Deuteronomy 23:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash [himself] with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp [again].

Complete Jewish Bible:

When evening arrives he is to bathe himself in water, and after sunset he may enter the camp.

Berean Standard Bible:

When evening approaches, he must wash with water, and when the sun sets he may return to the camp.

American Standard Version:

but it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall bathe himself in water; and when the sun is down, he shall come within the camp.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But it shall be, when evening^{H6153} cometh on^{H6437}, he shall wash^{H7364} himself with water^{H4325}: and when the sun^{H8121} is down^{H935}, he shall come^{H935} into^{H8432} the camp^{H4264} again.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 23:11

Deuteronomy 23:11 is part of a larger set of laws given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The verse specifically addresses a situation regarding personal hygiene and camp purity within the context of military life. In the historical setting, the Israelite men were often engaged in military campaigns and living in temporary camps. The instruction given in this verse reflects the need for maintaining ritual cleanliness, which was an important aspect of Israelite religious practice.

The text suggests that if a man becomes ceremonially unclean, possibly due to a nocturnal emission (as inferred from the preceding verses), he must leave the camp during the day. However, he is allowed to return in the evening after he has washed himself with water. This ritual washing would restore his state of purity, allowing him to re-enter the camp without defiling it. The themes present in this verse include the distinction between clean and unclean, the importance of maintaining ritual purity, and the communal responsibility to uphold these standards to avoid defilement of the entire camp.

In a broader sense, these laws served to instill discipline and order among the people, reinforcing their unique identity as a holy nation set apart for God. They also underscore the practical aspects of hygiene that would have been essential for the health and well-being of a large group of people living in close quarters. The requirement for washing reflects an understanding of the need for physical cleanliness, which in the ancient world was closely linked to spiritual or ritual cleanliness.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6153
   There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶרֶב
   Transliteration: ʻereb
   Pronunciation: eh'-reb
   Description: from עָרַב; dusk; [phrase] day, even(-ing, tide), night.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6437
   There are 128 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנָה
   Transliteration: pânâh
   Pronunciation: paw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.; appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early).
   
3. Strong's Number: H7364
   There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָחַץ
   Transliteration: râchats
   Pronunciation: raw-khats'
   Description: a primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of a thing); bathe (self), wash (self).
   
4. Strong's Number: H4325
   There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַיִם
   Transliteration: mayim
   Pronunciation: mah'-yim
   Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
   
5. Strong's Number: H8121
   There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁמֶשׁ
   Transliteration: shemesh
   Pronunciation: sheh'-mesh
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement; [phrase] east side(-ward), sun (rising), [phrase] west(-ward), window. See also בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ.
   
6. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8432
   There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
   Transliteration: tâvek
   Pronunciation: taw'-vek
   Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in).
   
8. Strong's Number: H4264
   There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַחֲנֶה
   Transliteration: machăneh
   Pronunciation: makh-an-eh'
   Description: from חָנָה; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts); army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents.