Leviticus 11:36

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Nevertheless a fountain or pit, [wherein there is] plenty of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcase shall be unclean.

Complete Jewish Bible:

although a spring or cistern for collecting water remains clean. But anyone who touches one of their carcasses will become unclean.

Berean Standard Bible:

Nevertheless, a spring or cistern containing water will remain clean, but one who touches a carcass in it will be unclean.

American Standard Version:

Nevertheless a fountain or a pit wherein is a gathering of water shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcass shall be unclean.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Nevertheless a fountain^{H4599} or pit^{H953}, wherein there is plenty^{H4723} of water^{H4325}, shall be clean^{H2889}: but that which toucheth^{H5060} their carcase^{H5038} shall be unclean^{H2930}.

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Commentary for Leviticus 11:36

Leviticus 11:36 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that deals with the laws of cleanliness and uncleanliness, particularly in relation to food and ritual purity. The historical context of this verse is the Israelite society in the wilderness, as they received various laws from God through Moses, which were intended to set them apart as a holy nation and guide their daily lives according to divine standards.

The themes of Leviticus 11:36 include:

1. **Ritual Purity**: The verse distinguishes between clean and unclean states, which are important for maintaining ritual purity before God. The concept of cleanliness and uncleanness was not just about physical hygiene but also about spiritual and ceremonial purity.

2. **Separation of the Sacred and the Profane**: The laws served to separate the Israelites from practices and states of uncleanness that were common among other nations. By adhering to these laws, they acknowledged the holiness of God and their need to be ritually pure in His presence.

3. **Practicality and Discernment**: The verse provides a practical guideline regarding water sources. A large body of water, such as a fountain or pit with plenty of water, retains its clean status even if it comes into contact with a dead animal (carcase). This suggests an understanding of the natural purifying properties of flowing or abundant water.

4. **The Significance of Water**: Water is often associated with purity in the Bible. In this context, it is recognized as an element capable of maintaining cleanliness, despite the presence of something that would typically render it unclean.

5. **Law and Society**: These laws would have shaped the daily life and practices of the Israelites, influencing how they interacted with their environment and setting precedents for later Jewish traditions regarding cleanliness and dietary laws.

In summary, Leviticus 11:36 reflects the broader themes of ritual purity, the distinction between the sacred and the profane, practical guidance for maintaining purity, the significance of water as a purifying agent, and the way in which these laws structured Israelite society according to divine command.

*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: H4599
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַעְיָן
   Transliteration: maʻyân
   Pronunciation: mah-yawn'
   Description: or מַעְיְנוֹ; (Psalm 114:8), or (feminine) מַעְיָנָה; from עַיִן (as a denominative in the sense of a spring); a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction); fountain, spring, well.
   
2. Strong's Number: H953
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹר
   Transliteration: bôwr
   Pronunciation: bore
   Description: from בּוּר (in the sense of בֹּאר); a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison); cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4723
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִקְוֶה
   Transliteration: miqveh
   Pronunciation: mik-veh'
   Description: or מִקְוֵה; (1 Kings 10:28), or מִקְוֵאlemma מִּקְוֵא extra dagesh, corrected to מִקְוֵא; (2 Chronicles 1:16), from קָוָה; something waited for, i.e. confidence (objective or subjective); also a collection, i.e. (of water) a pond, or (of men and horses) a caravan or drove; abiding, gathering together, hope, linen yarn, plenty (of water), pool.
   
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: H2889
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טָהוֹר
   Transliteration: ṭâhôwr
   Pronunciation: taw-hore'
   Description: or טָהֹר; from טָהֵר; pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense); clean, fair, pure(-ness).
   
6. Strong's Number: H5060
   There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַע
   Transliteration: nâgaʻ
   Pronunciation: naw-gah'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.); beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5038
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נְבֵלָה
   Transliteration: nᵉbêlâh
   Pronunciation: neb-ay-law'
   Description: from נָבֵל; a flabby thing, i.e. a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol; (dead) body, (dead) carcase, dead of itself, which died, (beast) that (which) dieth of itself.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2930
   There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טָמֵא
   Transliteration: ṭâmêʼ
   Pronunciation: taw-may'
   Description: a primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated); defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly.