Leviticus 15:25

And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she [shall be] unclean.

And if a woman {H802} have {H2100} an issue {H2101} of her blood {H1818} many {H7227} days {H3117} out {H3808} of the time {H6256} of her separation {H5079}, or if it run {H2100} beyond the time {H5921} of her separation {H5079}; all the days {H3117} of the issue {H2101} of her uncleanness {H2932} shall be as the days {H3117} of her separation {H5079}: she shall be unclean {H2931}.

"'If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days not during her period, or if her discharge lasts beyond the normal end of her period, then throughout the time she is having an unclean discharge she will be as when she is in niddah -she is unclean.

When a woman has a discharge of her blood for many days at a time other than her menstrual period, or if it continues beyond her period, she will be unclean all the days of her unclean discharge, just as she is during the days of her menstruation.

And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days not in the time of her impurity, or if she have an issue beyond the time of her impurity; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness she shall be as in the days of her impurity: she is unclean.

Commentary

Leviticus 15:25 addresses a specific aspect of ritual purity laws concerning women in ancient Israel. This verse extends the regulations for normal menstrual cycles to cases of abnormal or prolonged bleeding, often referred to as an "issue of blood." It states that if a woman experiences bleeding for many days outside of or beyond her regular menstrual period, she remains in a state of ritual uncleanness for the entire duration of that discharge, just as she would during her normal separation.

Context of Leviticus 15:25

This verse is part of a larger section in Leviticus chapter 15, which details various bodily discharges that render an individual ritually unclean. These laws were crucial for maintaining the holiness of the Israelite camp and ensuring that people were ceremonially prepared to interact with the sacred space of the Tabernacle and its holy objects. The distinction between clean and unclean was not about sin or moral failing, but about ritual fitness for communal worship and proximity to God's presence. The normal period of "separation" (menstruation) is described in Leviticus 15:19-24, and verse 25 addresses deviations from this norm.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Holiness and Purity: A central theme throughout Leviticus, emphasizing God's demand for a set-apart people. These laws established clear boundaries for Israel's conduct and interaction with the divine.
  • Distinction between Clean and Unclean: This passage highlights the pervasive nature of ritual impurity stemming from bodily functions. It underscored the need for purification before engaging in sacred activities or entering holy spaces.
  • Divine Order and Attention to Detail: The meticulous nature of these laws demonstrates God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, including the physical body and its functions. It showed that even seemingly mundane aspects of human existence were subject to divine regulation for the purpose of holiness.
  • Temporary Nature of Uncleanness: The uncleanness described here was temporary and ceremonial, requiring specific rituals (like washing) to restore purity, rather than indicating a permanent state of defilement.

Linguistic Insights

The term "separation" in this context comes from the Hebrew word niddah (Χ Φ΄Χ“ΦΌΦΈΧ”), which refers to the state of ritual impurity associated with menstruation. It implies being "set apart" or "excluded" from certain activities or contact due to this state. The word "unclean" is from the Hebrew tameh (טָמ֡א), signifying a state of ritual impurity that makes one unfit for sacred purposes or contact with holy things, but not necessarily morally defiled.

Practical Application and Significance

While the specific ceremonial laws of Leviticus are no longer binding for believers under the New Covenant, having been fulfilled in Christ, who is the substance to which they pointed, the underlying principles remain relevant:

  • God's Holiness: These laws remind us of God's absolute holiness and our need for spiritual purity to draw near to Him.
  • Spiritual Purity: The New Testament shifts the focus from external, ritual purity to an inner, spiritual purity that stems from the heart (Mark 7:20-23).
  • Compassion and Grace: This verse provides a crucial backdrop for understanding the significance of Jesus' interaction with the woman with the issue of blood in the Gospels (Mark 5:25-34). For twelve years, she was ritually unclean, ostracized from society and unable to participate fully in religious life. Jesus' touch and healing of her not only restored her health but also her ritual purity and dignity, demonstrating His authority over the Law and His boundless compassion.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 9:20

    And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind [him], and touched the hem of his garment:

  • Luke 8:43

    And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

  • Mark 5:25

    And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

  • Leviticus 15:19

    ΒΆ And if a woman have an issue, [and] her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.

  • Leviticus 15:24

    And if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean.

  • Mark 7:20

    And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

  • Mark 7:23

    All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
← Back