Leviticus 11:39

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"'If an animal of a kind that you are permitted to eat dies, whoever touches its carcass will be unclean until evening.

Berean Standard Bible:

If an animal that you may eat dies, anyone who touches the carcass will be unclean until evening.

American Standard Version:

And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcass thereof shall be unclean until the even.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And if any beast^{H929}, of which ye may eat^{H402}, die^{H4191}; he that toucheth^{H5060} the carcase^{H5038} thereof shall be unclean^{H2930} until the even^{H6153}.

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Commentary for Leviticus 11:39

1. Themes:
- Ritual Purity and Cleanliness: Leviticus 11:39 emphasizes the importance of ritual purity in the lives of the Israelites. Coming into contact with the carcass of a dead animal that is otherwise permissible to eat renders a person ritually unclean until evening. This reflects the broader theme of holiness and separation from impurity as a way of life for the Israelites.
- Distinction Between Clean and Unclean: The verse is part of a larger section that distinguishes between clean and unclean animals, outlining which animals are fit for consumption and which are not. This distinction is crucial for maintaining the ritual purity required by God for His people.
- The Need for Purification: The verse implies that there is a process for regaining ritual purity after coming into contact with something unclean. In this case, the individual remains unclean until the evening, suggesting a daily cycle of purity that can be restored through the passage of time or other purification rituals.

2. Historical Context:
- The Israelites in the Wilderness: Leviticus is set during the time when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The book contains laws and regulations given by God to Moses for the community, including detailed instructions on worship, sacrifices, and personal conduct.
- Covenant Relationship: These laws were part of the covenant between God and Israel, establishing the expectations for the people in their relationship with God. Observing these laws was a sign of the Israelites' commitment to their covenant with God, who had delivered them from slavery.
- Separation from Surrounding Cultures: The dietary laws and rules regarding cleanliness served to distinguish the Israelites from neighboring peoples and their religious practices. By adhering to these laws, the Israelites maintained their unique identity as God's chosen people.

In summary, Leviticus 11:39 reflects the themes of ritual purity, the distinction between clean and unclean, and the need for purification in the historical context of the Israelites' covenant relationship with God during their wilderness journey. These laws were integral to the religious and cultural identity of the Israelites and their understanding of holiness.

*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: H929
   There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּהֵמָה
   Transliteration: bᵉhêmâh
   Pronunciation: be-hay-maw'
   Description: from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective); beast, cattle.
   
2. Strong's Number: H402
   There are 98 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אׇכְלָה
   Transliteration: ʼoklâh
   Pronunciation: ok-law'
   Description: feminine of אֻכָל; food; consume, devour, eat, food, meat.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4191
   There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוּת
   Transliteration: mûwth
   Pronunciation: mooth
   Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. 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.