Leviticus 11:25

KJV

And whosoever beareth [ought] of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.

KJV (with Strong's)

And whosoever beareth {H5375} ought of the carcase {H5038} of them shall wash {H3526} his clothes {H899}, and be unclean {H2930} until the even {H6153}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and whoever picks up any part of their carcass is to wash his clothes and be unclean until evening:

Berean Standard Bible

and whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening.

American Standard Version

and whosoever beareth aught of the carcass of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 11:25 presents a specific regulation within Israel's ceremonial law concerning contact with the carcass of an animal that has died naturally, whether clean or unclean. This verse stipulates that any individual who handles or carries such a carcass must wash their clothes and will remain ritually unclean until evening. This command profoundly underscored the pervasive nature of defilement associated with death and impurity, emphasizing God's call for His covenant people to maintain a state of ritual purity as a reflection of His own absolute holiness and their distinct separation from the defiling practices of surrounding nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 11 is a pivotal chapter in the Pentateuch, meticulously detailing God's dietary laws and regulations concerning clean and unclean animals. The chapter commences by establishing the fundamental distinction between animals permissible for consumption and those forbidden (verses 1-23). The focus then shifts in verses 24-40 to the defilement caused by contact with the carcasses of these animals, regardless of whether they were clean or unclean in life, if they had died naturally. Leviticus 11:25 specifically addresses the consequence for an individual who "beareth" (carries or handles) such a carcass, prescribing the necessary ritual purification. This verse is integral to a broader section (verses 24-28) that details the defilement caused by touching the carcasses of land animals, followed by similar rules for creeping things (verses 29-38) and animals that die naturally (verses 39-40). The entire chapter culminates in a profound theological statement about God's holiness and Israel's call to be holy, as powerfully articulated in [Leviticus 11:44-45, "Be Holy, For I Am Holy"](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The laws presented in Leviticus were delivered to the Israelites shortly after their miraculous exodus from Egypt, while they were encamped at Mount Sinai. These regulations were paramount for establishing their unique identity as a holy nation, set apart for Yahweh, distinct from the pagan cultures that surrounded them. In the broader ancient Near East, many cultures engaged in practices that involved consuming or interacting with animals that Israel's God deemed unclean. Contact with death, in particular, was almost universally associated with impurity in the ancient world, but the Mosaic Law codified and systematized these distinctions with unparalleled theological depth. The Tabernacle, serving as the very dwelling place of God among His people, was central to Israelite life, making ritual purity essential for approaching God in worship and maintaining the sanctity of the covenant community. These laws, including the one in [Leviticus 11:25 regarding contact with carcasses](/leviticus/11-25 "Leviticus 11:25 - Contact with Carcasses"), served as constant, tangible reminders of God's absolute holiness, the pervasive nature of defilement, and the imperative for meticulous adherence to divine standards to maintain fellowship with Him and within the covenant community. This comprehensive framework of purity and defilement permeated every aspect of Israelite life, from diet to daily interactions, as outlined throughout [the Mosaic Law](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments and Covenant Law").
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 11:25 contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Holiness**. God's repeated command, "You shall be holy, for I am holy" ([Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")), undergirds all the purity laws. Contact with death, the antithesis of life, was inherently defiling and thus incompatible with the presence of the life-giving, holy God. Another crucial theme is **Separation and Distinction**. These laws served to distinguish Israel from the surrounding nations, whose practices were often defiling. By adhering to these regulations, Israel visibly demonstrated their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. The verse also highlights the theme of **Pervasive Nature of Sin/Defilement**. Even unintentional contact with a carcass rendered one unclean, illustrating how defilement could easily permeate daily life and required constant vigilance and prescribed remedies. Finally, the theme of **Divine Provision for Cleansing and Restoration** is evident. The temporary nature of the impurity and the prescribed ritual washing offered a path back to purity, foreshadowing God's ultimate provision for cleansing from sin. These themes are foundational to understanding the covenant relationship between God and Israel, guiding their worship and daily conduct as a consecrated people, as seen throughout [the book of Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **beareth (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From H5375, 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. In this context, it specifically implies an active, intentional engagement with the carcass, such as carrying or handling it. This active participation highlights the direct responsibility for incurring the ritual impurity.
* **carcase (Hebrew, _nᵉbêlâh'_):** From H5038, from נָבֵל; a flabby thing, i.e. a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol; (dead) body, (dead) carcase, dead of itself, which died, (beast) that (which) dieth of itself. This term refers to the dead body of an animal, particularly one that has died naturally rather than being slaughtered. In the Mosaic Law, such a carcass was a primary source of ritual defilement, representing death and decay, which are antithetical to the life and holiness of God.
* **wash (Hebrew, _kâbaç'_):** From H3526, 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). This verb specifically denotes the act of washing clothes, often implying a vigorous or thorough process, perhaps by treading on them. It signifies a prescribed physical act of cleansing that was an essential part of the purification ritual, symbolizing the removal of the defilement incurred.
* **unclean (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** From H2930, a primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremonial or moral sense (contaminated); defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. This adjective describes the state of ritual impurity or defilement. It is crucial to understand that this was a ceremonial state, not necessarily a moral one. Being _ṭâmêʼ_ meant one was temporarily unfit to participate in sacred rituals, enter the Tabernacle, or engage fully in the community's worship life, requiring a prescribed purification process to restore ritual cleanness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And whosoever beareth [ought] of the carcase of them":** This opening clause identifies the specific action and the object that triggers the state of defilement. "Whosoever" underscores the universal applicability of this law to any Israelite. "Beareth" (from _nâsâʼ_) denotes active handling, carrying, or transporting the dead body. "Of the carcase of them" refers to the dead bodies of the animals previously listed in Leviticus 11 as unclean, or even clean animals that had died naturally (cf. [Leviticus 11:24](/leviticus/11-24 "Leviticus 11:24 - Contact with Carcasses") and [Leviticus 11:39](/leviticus/11-39 "Leviticus 11:39 - Carcass of a Clean Animal")). Contact with death, regardless of the animal's clean status in life, was a significant source of ritual impurity.
* **"shall wash his clothes":** This is the immediate and prescribed action for purification. The washing of clothes (from _kâbaç_) was a tangible, ritual act, not merely for physical hygiene. It served as a symbolic representation of the removal of the defilement incurred by contact with the carcass. This act was a necessary step towards regaining ritual purity and was a visible demonstration of adherence to God's commands.
* **"and be unclean until the even":** This final clause specifies the duration of the impurity. Even after washing clothes, the individual remained ritually unclean (from _ṭâmêʼ_) until sunset. This temporary state highlights that defilement was a serious matter requiring a period of separation from the holy community and its sacred activities. However, it was not permanent; the "even" (sunset) marked the end of the ritual day, signifying a return to a state of cleanness and readiness to participate in community and worship once the new day began. This temporal limitation underscored God's gracious provision for restoration.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 11:25 effectively employs **Symbolism** and **Metonymy** to convey its profound theological message. The physical act of "washing his clothes" is deeply **symbolic** of the deeper need for internal and spiritual cleansing. Just as the outward garment is purified, so too is the person's ritual standing before God and the community. This external ritual serves as an object lesson for an internal reality. The "carcass" itself **symbolizes** death, decay, and the antithesis of life and holiness, thus representing anything that defiles or separates from God's holy presence. Furthermore, the phrase "wash his clothes" functions as a **metonymy**, where the clothes stand in for the person themselves. The cleansing of the garment signifies the cleansing of the individual's ritual status, enabling their re-entry into the pure community and sacred space. This highlights that the external, tangible ritual pointed to an internal, spiritual reality of purity and separation for God's people, emphasizing that God's holiness permeated every aspect of their existence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 11:25, like many Old Testament purity laws, profoundly underscores God's absolute holiness and His unwavering demand for a holy people. The meticulous distinctions between clean and unclean, and the stringent requirements for purification, were not arbitrary rules but pedagogical tools designed to teach Israel about the pervasive nature of defilement (which ultimately points to sin) and the necessity of separation from anything that would compromise their consecrated status. These laws served as a constant object lesson, demonstrating that defilement, whether moral or ceremonial, creates a barrier to fellowship with a holy God and participation in His sacred purposes. They highlighted humanity's inherent impurity and the constant need for divine provision for cleansing and restoration, preparing the way for a deeper understanding of spiritual defilement and the ultimate solution found in Christ.

* [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - The Blood of Christ Cleanses")
* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Come Out From Among Them")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy in All Your Conduct")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ceremonial laws of Leviticus 11:25 are not literally binding on New Covenant believers, the profound spiritual principles they embody remain eternally relevant. This verse challenges us to consider what "carcasses" or defiling influences we might be "bearing" in our lives today – whether they be sinful habits, worldly compromises, ungodly attitudes, or associations that hinder our spiritual walk and draw us away from God's holiness. Just as physical contact with a carcass rendered an Israelite ritually unclean and temporarily separated them from the community and worship, so too does sin defile our hearts and minds, creating a barrier in our relationship with a holy God. The requirement to "wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even" teaches us about the gravity of defilement and the necessity of intentional action for purification. For believers today, this points to the ongoing need for repentance, confession, and reliance on the cleansing power of Christ's blood. We are called to live lives of spiritual separation and holiness, actively identifying and removing anything that would compromise our identity as God's set-apart people, always remembering that our ultimate cleansing and restoration come through Christ alone, who enables us to walk in newness of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this ancient law on ritual purity inform our understanding of God's absolute holiness and His desire for His people to be set apart from defilement?**
* **What "carcasses" or defiling influences in our modern world might require us to "wash our clothes" spiritually, and how do we actively pursue such cleansing through Christ?**
* **In what ways does the temporary nature of impurity ("unclean until the even") point to the restorative power of God's grace and the complete, permanent cleansing offered in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Was this law about hygiene or something more?**

Answer: While some hygienic benefits may have been a secondary outcome, the primary purpose of this law, and others like it in Leviticus, was profoundly theological and spiritual. It was fundamentally about ritual purity, serving to teach Israel about God's absolute holiness and their call to be a holy, set-apart people. Contact with death, decay, and certain animals was deemed ritually defiling because it represented the antithesis of life and holiness, which are core attributes of God. These laws served as constant object lessons, reinforcing the need for separation from anything that would compromise their consecrated status before a holy God, as powerfully emphasized in passages like [Leviticus 11:44-45, "Be Holy, For I Am Holy"](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy").

**Do these laws apply to Christians today?**

Answer: No, not in their literal, ceremonial sense. The Old Covenant ceremonial laws, including those concerning clean and unclean animals and ritual defilement, were part of the Mosaic Law given specifically to ancient Israel. The New Testament teaches that these laws were a "shadow" pointing to the ultimate reality found in Jesus Christ, who is the "substance" (cf. [Colossians 2:16-17, "Shadow and Reality in Christ"](/colossians/2-16-17 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality in Christ")). Through His perfect life and sacrificial death, Christ fulfilled these laws, providing a spiritual cleansing that far surpasses any external ritual. While the specific rituals are no longer binding, the underlying spiritual principles of holiness, separation from sin, and the need for cleansing from defilement remain profoundly relevant for believers today, now applied to the heart and conscience.

**What does "unclean until the even" signify?**

Answer: "Unclean until the even" signifies a temporary state of ritual impurity. It means that the individual who had contact with the carcass remained ritually defiled for the remainder of that day, until sunset. At sunset, marking the beginning of a new day in the Israelite calendar, the person would be considered ritually clean again, provided they had completed the prescribed washing of their clothes. This temporary nature highlights that defilement, while serious and requiring a period of separation from the sacred, was not permanent and could be remedied through prescribed actions, allowing for re-entry into community life and sacred worship. It speaks to God's gracious provision for restoration from impurity, a foreshadowing of the complete and lasting restoration offered through Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 11:25, with its emphasis on defilement by death and the imperative need for ritual cleansing, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament laws, including those concerning ritual purity, were shadows pointing to the perfect and permanent cleansing offered by the Lamb of God. No amount of washing clothes or waiting "until the even" could truly purify the conscience or remove the deep defilement of sin. This temporary, external cleansing merely foreshadowed the definitive, internal work of Christ. Jesus, by His perfect life and sacrificial death, became the ultimate sacrifice who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29, "Jesus, the Lamb of God"](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His precious blood cleanses us not just outwardly, but inwardly, purifying our consciences from "dead works" so that we may truly serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14, "Cleansing of Conscience by Christ's Blood"](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing of Conscience by Christ's Blood")). Through faith in Him, we are declared righteous and made truly clean, no longer subject to the condemnation of sin ([Romans 8:1, "No Condemnation in Christ Jesus"](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). The temporary impurity of the Old Covenant gives way to the eternal purity and unhindered access to God granted through Christ, who is our complete and everlasting cleansing, enabling us to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith ([Hebrews 10:22, "Draw Near with a True Heart"](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Draw Near with a True Heart")).

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

Numbers 31:24

And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp.

Leviticus 11:40

And he that eateth of the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 15:5

And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 14:8

And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.

Numbers 19:10

And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever.

Leviticus 16:28

And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.

Leviticus 11:28

And he that beareth the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: they [are] unclean unto you.