Leviticus 15:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even.

Complete Jewish Bible:

If the person with the discharge spits on someone who is clean, the latter is to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening.

Berean Standard Bible:

If the man with the discharge spits on one who is clean, that person must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

American Standard Version:

And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean, then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And if he that hath the issue^{H2100} spit^{H7556} upon him that is clean^{H2889}; then he shall wash^{H3526} his clothes^{H899}, and bathe^{H7364} himself in water^{H4325}, and be unclean^{H2930} until the even^{H6153}.

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Commentary for Leviticus 15:8

1. **Themes:**
- **Ritual Purity:** Leviticus 15 deals with the laws of purity and impurity, particularly regarding bodily discharges. The verse reflects the theme of maintaining ritual purity within the Israelite community.
- **Contagion of Impurity:** The verse indicates that impurity can be transmitted through contact, in this case, through spitting. This underscores the belief in a form of ritual contagion.
- **Purification Process:** The requirement for the clean person to wash clothes and bathe emphasizes the importance of cleansing rituals to restore purity.
- **Temporal Nature of Impurity:** The phrase "until the even" suggests the temporary nature of impurity, which can be resolved through the prescribed purification process by sunset.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Israelite Law and Society:** Leviticus is part of the Pentateuch, traditionally believed to have been written by Moses. It contains laws given to the Israelites after their Exodus from Egypt, which were to govern their religious and social life.
- **Holiness Code:** Leviticus 15 is part of the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26), which outlines rules to maintain the sanctity of the Israelite camp and later the Temple in Jerusalem. These laws were designed to set Israel apart as a holy nation dedicated to God.
- **Cultic Practices:** The concern with purity reflects the practices of ancient cults, where priests had to be ritually clean to perform temple services. These laws would have been particularly relevant when the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) was the center of Israelite worship.
- **Health and Hygiene:** While primarily religious in nature, these laws may also have had practical health benefits, as they encouraged hygiene practices that could prevent the spread of disease.

In summary, Leviticus 15:8 reflects the theme of ritual purity in the context of Israelite religious law, emphasizing the contagious nature of impurity, the necessity of purification rituals, and the temporary state of impurity, all within the broader historical context of the Israelites' establishment as a holy nation under God's covenant.

*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: H2100
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זוּב
   Transliteration: zûwb
   Pronunciation: zoob
   Description: a primitive root; to flow freely (as water), i.e. (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow; flow, gush out, have a (running) issue, pine away, run.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7556
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָקַק
   Transliteration: râqaq
   Pronunciation: raw-kak'
   Description: a primitive root; to spit; spit.
   
3. 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).
   
4. Strong's Number: H3526
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּבַס
   Transliteration: kâbaç
   Pronunciation: kaw-bas'
   Description: a primitive root; to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative; fuller, wash(-ing).
   
5. Strong's Number: H899
   There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֶּגֶד
   Transliteration: beged
   Pronunciation: behg'-ed
   Description: from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.
   
6. 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).
   
7. 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)).
   
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.
   
9. 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.