King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Everything she lies on or sits on in her state of niddah will be unclean.
Berean Standard Bible:
Anything on which she lies or sits during her menstruation will be unclean,
American Standard Version:
And everything that she lieth upon in her impurity shall be unclean: everything also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And every thing that she lieth{H7901} upon in her separation{H5079} shall be unclean{H2930}: every thing also that she sitteth{H3427} upon shall be unclean{H2930}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 15:4
- Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean.
Leviticus 15:9
- And what saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue shall be unclean.
Proverbs 2:16
- To deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words;
Proverbs 2:19
- None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
Proverbs 6:35
- He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
1 Corinthians 15:33
- Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Ecclesiastes 7:26
- And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Leviticus 15:20
1. Themes:
- Ritual Purity and Cleanliness: Leviticus 15:20 emphasizes the importance of maintaining ritual purity within the Israelite community. The verse is part of a larger section detailing the laws of impurity associated with bodily discharges.
- Separation and Isolation: The verse reflects the theme of separation as a means of preserving the ritual purity of the community. A woman during her menstrual period, considered a source of impurity, is to be set apart to prevent the spread of uncleanness.
- Holiness and Worship: The concern with purity is closely tied to the holiness of God and the sanctity of worship. Only those who are ritually clean may participate in religious activities, particularly worship in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple).
2. Historical Context:
- The verse is set within the context of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, during which time God gives Moses various laws to govern the community's religious and social life.
- The laws of purity and impurity were particularly important for the ancient Israelites as they were meant to distinguish them from other nations and to remind them of their obligation to live as a holy people before God.
- These laws would have also served a hygienic purpose in a time when the understanding of disease transmission was limited, helping to prevent the spread of illness by enforcing temporary isolation and encouraging cleanliness.
- The concern with ritual purity was not unique to the Israelites but was a common feature in many ancient Near Eastern cultures, though the specifics of the rituals and the underlying theology were distinct for the Israelites.
In summary, Leviticus 15:20 reflects the broader themes of ritual purity, separation for the sake of community holiness, and the need to maintain a distinct identity as the people of God. These laws were integral to the religious and social fabric of ancient Israelite society.
*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: 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: H5079
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נִדָּה
Transliteration: niddâh
Pronunciation: nid-daw'
Description: from נָדַד; properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest); [idiom] far, filthiness, [idiom] flowers, menstruous (woman), put apart, [idiom] removed (woman), separation, set apart, unclean(-ness, thing, with filthiness). - 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: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.