Leviticus 15

Leviticus 15

The big picture

Leviticus 15 opens in verse 1 with “And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 17 with “And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed…”, and closes in verse 33 with “And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and…” Repeated or prominent terms include unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Leviticus · King James Version · 33

Leviticus 15:1-7

1–7: The LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,

Leviticus 15:1–7 opens with “And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,” and reaches “And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 15 develops its own movement around unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash, with particular weight carried by issue, unclean, flesh.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,” By verse 4, the text has turned to “Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he…” It lands on “And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as issue, unclean, flesh, bathe, clothes, wash tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 15 develops its own movement around unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Aaron, Every, Israel, Moses, Speak. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 5: “And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: issue, unclean, flesh, bathe, clothes, wash

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Leviticus 15:1

    “And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,” Naming Aaron and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. Leviticus 15:2

    “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, because of…” Naming Israel and Speak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  3. Leviticus 15:3

    “And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  4. Leviticus 15:4

    “Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  5. Leviticus 15:5

    “And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  6. Leviticus 15:6

    “And he that sitteth on any thing whereon he sat that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  7. Leviticus 15:7

    “And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Leviticus 15:1-7

King James Version

1And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,

2Speak 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.

3And 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.

4Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean.

5And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

6And 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.

7And 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.

Leviticus 15:8-14

8–14: If he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall…

Leviticus 15:8–14 opens with “And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and…” and reaches “And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 15 develops its own movement around unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash, with particular weight carried by issue, water, unclean.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes…” By verse 11, the text has turned to “And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he…” It lands on “And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as issue, water, unclean, bathe, clothes, wash tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 15 develops its own movement around unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include issue, water, unclean, bathe, clothes. Its number language includes seven, two. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 11: “And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: issue, water, unclean, bathe, clothes, wash

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Leviticus 15:8

    “And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  2. Leviticus 15:9

    “And what saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue shall be unclean.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. Leviticus 15:10

    “And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  4. Leviticus 15:11

    “And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  5. Leviticus 15:12

    “And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  6. Leviticus 15:13

    “And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  7. Leviticus 15:14

    “And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Leviticus 15:8-14

King James Version

8And 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.

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

10And 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.

11And 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.

12And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.

13And 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.

14And 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:

Leviticus 15:15-21

15–21: The priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other…

Leviticus 15:15–21 opens with “And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering…” and reaches “And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 15 develops its own movement around unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash, with particular weight carried by unclean, water, copulation.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt…” By verse 18, the text has turned to “The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe…” It lands on “And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as unclean, water, copulation, issue, seed, bathe tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 15 develops its own movement around unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include unclean, water, copulation, issue, seed. Its number language includes one, seven. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 18: “The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: unclean, water, copulation, issue, seed, bathe

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Leviticus 15:15

    “And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  2. Leviticus 15:16

    “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 command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. Leviticus 15:17

    “And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  4. Leviticus 15:18

    “The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  5. Leviticus 15:19

    “And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  6. Leviticus 15:20

    “And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  7. Leviticus 15:21

    “And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Leviticus 15:15-21

King James Version

15And 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.

16And 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.

17And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even.

18The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.

19And 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.

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

21And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 15:22-28

22–28: Whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes…

Leviticus 15:22–28 opens with “And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in…” and reaches “But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 15 develops its own movement around unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash, with particular weight carried by unclean, days, separation.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself…” By verse 25, the text has turned to “And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if…” It lands on “But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 stated contrast. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as unclean, days, separation, issue, toucheth, bathe tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 15 develops its own movement around unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Every. Its number language includes seven. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 23: “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.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: unclean, days, separation, issue, toucheth, bathe

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Leviticus 15:22

    “And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  2. Leviticus 15:23

    “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.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. Leviticus 15:24

    “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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  4. Leviticus 15:25

    “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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  5. Leviticus 15:26

    “Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  6. Leviticus 15:27

    “And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  7. Leviticus 15:28

    “But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Leviticus 15:22-28

King James Version

22And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

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

24And 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.

25And 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.

26Every 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.

27And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

28But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.

Leviticus 15:29-33

29–33: On the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young…

Leviticus 15:29–33 opens with “And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them…” and reaches “And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 15 develops its own movement around unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash, with particular weight carried by issue, priest, uncleanness.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring…” By verse 31, the text has turned to “Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in…” It lands on “And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as issue, priest, uncleanness, offering, tabernacle, atonement tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 15 develops its own movement around unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Israel. Its number language includes two, one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 31: “Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: issue, priest, uncleanness, offering, tabernacle, atonement

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Leviticus 15:29

    “And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  2. Leviticus 15:30

    “And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. Leviticus 15:31

    “Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  4. Leviticus 15:32

    “This is the law of him that hath an issue, and of him whose seed goeth from him, and is defiled therewith;” The line’s distinctive content terms include defiled, goeth, issue. Its relationship to verses 31 and 33 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Leviticus 15:33

    “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…” The line’s distinctive content terms include flowers, issue, lieth. Its relationship to verses 32 shows what work it does in this passage.

Leviticus 15:29-33

King James Version

29And 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.

30And 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.

31Thus 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.

32This is the law of him that hath an issue, and of him whose seed goeth from him, and is defiled therewith;

33And 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.

Questions to keep in mind while reading

  1. Identify the people addressed and the covenant setting.
  2. Distinguish rescue, worship, holiness, justice, and community responsibility.
  3. Read commands in their literary and covenant context before making a modern application.

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.

Questions beneath the surface

  1. What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from Leviticus 15?
  2. Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
  3. What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
  4. Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?

Questions for serious personal contemplation

These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.

Observe without rushing

  1. What part of Leviticus 15 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?

  2. Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?

  3. Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Leviticus 15 develops its own movement around unclean, issue, water, bathe, wash?

  4. What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?

Examine your inner life honestly

  1. Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?

  2. What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?

  3. Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?

  4. If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?

Respond with wisdom and courage

  1. What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?

  2. How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?

  3. What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?

  4. What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?