, H2101 it is his uncleanness. H2932

4 Every bed, H4904 whereon he lieth H7901 that hath the issue, H2100 is unclean: H2930 and every thing, H3627 whereon he sitteth, H3427 shall be unclean. H2930

5 And whosoever H376 toucheth H5060 his bed H4904 shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and bathe H7364 himself in water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

6 And he that sitteth H3427 on any thing H3627 whereon he sat H3427 that hath the issue H2100 shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and bathe H7364 himself in water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

7 And he that toucheth H5060 the flesh H1320 of him that hath the issue H2100 shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and bathe H7364 himself in water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

8 And if he that hath the issue H2100 spit H7556 upon him that is clean; H2889 then he shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and bathe H7364 himself in water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

9 And what saddle H4817 soever he rideth H7392 upon that hath the issue H2100 shall be unclean. H2930

10 And whosoever toucheth H5060 any thing that was under him shall be unclean H2930 until the even: H6153 and he that beareth H5375 any of those things shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and bathe H7364 himself in water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

11 And whomsoever he toucheth H5060 that hath the issue, H2100 and hath not rinsed H7857 his hands H3027 in water, H4325 he shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and bathe H7364 himself in water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

12 And the vessel H3627 of earth, H2789 that he toucheth H5060 which hath the issue, H2100 shall be broken: H7665 and every vessel H3627 of wood H6086 shall be rinsed H7857 in water. H4325

13 And when he that hath an issue H2100 is cleansed H2891 of his issue; H2101 then he shall number H5608 to himself seven H7651 days H3117 for his cleansing, H2893 and wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and bathe H7364 his flesh H1320 in running H2416 water, H4325 and shall be clean. H2891

14 And on the eighth H8066 day H3117 he shall take H3947 to him two H8147 turtledoves, H8449 or two H8147 young H1121 pigeons, H3123 and come H935 before H6440 the LORD H3068 unto the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and give H5414 them unto the priest: H3548

15 And the priest H3548 shall offer H6213 them, the one H259 for a sin offering, H2403 and the other H259 for a burnt offering; H5930 and the priest H3548 shall make an atonement H3722 for him before H6440 the LORD H3068 for his issue. H2101

16 And if any man's H376 seed H2233 of copulation H7902 go out H3318 from him, then he shall wash H7364 all his flesh H1320 in water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

17 And every garment, H899 and every skin, H5785 whereon is the seed H2233 of copulation, H7902 shall be washed H3526 with water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

18 The woman H802 also with whom man H376 shall lie H7901 with seed H2233 of copulation, H7902 they shall both bathe H7364 themselves in water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

19 And if a woman H802 have an issue, H2100 and her issue H2101 in her flesh H1320 be blood, H1818 she shall be put apart H5079 seven H7651 days: H3117 and whosoever toucheth H5060 her shall be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

20 And every thing that she lieth H7901 upon in her separation H5079 shall be unclean: H2930 every thing also that she sitteth H3427 upon shall be unclean. H2930

21 And whosoever toucheth H5060 her bed H4904 shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and bathe H7364 himself in water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

22 And whosoever toucheth H5060 any thing H3627 that she sat H3427 upon shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and bathe H7364 himself in water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

23 And if it be on her bed, H4904 or on any thing H3627 whereon she sitteth, H3427 when he toucheth H5060 it, he shall be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

24 And if any man H376 lie H7901 with her at all, H7901 and her flowers H5079 be upon him, he shall be unclean H2930 seven H7651 days; H3117 and all the bed H4904 whereon he lieth H7901 shall be unclean. H2930

25 And if a woman H802 have H2100 an issue H2101 of her blood H1818 many H7227 days H3117 out H3808 of the time H6256 of her separation, H5079 or if it run H2100 beyond the time H5921 of her separation; H5079 all the days H3117 of the issue H2101 of her uncleanness H2932 shall be as the days H3117 of her separation: H5079 she shall be unclean. H2931

26 Every bed H4904 whereon she lieth H7901 all the days H3117 of her issue H2101 shall be unto her as the bed H4904 of her separation: H5079 and whatsoever H3627 she sitteth H3427 upon shall be unclean, H2931 as the uncleanness H2932 of her separation. H5079

27 And whosoever toucheth H5060 those things shall be unclean, H2930 and shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and bathe H7364 himself in water, H4325 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

28 But if she be cleansed H2891 of her issue, H2101 then she shall number H5608 to herself seven H7651 days, H3117 and after H310 that she shall be clean. H2891

29 And on the eighth H8066 day H3117 she shall take H3947 unto her two H8147 turtles, H8449 or two H8147 young H1121 pigeons, H3123 and bring H935 them unto the priest, H3548 to the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation. H4150

30 And the priest H3548 shall offer H6213 the one H259 for a sin offering, H2403 and the other H259 for a burnt offering; H5930 and the priest H3548 shall make an atonement H3722 for her before H6440 the LORD H3068 for the issue H2101 of her uncleanness. H2932

31 Thus shall ye separate H5144 the children H1121 of Israel H3478 from their uncleanness; H2932 that they die H4191 not in their uncleanness, H2932 when they defile H2930 my tabernacle H4908 that is among H8432 them.

32 This is the law H8451 of him that hath an issue, H2100 and of him whose seed H2233 H7902 goeth H3318 from him, and is defiled H2930 therewith;

33 And of her that is sick H1739 of her flowers, H5079 and of him that hath H2100 an issue, H2101 of the man, H2145 and of the woman, H5347 and of him H376 that lieth H7901 with her that is unclean. H2931

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Leviticus 15

Commentary on Leviticus 15 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 15

In this chapter we have laws concerning other ceremonial uncleannesses contracted either by bodily disease like that of the leper, or some natural incidents, and this either,

  • I. In men (v. 1-18). Or,
  • II. In women (v. 19-33). We need not be at all curious in explaining these antiquated laws, it is enough if we observe the general intention; but we have need to be very cautious lest sin take occasion by the commandment to become more exceedingly sinful; and exceedingly sinful it is when lust is kindled by sparks of fire from God's altar. The case is bad with the soul when it is putrefied by that which should purify it.

Lev 15:1-18

We have here the law concerning the ceremonial uncleanness that was contracted by running issues in men. It is called in the margin (v. 2) the running of the reins: a very grievous and loathsome disease, which was, usually the effect and consequent of wantonness and uncleanness, and a dissolute course of life, filling men's bones with the sins of their youth, and leaving them to mourn at the last, when all the pleasures of their wickedness have vanished, and nothing remains but the pain and anguish of a rotten carcase and a wounded conscience. And what fruit has the sinner then of those things whereof he has so much reason to be ashamed? Rom. 6:21. As modesty is an ornament of grace to the head and chains about the neck, so chastity is health to the navel and marrow to the bones; but uncleanness is a wound and dishonour, the consumption of the flesh and the body, and a sin which is often its own punishment more than any other. It was also sometimes inflicted by the righteous hand of God for other sins, as appears by David's imprecation of a curse upon the family of Joab, for the murder of Abner. 2 Sa. 3:29, Let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or is a leper. A vile disease for vile deserts. Now whoever had this disease upon him,

  • 1. He was himself unclean, v. 2. He must not dare to come near the sanctuary, it was at his peril if he did, nor might he eat of the holy things. This signified the filthiness of sin, and of all the productions of our corrupt nature, which render us odious to God's holiness, and utterly unfit for communion with him. Out of a pure heart well kept are the issues of life (Prov. 4:23), but out of an unclean heart comes that which is defiling, Mt. 12:34, 35.
  • 2. He made every person and thing unclean that he touched, or that touched him, v. 4-12. His bed, and his chair, and his saddle, and every thing that belonged to him, could not be touched without a ceremonial uncleanness contracted, which a man must remain conscious to himself of till sunset, and from which he could not be cleansed without washing his clothes, and bathing his flesh in water. This signified the contagion of sin, the danger we are in of being polluted by conversing with those that are polluted, and the need we have with the utmost circumspection to save ourselves from this untoward generation.
  • 3. When he was cured of the disease, yet he could not be cleansed from the pollution without a sacrifice, for which he was to prepare himself by seven days' expectation after he was perfectly clear from his distemper, and by bathing in spring water, v. 13-15. This signified the great gospel duties of faith and repentance, and the great gospel privileges of the application of Christ's blood to our souls for our justification and his grace for our sanctification. God has promised to sprinkle clean water upon us, and to cleanse us from all our filthiness, and has appointed us by repentance to wash and make ourselves clean: he has also provided a sacrifice of atonement, and requires us by faith to interest ourselves in that sacrifice; for it is the blood of Christ his Son that cleanses us from all sin, and by which atonement is made for us, that we may have admission into God's presence and may partake of his favour.

Lev 15:19-33

This is concerning the ceremonial uncleanness which women lay under from their issues, both those that were regular and healthful, and according to the course of nature (v. 19-24), and those that were unseasonable, excessive, and the disease of the body; such was the bloody issue of that poor woman who was suddenly cured by touching the hem of Christ's garment, after she had lain twelve years under her distemper, and had spent her estate upon physicians and physic in vain. This made the woman that was afflicted with it unclean (v. 25) and every thing she touched unclean, v. 26, 27. And if she was cured, and found by seven days' trial that she was perfectly free from her issue of blood, she was to be cleansed by the offering of two turtle-doves or two young pigeons, to make an atonement for her, v. 28, 29. All wicked courses, particularly idolatries, are compared to the uncleanness of a removed woman (Eze. 36:17), and, in allusion to this, it is said of Jerusalem (Lam. 1:9), Her filthiness is in her skirts, so that (as it follows, v. 17) she was shunned as a menstruous woman.

  • I. The reasons given for all these laws (which we are ready to think might very well have been spared) we have, v. 31.
    • 1. Thus shall you separate the children of Israel (for to them only and their servants and proselytes these laws pertained) from their uncleanness; that is,
      • (1.) By these laws they were taught their privilege and honour, that they were purified unto God a peculiar people, and were intended by the holy God for a kingdom of priests, a holy nation; for that was a defilement to them which was not so to others.
      • (2.) They were also taught their duty, which was to preserve the honour of their purity, and to keep themselves from all sinful pollutions. It was easy for them to argue that if those pollutions which were natural, unavoidable, involuntary, their affliction and not their sin, rendered them for the time so odious that they were not fit for communion either with God or man, much more abominable and filthy were they if they sinned against the light and law of nature, by drunkenness, adultery, fraud, and the like sins, which defile the very mind and conscience. And, if these ceremonial pollutions could not be done away but by sacrifice and offering, something greater and much more valuable must be expected and depended upon for the purifying of the soul from the uncleanness of sin.
    • 2. Thus their dying in their uncleanness by the hand of God's justice, if while they were under any of these defilements they should come near the sanctuary, would be prevented. Note, It is a dangerous thing to die in our uncleanness; and it is our own fault if we do, since we have not only fair warning given us, by God's law, against those things that will defile us, but also such gracious provision made by his gospel for our cleansing if at any time we be defiled.
    • 3. In all these laws there seems to be a special regard had to the honour of the tabernacle, to which none must approach in their uncleanness, that they defile not my tabernacle. Infinite Wisdom took this course to preserve in the minds of that careless people a continual dread of, and veneration for, the manifestations of God's glory and presence among them in his sanctuary. Now that the tabernacle of God was with men familiarity would be apt to breed contempt, and therefore the law made so many things of frequent incidence to be ceremonial pollutions, and to involve an incapacity of drawing near to the sanctuary (making death the penalty), that so they might not approach without great caution, and reverence, and serious preparation, and fear of being found unfit. Thus they were taught never to draw near to God but with an awful humble sense of their distance and danger, and an exact observance of every thing that was required in order to their safety and acceptance.
  • II. And what duty must we learn from all this?
    • 1. Let us bless God that we are not under the yoke of these carnal ordinances, that, as nothing can destroy us, so nothing can defile us, but sin. Those may now partake of the Lord's supper who durst not then eat of the peace-offerings. And the defilement we contract by our sins of daily infirmity we may be cleansed from in secret by the renewed acts of repentance and faith, without bathing in water or bringing an offering to the door of the tabernacle.
    • 2. Let us carefully abstain from all sin, as defiling to the conscience, and particularly from all fleshly lusts, possessing our vessel in sanctification and honour, and not in the lusts of uncleanness, which not only pollute the soul, but war against it, and threaten its ruin.
    • 3. Let us all see how indispensably necessary real holiness is to our future happiness, and get our hearts purified by faith, that we may see God. Perhaps it is in allusion to these laws which forbade the unclean to approach the sanctuary that when it is asked, Who shall stand in God's holy place? it is answered, He that hath clean hands and a pure heart (Ps. 24:3, 4); for without holiness no man shall see the Lord.