Leviticus 11:25

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Leviticus 11:25 is part of God's extensive instructions to the Israelites regarding clean and unclean animals, a crucial aspect of their ceremonial law. This particular verse addresses the consequences of coming into contact with the carcass of an unclean animal, or even a clean animal that has died of itself.

Context

Chapter 11 of Leviticus meticulously details the laws of ritual purity concerning food and animal contact. God established these distinctions not merely for hygiene, but to teach His people Israel about holiness, separation, and their unique identity as a nation set apart for Him. The purpose was to prevent them from adopting the defiling practices of the surrounding pagan nations. Contact with a dead body, especially of an animal deemed unclean, was highly defiling and rendered a person ritually impure, temporarily separating them from the community's sacred activities.

Key Themes

  • Ritual Purity: The verse underscores the pervasive nature of impurity in the presence of death and decay. Even passive contact required immediate and specific action to restore ceremonial cleanness.
  • Separation from Defilement: God commanded His people to be distinct from the defiling aspects of the world. This law served as a constant reminder of the need for separation from anything that could compromise their holy walk with Him.
  • The Need for Cleansing: The requirement to "wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even" highlights that impurity was not permanent but could be remedied through prescribed rituals, signifying a return to a state of cleanness and readiness for fellowship with God and the community.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "unclean" is tameh (טָמ֡א), which denotes a state of ritual impurity or defilement. This was not necessarily a moral failing, but a ceremonial state that prevented participation in sacred functions or approaching God in worship. The phrase "wash his clothes" (from the Hebrew verb kabas - Χ›ΦΌΦΈΧ‘Φ·Χ‘) signifies a thorough cleansing, a physical act symbolizing the removal of the defilement.

Practical Application

While the specific ceremonial laws of Leviticus are not literally binding on believers today, as they were a shadow pointing to Christ (Colossians 2:17), the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant. This verse teaches us:

  • God's Call to Holiness: Just as ancient Israel was called to physical and ritual purity, believers today are called to spiritual holiness (1 Peter 1:16). We are to be separate from the defilement of sin and the world's corrupting influences.
  • The Reality of Spiritual Defilement: Sin, like the carcass, defiles us and separates us from God's perfect presence.
  • The Provision for Cleansing: Unlike the temporary cleansing of washing clothes, our spiritual cleansing comes through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, which "cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Through faith in Him, we are made truly clean and righteous before God.
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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.
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