Leviticus 17:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But if he wash [them] not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But if he doesn't wash them or bathe his body, he will bear the consequences of his wrongdoing."

Berean Standard Bible:

But if he does not wash his clothes and bathe himself, then he shall bear his iniquity.”

American Standard Version:

But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But if he wash^{H3526} them not, nor bathe^{H7364} his flesh^{H1320}; then he shall bear^{H5375} his iniquity^{H5771}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 17:16

1. **Themes:**
- **Ritual Purity:** The verse emphasizes the importance of ritual purity in the Israelite community. It is part of a larger set of instructions concerning the proper handling of blood, which is considered sacred and symbolic of life. The act of washing is often associated with spiritual cleansing and the removal of impurities.
- **Personal Responsibility:** The verse underscores individual accountability for adhering to religious laws. It suggests that failure to comply with the prescribed rituals results in personal guilt or iniquity.
- **Covenant Obeidence:** The regulations in Leviticus, including this verse, are part of the Mosaic covenant between God and Israel. Obedience to these laws was a sign of faithfulness to the covenant.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Israelite Priesthood:** Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses and is addressed primarily to the priests of Israel. It contains detailed instructions for worship and maintaining holiness, which were essential for the priestly duties of mediating between God and the people.
- **Post-Exodus Period:** The book of Leviticus is set after the Exodus from Egypt, during the time when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness and receiving God's laws at Mount Sinai. This period is crucial for the formation of Israel's religious identity.
- **Cultic Practices:** The verse reflects the ancient Israelite cultic practices, which involved specific rituals for dealing with blood, an essential element in sacrificial rites. Blood was seen as the life force and had to be treated with reverence, often being sprinkled or poured at the altar.
- **Social Order:** The laws in Leviticus, including those on purity, helped to structure the social and religious life of the Israelite community, distinguishing it from the practices of neighboring peoples and reinforcing the unique relationship between God and Israel.

In summary, Leviticus 17:16 reflects the themes of ritual purity, personal responsibility, and covenant faithfulness within the historical context of the post-Exodus wilderness period, where the Israelites were being instructed in the detailed requirements of their religious life to maintain their distinct identity and relationship with God.

*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: 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).
   
2. 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).
   
3. Strong's Number: H1320
   There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּשָׂר
   Transliteration: bâsâr
   Pronunciation: baw-sawr'
   Description: from בָּשַׂר; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman; body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5375
   There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָשָׂא
   Transliteration: nâsâʼ
   Pronunciation: naw-saw'
   Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5771
   There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָוֺן
   Transliteration: ʻâvôn
   Pronunciation: aw-vone'
   Description: or עָווֹן; (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (אֲבַד)), from עָוָה; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil; fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.