Leviticus 15:1-12

How does a continuing discharge affect a man’s ritual state?

Berean Standard Bible

1 And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “Say to the Israelites, ‘When any man has a bodily discharge, the discharge is unclean. 3 This uncleanness is from his discharge, whether his body allows the discharge to flow or blocks it. So his discharge will bring about uncleanness. 4 Any bed on which the man with the discharge lies will be unclean, and any furniture on which he sits will be unclean. 5 Anyone who touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. 6 Whoever sits on furniture on which the man with the discharge was sitting must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. 7 Whoever touches the body of the man with a discharge must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. 8 If the man with the discharge spits on one who is clean, that person must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. 9 Any saddle on which the man with the discharge rides will be unclean. 10 Whoever touches anything that was under him will be unclean until evening, and whoever carries such things must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. 11 If the man with the discharge touches anyone without first rinsing his hands with water, the one who was touched must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. 12 Any clay pot that the man with the discharge touches must be broken, and any wooden utensil must be rinsed with water.

What is the context?

The Lord next addresses a man with a bodily discharge and the effects of contact with him, his bed, seats, and other objects. The rules specify washing, bathing, waiting until evening, and the treatment of certain vessels.

The subject is a continuing condition, with the later paragraph addressing what happens when it stops. The text does not state one named modern diagnosis or say which individual act caused the condition in every case.

How is this passage commonly understood?

The USCCB notes distinguish this condition from the semen emissions discussed later. Wesley also reads it as a continuing discharge, though his further medical and moral explanation goes beyond what the passage states. The rules concern ritual effects and response, rather than a permission to shame or accuse a particular sufferer.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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