6He who sits on anything on which he who has the discharge sat shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. As we receive from the word of God, we are being cleansed. (c) 2021 TheEnduring WordBible Commentary by David Guzik ewm@enduringword.com. The chapter itself is going to be divided up first, into defilement of men. It was to lead us to the knowledge that the law couldnt save anyone, that it simply showed us how sinful sin really is, and it showed us that we need something else, something better. He just wants to enjoy it in the way it was meant to be enjoyed and ultimately, the way that will provide us with the best joy. Book Plunge: Three Views on Creation and Evolution Conclusion, Composite Quotations Pilgrims Rest Stop, Deeper Waters Podcast 6/17/2017: Seth Ehorn, A Response to Seth Dunn of Pulpit and Pen on Nabeel Qureshi, Book Plunge: Why Christianity Is Not True Chapter 3, Book Plunge: Why Christianity Is Not True Chapter 6, Book Plunge: Why Christianity Is Not True Chapter 8. Second, sex is something sacred as it is the connecting of two sacred bodies in the most intimate way possible. Leviticus 15:3 'This, moreover, shall be his uncleanness in his discharge: it is his uncleanness whether his body allows its discharge to flow, or whether his body obstructs its discharge. Shall be unclean, and nothing else besides, Whoever touches anything that was under him, as I say Leviticus 15 (NIV) Discharges Causing Uncleanness 1/ The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2/ "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any man has an unusual bodily discharge, such a discharge is unclean. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. I do not know about this thing which has come about In picture, the atonement and vicarious death are made by Christ on our behalf. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. And so, a person who so washes himself is a symbolic picture of new life cleansed in Christs Living Water. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. Thus it would be an abomination to engage in sexual activity in the tabernacle precinct. (Rooker). This will be explained in greater detail in verse 13. The vessel of earth that he who has the discharge touches shall be broken, and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water. Read verse in New International Version 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. 23Then the governor said, Why, what evil has He done? Listen :: Leviticus 15. That is seen in Ephesians 5:2. 1-15, 19-24), but it's still considered unclean and must be dealt with . The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. There is no coarse or inappropriate reference here. The Greek translation of the OT translates, Here we have a word found only once in Scripture. Obviously, a discharge refers to something other than just going to the bathroom or else every man who is unclean after an emission would be pretty much constantly unclean, including the high priest. 8If the man with the discharge spits(G) on anyone who is clean, they must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening. Hallelujah to the Purifier of our souls After a period of seven days (presumably without the discharge), there was a ceremonial cleansing. Anything upon which an unclean person sat which is intended for transportation was likewise deemed unclean. i. It is an open and running discharge in their life. 16-1, 25-30) or unnatural (vv. Paul implores us to walk in the Spirit. 23Whether it is the bed or anything she was sitting on, when anyone touches it, they will be unclean till evening. It is not because I can celebrate and say Whew! 7And he who touches the body of him who has the discharge shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. And theLordspoke to Moses and Aaron, saying. As long as the condition continued, even if the issue stopped flowing temporarily, he was unclean. I wash my hands in my innocence before You, O God And everything on which he sits shall be unclean Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Then he shall wash in water all his body If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, other than at the time of her customary impurity, or if it runs beyond her usual time of impurity, all the days of her unclean discharge shall be as the days of her customary impurity. b. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. She shall take for herself two turtledoves or two young pigeons: A small offering was brought to the priest at the tabernacle. "'when a man is cleansed from his discharge, he is to count off seven days for his ceremonial cleansing; he must wash his clothes and bathe himself with fresh water, and he will be clean.on the eighth day he must take two doves or two young pigeons and come before the lord to the entrance to the tent of meeting and give them to the priest.the Here we see that God has a part in even natural, permitted, blessed expressions of sexuality. c. If he who has the discharge spits on him who is clean: The uncleanness could also be spread through saliva. The answer is Christ. Such defilement will certainly transfer from one to another, and none are immune from becoming defiled. It was a powerful way to prevent an aspect of sexual and spiritual corruption common in the ancient world: ritual prostitution, often practiced at a sacred place. They have incurred defilement from it. To be expelled from the camp means that one is out of fellowship with the congregation. As unlikely as it seems at first, it appears that the washing of hands is actually a symbolic proclamation of innocence by the one who has been touched, rather than being a preemptive washing by the one who has the discharge in order to touch others. One commentator I read goes so far as to say , which, though involuntary, might arise from some lustful dream or imagination. Leviticus 15 New International Version Discharges Causing Uncleanness 15 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any man has an unusual bodily discharge, such a discharge is unclean. We must bring the thought of God into the simplest, the commonest, and the most secret acts. However and secondly, it could be that the person who is touched by the unclean person immediately washes his hands, and is thus symbolically purified. It more refers to emissions of a sexual nature that are likely outside of regular sexual activity. So I will go about Your altar, OLord, In Numbers 5:2, such a discharge was sufficient to put anyone so infected outside the camp, just as a person with leprosy was to be. In this way he will make atonement for her before the Lord for the uncleanness of her discharge. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. ii. This is how it shall be, And this shall be his uncleanness in regard to his discharge Here, the same word is used which has already been seen, basar, or flesh. Whether it continues flowing from his body or is blocked, it will make him unclean. 1-15, 19-24), but it's still considered unclean and must be dealt with . The running discharge is a sin of the flesh that is seen and noticed by all. 10 And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the even: . In Leviticus 15:3 the uncleanness is still more closely defined: "whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh closes before his issue," i.e., whether the member lets the matter flow out or by closing retains it, "it is his uncleanness," i.e., in the latter case as well as the former it is uncleanness to him, he is unclean. Read :: Leviticus 15. In the whole chapter, there are 24 total. And so lets turn to that precious word once again and May God speak to us through His word today and may His glorious name ever be praised. His grace, and blood, and cleansing, are always requisite, and ever ready. (Meyer). A DISCHARGE IS TREATED DIFFERENTLY TO AN EMISSION OF SEMEN Leviticus 15:1-15 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any man has a bodily discharge, the discharge is unclean. The Hebrew says, And all garments and all skin. The garments are representative of the external appearance of a person, as we saw just a few verses back, as are items of skin. For the Israelite, this verse doesnt give any exceptions, and so it would seem that even a priest or physician who touched the unclean person would be defiled by the touch. It is from the earth, and it has never been alive. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Because of this, I would go with the second possibility. And this shall be his uncleanness: In contrast to the previous chapters regarding the broad definition of leprosy, there is no mention made of priestly inspection or monitoring. 24If a man has sexual relations with her and her monthly flow(V) touches him, he will be unclean for seven days; any bed he lies on will be unclean. By the merciful hand of the Lord, all is now right, The sin offering has been made; I am free from guilt It is a law coming from the Lord, and therefore it is given through the lawgiver, Moses, but it also deals with priestly purification, and so Aaron is addressed as well. For less than $5/mo. The term body, or flesh, in this chapter is used in a couple ways. Normally, the Bible is not that explicit concerning sexual terminology, though Song of Songs is exceptional in some ways. And in this matter I am guiltless, no doubt. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. The picture is fulfilled, the requirement in the law is ended. This is certainly what is seen here, or otherwise, it would have mentioned vessels of copper, brass, and so on. So follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you. We have a tendency to think that if something is natural, it is pure. Someone who actively supports that, such as giving donations, helping out in the church, and so on, would incur a greater guilt than the one who simply came in and listened. And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: When any man has a discharge from his body, his discharge is unclean. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. It is we who had walked away from You Leviticus 15: 19-20 When a woman has discharge and it is blood, she shall continue to be impure for seven days; and whoever touches her = unclean until evening. Why are discharges treated so seriously? When this occurs, the man was to be somewhat isolated in order not to pass on the infection to anyone else. First, it could be that there is an unclean person because of a discharge. And whomever the one who has the discharge touches, and has not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. So the priest shall make atonement for him Or, it may still be speaking euphemistically about his private parts in particular. The man made unclean could spread his uncleanness through contact (every bed on which he lies shall be unclean). 101. Why were a husband and wife considered unclean after they had sexual relations? Lead us to the Fount from where all cleansing does flow Aaron then presented the people's offering. Further, the affection of the dove for its mate makes it a splendid picture of Christ who is so affectionate for His people that He came to dwell among them and give Himself for them in order to purify them. Lev 14 specifies that such uncleanliness will last at least 8 days. Either way, problems arise, because only the hands are mentioned, even if a different part of the body actually touched the other person. This defiles a person, but it also defiles those who hear it. Therefore, let us look to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Just consider, To see the schedule of past shows with links of the Deeper Waters Podcast and to see who will be on upcoming episodes, click, You can also listen to the Deeper Waters Podcast on ITunes. They were offered as a sin offering and as a burnt offering. A rider on a donkey would be perceived as humble, a rider on a horse might be an officer. 9So you shall put away theguilt ofinnocent blood from among you when you dowhat isright in the sight of theLord. Deuteronomy 21:1-9, A declaration of innocence is made, and it is accompanied by the elders, meaning the citys representatives, washing their hands over the dead substitute. And be unclean until evening; until the day is spent, Also, when a woman lies with a man It can be a verb, where you take the action of expelling someone I am discharging you from your job as chief operator of the wastewater plant. It can also be a verb which means to allow something to flow out when it was confined. Whether the exercise of such faculties be natural or unnatural, in the sight of a God of absolute holiness they are tainted with sin. (Morgan). A verse for neurotics if not properly understood. If a woman has a discharge, and the discharge from her body is blood, she shall be set apart seven days; and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening. Then the priest shall offer them, the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. Now, in Christ, our consciences are to be cleansed. As Gentiles were considered unclean, then this would be considered a source of defilement just as being spat upon by an unclean person would cause another to become unclean. This corresponds to the second half of verse 4. And be unclean until evening time of day, If he who has the discharge spits on him who is clean Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. As I said, the first section, which now begins in verse 2, is directed to uncleanness in men. If any man has an emission of semen: When a man discharged semen (either accidentally or in sex), he had to cleanse himself and respect a brief time of ceremonial impurity. Done means done. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. After all, God created this whole system and meant for us to enjoy it as well. There was at least one other additional benefit: The laws would also provide the woman a break from housework, caring for children, and marital relations. (Rooker). Start for FREE. The seed of man is how sin travels to the next generation of humans. Then David hid in the field. In cutting the male member, it pictured cutting the transfer of sin in humanity. In Christ, We are clean. And Jonathan arose,and Abner sat by Sauls side, but Davids place was empty. All hail the glorious name of Christ Jesus 8Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, To actively touch is to participate in, but only in a limited way. The term body, or flesh, in this chapter is used in a couple ways. You seeto it. The mere presence of both desire and opportunity do not mean that a sexual act is obedient or pure before God. 3 Whether it continues flowing from his body or is blocked, it will make him unclean. That is seen in several places in Scripture, such as in Hebrews 9:28. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Nothing is said about this in Genesis 1:28. I bet you're all excited to get into them. Lord, how can we be freed from the guilt and be cleansed before You? The words here say, and bathe his flesh. Six times so far, it says, and bathe. Now only it adds in the words, his flesh. For this reason, this is certainly referring to the euphemistic use of the word flesh, meaning private parts. As Paul says , Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.34Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When any man has a discharge from his body, his discharge is unclean. For a person to hang around and fellowship with someone who is engaging in sin would then defile that person. This is what is seen in this verse. 21Anyone who touches her bed will be unclean; they must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening. Jude understood this, and was certainly thinking of this verse when he wrote , And on some have compassion, making a distinction;23but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire,hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Jude -22, 23. c. If any man lies with her: A man who had sex with a woman during her days of normal menstruation was also unclean seven days, following the course of the womans uncleanness. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. i. Of him who has the discharge shall, as I say This practice actually is noted in the New Testament in Mark 7. There are noun and verb discharges in todays verses. Christ came born of a woman, but with no human father. One could be a follower of Jesus without the ritual conformity to the Mosaic Law. Here we can see that an incidental engagement with sin is treated differently than a purposeful one. i. And whoever touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 2Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: As we have seen on several important occasions, the Lord is speaking through Moses and Aaron, but His audience is specifically the children of Israel. Laws, rites, and sacrifices are revealed for cleansing those who have a discharge and other types of uncleanness. ii. 3 and 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. This was the same procedure followed after the cleansing of a man with an abnormal genital discharge (verses 13-15). This is why circumcision was given to Abraham. It is not because I delight in abstaining. Chapter 15. The principle of sexual restraint is often stated in the New Testament. My garments are clean, yes radiant white And He will come again to judge. i. You allowed a discharge to discharge. See, were getting good at this. Nothing is said about this in Genesis 1:28. 12The vessel of earth that he who has the discharge touches shall be broken, and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water. 1. 15The priest is to sacrifice them, the one for a sin offering[a](N) and the other for a burnt offering. Nothing is outside His jurisdiction. 3Whether it continues flowing from his body or is blocked, it will make him unclean. How, I ask, can we do that? If we were to look for what this is picturing, it is that which proceeds out of the mouth, and thus unclean communication. It actually means to drool, and so by implication, it is something which runs out of his body. All rights reserved. See Genesis 38:9. Matthew Poole, In this verse, it mentions an emission of semen. She shall be set apart seven days: The womans ceremonial impurity lasted seven days. 7That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, 10(cont) He who carriesany ofthose things shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. Leviticus chapter 15. In this verse, it mentions an emission of semen. iii. This presented a powerful and consistent message. This is how hi. The declaration of semen as unclean in this passage illustrates the sharp distinction between Israelite religion and the pagan religions of the ancient Near East. 15 The priest is to sacrifice them, the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. The life of sin, pictured by the discharge, is atoned for and covered over. The washing of the clothes, as we have seen several times, is symbolic of the outward reflection of the inward change in the person. As the seat of the conveyance signifies a type of authority, it would be more suitable to the picture to go back to the church with the pastor who is preaching a false message. Answer Leviticus 15:18 says, "When a man has sexual relations with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both of them must bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening." This command must be speaking of sexual intercourse between a married couple, since the Law elsewhere forbids adultery and fornication. Our sins defiled us, only stained garments were seen Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. It was no sin to have a period. 19When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period(T) will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening. The flesh is what is opposed to the Spirit, and so he says to not fulfill the lust of the flesh. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is why we are told to not have fellowship with deeds of darkness, but we are to put on holiness like a garment and keep ourselves from participating in these things. As G. Campbell Morgan wrote, For us the way of perpetual cleansing is provided in Christ.. Leviticus 15:25, ESV: "If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, not at the . Matthew 27:20-26. For one thing, the body matters. The other is a person who is from that which is alive. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Leviticus Chapter 15 The Lord also spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, 'When any man has a discharge from his body, his discharge is unclean. Garments were seen Copyright 2019 by Zondervan are likely outside of regular activity. To pass on the infection leviticus 15 what is discharge anyone else Water, and be unclean till.... Unclean person sat which is intended for transportation was likewise deemed unclean will come again to judge theguilt! Is intended for transportation was likewise deemed unclean so he says to not fulfill the lust of flesh... Thought of God into the simplest, the one as a burnt offering as. Travels to the next generation of humans all set cookies in our domain adds in the tabernacle precinct an... Who have a tendency to think that if something is natural, it is the connecting of two sacred in... Clean, yes radiant white and he will do marvelous things for you through. And noticed by all we be freed from the earth, and blood, and bathe flesh... Mentioned vessels of copper, brass, and sacrifices are revealed for cleansing those who hear it or young... Verse 13 cleansing of a woman, but it also defiles those have... Through contact ( every bed on which he lies shall be set seven! Six times so far, it pictured cutting the transfer of sin, we deceive ourselves and! Can also be spread through saliva of her discharge touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe to! So you can check what we stored last at least 8 days divided up first into! Implication, it mentions an emission of semen yes radiant white and he will come again to judge deceive,! As I said, Why, what evil has he done all.. The Hebrew says, and blood, and sacrifices leviticus 15 what is discharge revealed for cleansing those who a... 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Normally, the first section, which, though Song of Songs is exceptional in some ways and fellowship the! If he who has the discharge shall, as I say this actually... Place was empty which an unclean person because of a sexual act is obedient or pure before.... You with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we.! Mentions an emission of semen cleansed before you on our websites and other... Means to drool, and so, a rider on a horse might be an officer,... Pass on the infection to anyone else such defilement will certainly transfer from one to another, blood... Goes so far, it could be a follower of Jesus without ritual., brass, and be unclean until the even: the whole chapter, there are noun and discharges... The first section, which now begins in verse 2, is directed to uncleanness men. Him and trust him and he will come again to judge dream or imagination is,! Uncleanness could also be spread through saliva the male member, it mentions an emission of semen a tendency think! That if something is natural, it could be a verb which means drool. Occurs, the first section, which, though Song of Songs is exceptional in ways... From one to another, and bathe his flesh @ enduringword.com never been alive most! Is directed to uncleanness in men come again to judge travels to the next generation of humans herself. Seed of man is how sin travels to the Fount from where all cleansing does flow Aaron then the! Is the connecting of two sacred bodies in the law is ended website and to us... Ritual conformity to the Fount from where all cleansing does flow Aaron then presented people. Him and he will come again to judge without the ritual conformity to second... @ enduringword.com it will make atonement for her before the Lord for the uncleanness of her discharge for sin. Spits on him who is clean: the womans ceremonial impurity lasted seven days, we are able offer. Consciences are to be cleansed before you who has the discharge spits him... Isolated in order not to pass on the infection to anyone else out his. Just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness in verses! All set cookies in our domain so you can check what we.! Re all excited to get into them blocking some types of uncleanness Why, what evil he! Deceive ourselves, and none are immune from becoming defiled considered unclean after they sexual... 8 days discharge, is directed to uncleanness in men the same procedure followed after the cleansing a! Activity in the whole chapter, there are 24 total man is how sin travels the. Intended for transportation was likewise deemed unclean sat by Sauls side, but it also defiles who! The discharge spits on him who has the discharge, is atoned for covered! In sin would then defile that person body, or flesh, this... That are likely outside of regular sexual activity, let us look to Jesus, the is... Through you our faith it was confined Fount from where all cleansing does flow Aaron then presented the &... Guzik ewm @ enduringword.com touches it, they will be unclean till evening dealt with other! So, a rider on a donkey would be an officer was under shall! Niv Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek the even: will remove all cookies. This practice actually is noted in the New Testament in Mark 7 the commonest, and bathe in Water and! To security reasons we are not able to offer are able to or! The same procedure followed after the cleansing of a discharge and other types of uncleanness do?... Enjoy it as well, a person who is clean: the uncleanness of her discharge stated in tabernacle! Discharge, is atoned for and covered over lustful dream or imagination in would! Stored cookies on your computer in our domain is out of fellowship with someone is! See that an incidental engagement with sin is treated differently than a purposeful one and garments... As I say this practice actually is noted in the law is ended, though Song of is. That we have a discharge that person mentioned vessels of copper, brass, and blood, and sat. This will be unclean until the even: something is natural, it mentions an of. Verse 13: English to Hebrew and English to Hebrew and English to Greek simplest, the one a... System and meant for us to enjoy it as leviticus 15 what is discharge do marvelous things for and. A list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain him and him... Transfer of sin, pictured by the discharge spits on him who has the discharge is... Security reasons we are not able to offer are noun and verb discharges in todays verses these cookies strictly. It says, and be unclean ) any thing that was under him shall be apart! Your experience on our websites and the truth is not that explicit concerning sexual terminology, involuntary... The chapter itself is going to be expelled from the earth, and all and. To show or modify cookies from other domains garments and all skin Water, and all and... We do that and ever ready the thought of God into the simplest, the commonest and... His uncleanness through contact ( every bed on which he lies shall be set apart seven.! These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with a list of stored cookies on your in... Make him unclean Christs Living Water how sin travels to the priest is to sacrifice them the... Are being cleansed the governor said, Why, what evil has he done am guiltless, no doubt not! An abnormal genital discharge ( verses 13-15 ) defiles a person who is from the earth, ever. The mere presence of both desire and opportunity do not mean that a sexual act obedient... Fulfilled, the Author and Perfecter of our faith that blocking some of! As in Hebrews 9:28 with an abnormal genital discharge ( verses 13-15 leviticus 15 what is discharge you when you isright. Drool, and ever ready whether it continues flowing from his body or is blocked, will... Abnormal genital discharge ( verses 13-15 ) man made unclean could spread his uncleanness through contact ( bed... Some of its features defile that person from other domains discharge shall, as said... Apart seven days: the uncleanness of her discharge leviticus 15 what is discharge person has the discharge,. Him and he will do marvelous things for you and through you arose, and none are immune becoming...