King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The woman also with whom man shall lie [with] seed of copulation, they shall [both] bathe [themselves] in water, and be unclean until the even.
Complete Jewish Bible:
If a man goes to bed with a woman and has sexual relations, both are to bathe themselves in water; they will be unclean until evening.
Berean Standard Bible:
If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water, and they will remain unclean until evening.
American Standard Version:
The woman also with whom a man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The woman{H802} also with whom man{H376} shall lie{H7901} with seed{H2233} of copulation{H7902}, they shall both bathe{H7364} themselves in water{H4325}, and be unclean{H2930} until the even{H6153}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Timothy 2:22
- ¶ Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1 Samuel 21:4
- And the priest answered David, and said, [There is] no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.
1 Samuel 21:5
- And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women [have been] kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and [the bread is] in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.
Exodus 19:15
- And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at [your] wives.
1 Corinthians 6:12
- ¶ All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1 Corinthians 6:18
- Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Ephesians 5:3
- ¶ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Leviticus 15:18
1. **Themes:**
- **Ritual Purity and Impurity:** Leviticus 15:18 addresses the theme of ritual purity, which is a central concern in the book of Leviticus. The verse outlines the temporary impurity incurred by both a man and a woman following sexual intercourse.
- **Ceremonial Cleanliness:** The requirement for bathing and the subsequent period of uncleanness until evening emphasize the importance of ceremonial cleanliness in the religious life of the Israelites.
- **Regulation of Community Life:** The laws regarding purity served to regulate community life, ensuring that individuals were in a proper state of ritual cleanliness before participating in religious activities or entering the sanctuary.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Israelite Society:** The verse reflects the practices and beliefs of ancient Israelite society, which had strict rules concerning bodily fluids and their impact on ritual purity.
- **Holiness Code:** Leviticus 15 is part of the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26), which contains specific instructions for the Israelites on how to live a holy life distinct from the surrounding nations.
- **Priestly Source:** Scholars often attribute the origins of these laws to the Priestly source (P), which is one of the four sources identified in the Pentateuch. The Priestly source is characterized by its interest in priestly matters, ritual purity, and the proper order of worship.
- **Time Period:** The regulations would have been compiled during or after the Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE), although the practices themselves may be older, reflecting an even earlier understanding of purity within the community.
In summary, Leviticus 15:18 is a reflection of the Israelite concern for ritual purity, which was essential for maintaining a state of holiness and proper worship. The historical context suggests that these laws were part of a broader priestly agenda to distinguish Israelite religious practice from that of other ancient Near Eastern cultures.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H7901
There are 194 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁכַב
Transliteration: shâkab
Pronunciation: shaw-kab'
Description: a primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose); [idiom] at all, cast down, (lover-)lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay. - Strong's Number: H2233
There are 205 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זֶרַע
Transliteration: zeraʻ
Pronunciation: zeh'-rah
Description: from זָרַע; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity; [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. - Strong's Number: H7902
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁכָבָה
Transliteration: shᵉkâbâh
Pronunciation: shek-aw-baw'
Description: from שָׁכַב; a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act); [idiom] carnally, copulation, [idiom] lay, seed. - 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). - 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)). - 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. - 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.