Leviticus 11:39

KJV

And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if any beast {H929}, of which ye may eat {H402}, die {H4191}; he that toucheth {H5060} the carcase {H5038} thereof shall be unclean {H2930} until the even {H6153}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'If an animal of a kind that you are permitted to eat dies, whoever touches its carcass will be unclean until evening.

Berean Standard Bible

If an animal that you may eat dies, anyone who touches the carcass will be unclean until evening.

American Standard Version

And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcass thereof shall be unclean until the even.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 11:39 details a specific regulation within Israel's elaborate purity laws, stipulating that any individual touching the carcass of a clean animal that has died naturally becomes ritually unclean until evening. This instruction underscores the meticulous nature of God's commands concerning ritual purity and holiness, serving as a constant reminder of the pervasive defilement associated with death and the necessity of maintaining a set-apart life in the presence of a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 11:39 is strategically placed within [Leviticus chapter 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals"), a pivotal section that outlines the comprehensive dietary laws distinguishing between clean and unclean animals permissible or forbidden for consumption. The chapter systematically categorizes animals, beginning with land animals ([Leviticus 11:2-8](/leviticus/11-2-8 "Leviticus 11:2-8 - Clean and Unclean Land Animals")), then aquatic life ([Leviticus 11:9-12](/leviticus/11-9-12 "Leviticus 11:9-12 - Clean and Unclean Sea Creatures")), and finally birds ([Leviticus 11:13-19](/leviticus/11-13-19 "Leviticus 11:13-19 - Unclean Birds")). Following these dietary distinctions, the chapter transitions to an equally crucial aspect of purity: ritual impurity arising from contact with the carcasses of these animals. Verses 24-28 address defilement from unclean animal carcasses, while verses 31-38 focus on the impurity caused by dead creeping things. Leviticus 11:39-40 specifically addresses the unique case of a clean animal that dies naturally, emphasizing that even an otherwise permissible animal can be a source of ritual impurity if its death is not through ritual slaughter. This progression highlights that purity extended beyond diet to encompass all forms of contact, particularly with death, which was fundamentally antithetical to God's life-giving presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of ritual purity was foundational to their covenant relationship with Yahweh, deeply embedded in their daily lives and religious practices. These laws were not primarily for modern hygiene, but rather served to maintain a state of ritual readiness for approaching a holy God and participating in the community's sacred life. Death, in particular, was universally viewed as the ultimate antithesis of life, and thus, a profound source of defilement. This perspective was rooted in the understanding that God is the sole source of all life, and anything associated with death, decay, or the grave was inherently impure in a ritual sense. Touching a dead body, whether human or animal, rendered an individual ritually unclean, temporarily separating them from the community's worship and access to the Tabernacle. This was not a moral failing but a temporary, ritual state requiring specific actions (like washing and waiting "until the even") to regain purity. This meticulous attention to purity served to constantly remind the Israelites of God's absolute holiness and their call to be a "holy nation" set apart for Him, as explicitly stated in [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy").
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 11:39 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing God's absolute separateness and His demand for His people to reflect His character. The distinction between clean and unclean, particularly concerning contact with death, teaches the pervasive nature of defilement and the necessity of ritual separation to maintain fellowship with a holy God. This verse also highlights the theme of **Life and Death**, portraying death as the ultimate defiling agent, standing in stark contrast to God, who is the author and sustainer of all life. The temporary nature of the impurity, resolved "until the even," points to the theme of **Provisional Atonement and Cleansing** within the Old Covenant, where repeated rituals were necessary to manage the constant incursions of impurity. This system served as a pedagogical tool, preparing Israel for a future, more complete and permanent cleansing from sin and its ultimate consequence, death.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Beast (Hebrew, _bᵉhêmâh'_):** From H929, this term refers to a "dumb beast" or any large quadruped or animal, often collectively. In this context, it specifies a clean land animal that is otherwise permissible for consumption (as indicated by "of which ye may eat"). The defilement arises not from the *type* of animal, but from the *manner* of its death—it died naturally, rather than being ritually slaughtered.
* **Die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** From H4191, this primitive root means "to die" (literally or figuratively) or, causatively, "to kill." Here, it specifically refers to an animal that has died of natural causes or an accident, rather than being slaughtered for food. This distinction is crucial, as a ritually slaughtered clean animal was permissible for consumption and did not cause the same level of ritual impurity upon contact. The natural death signifies a loss of life outside the prescribed, controlled means, and thus, a greater association with the defiling power of death itself.
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** From H2930, this primitive root means "to be foul," especially in a ceremonial or moral sense, denoting contamination or defilement. This is a central term in Levitical law, signifying a state of ritual impurity. It is distinct from moral sin, though it can be a consequence or symbol of it. A person or object that is _ṭâmêʼ_ is unfit for sacred duties, for entering the Tabernacle, or for partaking in holy offerings. The state is temporary, requiring specific purification rituals—in this case, washing and waiting "until the even" (sunset)—to restore ritual purity. This concept underscores the meticulous care required to maintain a holy environment suitable for God's dwelling among His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die;":** This clause establishes the specific condition for incurring ritual defilement. The animal in question is identified as a "clean" animal, one that is normally permissible for consumption according to the dietary laws outlined earlier in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals"). The critical factor, however, is that the animal "die" naturally, rather than being ritually slaughtered. This distinction highlights that the source of impurity is not the animal itself, but the state of death and decay, which is inherently antithetical to God's life-giving holiness.
* **"he that toucheth the carcase thereof":** This specifies the action that incurs impurity: direct physical contact with the dead body. The "carcase" (Hebrew, _nᵉbêlâh_) refers specifically to an animal that has died naturally, emphasizing its status as a source of defilement. This contact could be accidental or intentional, but the consequence of ritual uncleanness remained, necessitating a prescribed response.
* **"shall be unclean until the even.":** This final clause defines the duration and nature of the impurity. "Unclean" (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ_) signifies a temporary state of ritual defilement, not a permanent moral stain. The phrase "until the even" means the impurity lasted only until sunset of the same day. This temporary nature implies that the individual would need to wash their clothes and body (as specified in [Leviticus 11:40](/leviticus/11-40 "Leviticus 11:40 - Uncleanness from Carcass")) and then wait for the day to end, after which they would be ritually clean again and able to participate fully in community life and worship.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 11:39 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Legal Language** is paramount, as the verse is structured as a casuistic law ("if...then"), a common feature of ancient Near Eastern legal codes. This precise, conditional phrasing leaves no ambiguity regarding the circumstances and consequences of the action, emphasizing the divine authority behind the command. **Symbolism** is central; death itself is a profound symbol of impurity and separation from God, the ultimate source of life. Even the death of a clean animal, normally associated with life-sustaining food, becomes a source of defilement, underscoring the pervasive nature of death's antithetical relationship with holiness. The "carcass" functions as a **Metonymy** for the state of death and its inherent defiling power, representing the broader concept of decay and separation from life. Finally, the phrase "unclean until the even" serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing** of the temporary and provisional nature of Old Covenant purification, hinting at a future, more complete and permanent cleansing that would transcend the limitations of daily ritual.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 11:39, though a specific ceremonial law, profoundly illustrates core theological principles concerning God's absolute holiness and His demand for a set-apart people. The meticulous nature of these purity laws served as a constant pedagogical tool, teaching Israel the pervasive nature of defilement and the necessity of purification to dwell in the presence of a holy God. Contact with death, even of a clean animal, powerfully symbolized the defiling power of sin, which ultimately leads to spiritual death and separation from God. The temporary nature of this uncleanness ("until the even") and the prescribed rituals of washing pointed to the need for ongoing cleansing and the provisional nature of Old Covenant atonement, which could only cover, not permanently remove, sin. This system meticulously prepared the people for the coming of the ultimate sacrifice, which would provide complete and eternal purification, addressing the root cause of all defilement.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Numbers 19:11-13](/numbers/19-11-13 "Numbers 19:11-13 - Uncleanness from a Dead Body")
* [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ceremonial laws of Leviticus are not directly binding on New Covenant believers, the underlying spiritual principles remain eternally relevant. Leviticus 11:39 serves as a vivid illustration that anything touched by death, even indirectly, is rendered impure in the eyes of a life-giving God. This physical uncleanness powerfully symbolizes the spiritual defilement that sin brings into our lives. Just as touching a dead carcass made an Israelite unfit for sacred duties, so too does sin separate us from God's holy presence and render us spiritually unfit for true worship and communion. The temporary nature of the Old Testament cleansing, "until the even," underscores the ongoing need for purification and points to the ultimate, once-for-all cleansing provided by Jesus Christ. For us, application means recognizing the pervasive nature of sin's defilement in our world and in our hearts, and actively pursuing spiritual holiness. This pursuit is not through external rituals, but through reliance on Christ's atoning work and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. It calls us to be mindful of what we allow to "touch" our lives—influences, thoughts, actions, and relationships—that might defile our spiritual walk and hinder our fellowship with God, striving always for purity of heart and life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "unclean until the even" help us understand the temporary nature of Old Covenant purification and the permanence of Christ's cleansing?**
* **In what ways might we, as New Covenant believers, still encounter "spiritual defilement" in our daily lives, and how are we called to respond in light of Christ's finished work?**
* **How does the meticulous detail of Levitical law, even concerning a dead animal, reflect God's character and His profound desire for His people's holiness and separation from the defilement of a fallen world?**

### FAQ

**Why was touching a dead clean animal defiling if it was permissible to eat?**

Answer: The distinction lies not in the animal's inherent "cleanliness" for consumption, but in the state of death itself. While a clean animal was permissible to eat if it was ritually slaughtered, an animal that "died" naturally (e.g., from disease, accident, or old age) was considered a "carcass" (Hebrew, _nᵉbêlâh_), which was a source of ritual impurity. This is because death is the antithesis of life, and God is the ultimate source of life. Anything associated with death, decay, or the grave was ritually defiling in the Old Covenant system. It was a symbolic representation of the separation from God that sin brings, as sin ultimately leads to death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")). The defilement was not about the animal's dietary status, but about contact with a life that had ceased outside of the divinely prescribed means, thus representing the pervasive nature of defilement in a fallen world.

**What did "unclean until the even" entail for an Israelite?**

Answer: Being "unclean until the even" meant that the individual was in a temporary state of ritual impurity that lasted until sunset of the day they became defiled. During this period, they were restricted from participating in certain sacred activities, such as entering the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) or partaking in holy offerings. To become clean, the individual typically had to wash their clothes and bathe their body in water, as specified in [Leviticus 11:40](/leviticus/11-40 "Leviticus 11:40 - Uncleanness from Carcass"). After completing these actions and waiting for the sun to set, they would be considered ritually pure again and could resume full participation in the community's religious life. This was a ritual state, not a moral judgment, designed to teach the Israelites about the pervasive nature of defilement and the constant need for purification to dwell in God's holy presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 11:39, with its emphasis on the defiling nature of death and the need for temporary purification, finds its profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant system, with its daily washings and sacrifices, constantly highlighted the pervasive defilement of a fallen world and humanity's inability to achieve lasting purity. Death, the ultimate consequence of sin, rendered everything it touched unclean. However, in Christ, this paradigm is radically reversed. Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), did not become defiled by touching death; rather, He conquered it. He willingly became "sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), absorbing the full defilement of humanity's rebellion on the cross. His death, unlike the natural death of an animal, was a redemptive, atoning sacrifice that cleanses rather than defiles. Through His resurrection ([Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - The Power of His Resurrection")), He definitively triumphed over death, rendering its power to defile null and void for those who are in Him. We are no longer made "unclean until the even," but are eternally cleansed and made righteous by His precious blood ([Revelation 1:5](/revelation/1-5 "Revelation 1:5 - Washed by His Blood")), enabling us to stand holy and blameless in the very presence of a perfectly holy God.

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 15:7

And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even.

Numbers 19:16

And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

Numbers 19:11

¶ He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.

Leviticus 15:5

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

Leviticus 11:24

And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even.

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.

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.