Leviticus 15:33

And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.

And of her that is sick {H1739} of her flowers {H5079}, and of him that hath {H2100} an issue {H2101}, of the man {H2145}, and of the woman {H5347}, and of him {H376} that lieth {H7901} with her that is unclean {H2931}.

for the woman in niddah during her menstrual period; for the person, man or woman, with a discharge; and for the man who has sexual relations with a woman who is unclean.

of a woman in her menstrual period, of any male or female who has a discharge, and of a man who lies with an unclean woman.’”

and of her that is sick with her impurity, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.

Commentary

Context

Leviticus 15:33 serves as a concluding summary for the entire fifteenth chapter of Leviticus. This chapter meticulously details various forms of bodily discharges that rendered an individual ritually unclean under the Old Covenant law. Specifically, it addresses uncleanness from a man's genital discharge (Leviticus 15:1-15), seminal emission (Leviticus 15:16-18), a woman's menstruation (Leviticus 15:19-24), and abnormal or prolonged discharges in both men and women (Leviticus 15:25-30). This summary verse, therefore, consolidates the regulations concerning a menstruating woman ("her that is sick of her flowers"), a man with a discharge ("him that hath an issue"), and the transmission of uncleanness through sexual contact with an unclean woman ("him that lieth with her that is unclean"). The overarching purpose of these laws, as seen throughout the book of Leviticus, was to maintain the purity of the Israelite camp, especially around the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place, ensuring that His holy presence was not defiled by human impurity. For a full understanding of these regulations, it's beneficial to review the preceding verses, starting from Leviticus 15:1.

Key Themes

  • Ritual Purity and Uncleanness: The central theme is the strict distinction between clean and unclean states. These bodily conditions, though natural, rendered an individual ceremonially impure, preventing them from participating in worship or approaching the Tabernacle. This was not a judgment on sinfulness but a designation of ritual separation.
  • Holiness of God's Presence: The laws underscore the absolute holiness of God and the necessity for His people to maintain a state of ritual purity to dwell in His presence. Uncleanness defiled the sanctuary, necessitating specific purification rites.
  • Distinction and Separation: These purity laws helped distinguish Israel from surrounding pagan nations, whose religious practices often did not emphasize such ceremonial cleanness. They served as a constant reminder of Israel's unique covenant relationship with God.
  • Consequences of Impurity: The verse highlights that failure to observe these laws meant exclusion from the community's worship and potential defilement of the holy things, emphasizing the serious nature of ritual impurity.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "her that is sick of her flowers" is an older idiom for a woman experiencing menstruation. "Flowers" refers to the periodic nature of the menstrual cycle. "Him that hath an issue" refers to a man with an abnormal bodily discharge, as detailed earlier in the chapter. These terms simply and directly describe the physical conditions that led to ritual uncleanness under the Old Testament law.

Practical Application

While the specific ritual purity laws of Leviticus 15 are no longer binding on believers today under the New Covenant, they offer profound spiritual lessons:

  • Shift from Outward to Inward Purity: In Christ, the focus has shifted from ceremonial cleanness based on physical conditions to spiritual purity of the heart and life. Jesus taught that defilement comes from within (Matthew 15:18-20).
  • Christ's Fulfillment of the Law: The elaborate Old Testament purity laws, including those in Leviticus, were "a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ" (Colossians 2:17). Through His sacrifice, Jesus purifies us from all sin and uncleanness, making us fit to enter God's presence by faith.
  • Reverence for God's Holiness: These laws continue to teach us about God's absolute holiness and our need for holiness to approach Him. We are called to pursue holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
  • Respect for the Body: While not about ritual uncleanness, these laws subtly remind us of the sanctity of the human body, created by God. As believers, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, to be honored and kept pure in a spiritual sense.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 15:19

    ¶ 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 20:18

    And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.

  • 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.

  • 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.
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