Deuteronomy 23:10

KJV

If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp:

KJV (with Strong's)

If there be among you any man {H376}, that is not clean {H2889} by reason of uncleanness that chanceth {H7137} him by night {H3915}, then shall he go {H3318} abroad {H2351} out of the camp {H4264}, he shall not come {H935} within {H8432} the camp {H4264}:

Complete Jewish Bible

If there is a man among you who is unclean because of a nocturnal emission, he is to go outside the camp; he is not to enter the camp.

Berean Standard Bible

If any man among you becomes unclean because of a nocturnal emission, he must leave the camp and stay outside.

American Standard Version

If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of that which chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 23:10 mandates the temporary exclusion of any Israelite man who becomes ritually unclean due to a nocturnal emission, requiring him to leave the camp until evening. This regulation underscores the absolute holiness of God and His dwelling presence within the Israelite community, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining a consecrated physical space to reflect the divine standard of purity. It highlights the distinction between ritual impurity—which was not a sin but required temporary separation for cleansing—and moral defilement, ensuring the sanctity and order of the camp where the Lord resided.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 23 is a collection of diverse laws and regulations governing the conduct and purity of the Israelite community as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Following sections on who may and may not enter the assembly of the Lord (Deuteronomy 23:1-8), the text shifts to rules concerning the purity of the camp itself (Deuteronomy 23:9-14). This particular verse, Deuteronomy 23:10, directly follows a general command to keep the camp holy ([Deuteronomy 23:9](/deuteronomy/23-9 "Deuteronomy 23:9 - Keep the Camp Holy")) and precedes further regulations on sanitation and the proper disposal of waste (Deuteronomy 23:12-14). It is part of a broader legal framework designed to ensure that the physical environment of God's people reflects His holy character and is suitable for His indwelling presence, connecting to the meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle and its surrounding area.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The laws in Deuteronomy were given to the Israelites as they stood on the plains of Moab, poised to enter Canaan after forty years of wilderness wandering. Their society was structured around a nomadic encampment, with the Tabernacle—the dwelling place of God—at its center. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, concepts of purity and impurity were common, often tied to cultic rituals, health, and social order. However, Israel's purity laws were uniquely grounded in the holiness of Yahweh. The "uncleanness that chanceth him by night" refers to a seminal emission, a natural bodily function that, while not sinful, rendered a person ritually impure according to the Mosaic Law. This required temporary separation and a purification process (typically washing and waiting until evening, as detailed in [Leviticus 15:16-18](/leviticus/15-16 "Leviticus 15:16-18 - Purification for Seminal Emission")), before rejoining the community's full participation, especially in sacred activities.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme underpinning Deuteronomy 23:10 is the **holiness of God** and the corresponding requirement for **purity in His presence**. The camp itself was considered holy because the Lord God walked "in the midst of thy camp" ([Deuteronomy 23:14](/deuteronomy/23-14 "Deuteronomy 23:14 - God Walks in the Camp")). This meant that any form of ritual impurity, even that arising from natural bodily functions, necessitated temporary removal to maintain the camp's sanctity. This law also highlights the crucial distinction between **ritual impurity** (a state of ceremonial defilement requiring purification) and **moral sin** (a transgression against God's moral law). While a nocturnal emission was not a sin, it temporarily rendered one unfit for full participation in the holy community. The regulation also speaks to **community order and discipline**, ensuring a disciplined and consecrated people prepared to live under God's direct governance. This principle of separation for purity is echoed in various laws throughout the Pentateuch, such as the expulsion of the unclean from the camp in [Numbers 5:2-3](/numbers/5-2 "Numbers 5:2-3 - Expulsion of the Unclean").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _ṭāmēʾ_):** This term (טָמֵא) in the Old Testament refers to a state of ritual impurity, not moral defilement. It signifies a temporary condition that renders a person unfit for participation in sacred activities or for being in the immediate presence of God's holiness (e.g., near the Tabernacle). This state could be contracted through various means, including contact with dead bodies, certain skin diseases, or bodily discharges. The purpose of declaring something or someone "unclean" was to protect the sanctity of the holy space and the people, emphasizing God's absolute transcendence and purity.
* **Camp (Hebrew, _maḥăneh_):** The Hebrew word (מַחֲנֶה) denotes an encampment, specifically the organized dwelling place of the Israelite nation in the wilderness. More than just a physical location, the "camp" was a theological concept, representing the consecrated space where God Himself resided among His people. Its purity was paramount because God "walks in the midst of thy camp" ([Deuteronomy 23:14](/deuteronomy/23-14 "Deuteronomy 23:14 - God Walks in the Camp")). Maintaining the camp's ritual purity was therefore an act of reverence and obedience, symbolizing the people's readiness for divine presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night,"**: This clause identifies the specific condition: a man who has become ritually impure due to a nocturnal emission. The phrase "chanceth him by night" clarifies that this is an involuntary, natural bodily function, not a deliberate act of sin. Despite its natural origin, the discharge of semen was categorized as a source of ritual impurity under the Mosaic Law, requiring a period of separation and cleansing.
* **"then shall he go abroad out of the camp,"**: This is the prescribed action. The individual must physically remove himself from the main encampment. This immediate removal underscores the urgency and importance of maintaining the camp's sanctity. It was not a punishment for sin, but a necessary measure to prevent the defilement of the holy space where God's presence dwelled.
* **"he shall not come within the camp:"**: This reiterates and reinforces the previous command, emphasizing the strictness of the exclusion. The man was to remain outside the camp until he had completed the prescribed purification process (usually washing and waiting until evening, as per [Leviticus 15:16](/leviticus/15-16 "Leviticus 15:16 - Purification for Seminal Emission")), after which he could re-enter. This temporary exclusion highlighted the seriousness with which God viewed the purity of His dwelling place and His people.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 23:10 employs several literary devices to convey its message. The **declarative and prescriptive tone** is characteristic of legal texts in the Pentateuch, emphasizing the absolute authority of God's commands. There is a clear use of **cause and effect**, where the "uncleanness" (cause) directly leads to the "going abroad out of the camp" (effect). The **repetition** of "out of the camp" and "within the camp" in successive clauses serves to emphasize the strictness and clarity of the boundary being enforced, reinforcing the concept of separation for purity. Furthermore, the passage functions as a form of **typology**, where the physical separation from the camp foreshadows the spiritual separation from God that sin causes, and the need for a greater cleansing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 23:10, along with other purity laws, profoundly illustrates the fundamental theological principle of God's absolute holiness and His demand for a consecrated people. The temporary exclusion for ritual impurity, though not a moral failing, served as a tangible reminder that God cannot dwell amidst defilement. This distinction between ritual and moral purity was crucial for the Israelites to grasp the nature of sin (which truly separates from God) versus ceremonial states that required purification to maintain communal holiness. The law underscores that even natural human functions, in the context of a holy God, required a ritual acknowledgment of separation and subsequent cleansing, preparing the people for a deeper understanding of true spiritual purity.

* [Leviticus 15:16-18](/leviticus/15-16 "Leviticus 15:16-18 - Laws Concerning Seminal Emissions")
* [Numbers 5:2-3](/numbers/5-2 "Numbers 5:2-3 - Expulsion of the Unclean from the Camp")
* [Exodus 19:10-15](/exodus/19-10 "Exodus 19:10-15 - Consecration Before Receiving the Law at Sinai")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While believers today are no longer bound by the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, the underlying principles of Deuteronomy 23:10 offer profound spiritual lessons. This passage reminds us of God's unchangeable holiness and His desire for His people to live in a manner that reflects His purity. The physical camp of Israel, where God walked, serves as a powerful metaphor for our lives, our churches, and the collective body of Christ today. Just as the Israelites were to maintain the physical purity of their camp, we are called to cultivate spiritual purity in our thoughts, words, and actions, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). This involves actively cleansing ourselves from moral and spiritual defilement, striving for righteousness and holiness "without which no one will see the Lord" ([Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness")). The temporary separation for ritual uncleanness can also prompt us to consider how even seemingly "natural" or "unintentional" impurities in our lives can hinder our fellowship with God and the community, urging us to seek His cleansing grace continually.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the strictness of this ancient law inform your understanding of God's holiness today?**
* **In what ways might we, as believers, inadvertently allow "uncleanness" (spiritual or moral) to hinder our fellowship with God or with the community of faith?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate greater spiritual purity in your daily life, recognizing that your "camp" is where God dwells?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "uncleanness" is referred to in Deuteronomy 23:10?**

Answer: The "uncleanness that chanceth him by night" specifically refers to a seminal emission, often a nocturnal emission or "wet dream." This was considered a source of ritual impurity under the Mosaic Law, as detailed in [Leviticus 15:16-18](/leviticus/15-16 "Leviticus 15:16-18 - Laws Concerning Seminal Emissions"). It was a natural bodily function and not a moral sin, but it rendered the individual temporarily ritually unclean, requiring a period of separation and a prescribed purification process (washing and waiting until evening) before they could re-enter the main camp or participate in sacred activities.

**Was becoming "unclean by night" considered a sin?**

Answer: No, becoming unclean by reason of a nocturnal emission was not considered a sin. It was a state of ceremonial or ritual impurity. The Mosaic Law distinguished clearly between moral transgressions (sins) and ritual impurities. While sin required atonement and forgiveness, ritual impurity required purification and temporary separation to maintain the sanctity of the community and its holy spaces. The purpose was to highlight God's absolute holiness and the need for His people to be consecrated, even in their physical state, to dwell in His presence. This distinction is vital for understanding the Old Testament purity laws.

**Why was such a strict rule necessary for something that wasn't a sin?**

Answer: This strict rule was necessary primarily because of the pervasive presence of God in the Israelite camp. [Deuteronomy 23:14](/deuteronomy/23-14 "Deuteronomy 23:14 - God Walks in the Camp") explicitly states, "For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy." Any form of impurity, even natural bodily functions, was incompatible with the divine holiness. The rule served several purposes: it instilled a deep reverence for God's sanctity, constantly reminding the people of His presence; it taught them the importance of holiness and separation from anything that defiled; and it had practical implications for sanitation and order within a large, densely populated encampment, contributing to overall community health and discipline. Ultimately, these laws were pedagogical, preparing Israel for a deeper understanding of true spiritual purity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 23:10, with its emphasis on ritual purity and temporary exclusion, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament laws concerning uncleanness highlighted humanity's inherent inability to stand perfectly clean before a holy God, even through natural bodily functions. They pointed to a deeper, spiritual uncleanness—sin—that truly separates us from God. Jesus, however, radically redefines purity. He did not become unclean by touching the unclean; rather, His touch made the unclean clean ([Mark 1:40-42](/mark/1-40 "Mark 1:40-42 - Jesus Cleanses a Leper")). He declared that defilement comes not from what enters a person, but from what comes out of their heart ([Mark 7:15-23](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15-23 - What Defiles a Person")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Christ became the ultimate sacrifice, cleansing us from all sin and impurity, making us truly clean before God once and for all ([Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). We no longer need to go "abroad out of the camp" for ritual cleansing, because in Christ, we are perpetually "in the camp" of God's presence, having been made holy and blameless through His blood ([Colossians 1:21-22](/colossians/1-21 "Colossians 1:21-22 - Reconciled in Christ")). He is our Tabernacle, our holy dwelling place, and through Him, we have bold access to the very throne of grace ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 15:16

And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even.

Numbers 5:2

Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead:

Numbers 5:3

Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.

1 Corinthians 5:11

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

1 Corinthians 5:13

But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.