Leviticus 15:8

KJV

And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if he that hath the issue {H2100} spit {H7556} upon him that is clean {H2889}; then he shall wash {H3526} his clothes {H899}, and bathe {H7364} himself in water {H4325}, and be unclean {H2930} until the even {H6153}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If the person with the discharge spits on someone who is clean, the latter is to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening.

Berean Standard Bible

If the man with the discharge spits on one who is clean, that person must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

American Standard Version

And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean, then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 15:8 details a specific regulation within the broader Israelite purity laws concerning bodily discharges, stipulating that if an individual with a bodily "issue" (a discharge rendering them ritually unclean) spits upon a clean person, the clean person immediately becomes ritually unclean. This uncleanness necessitates a purification ritual involving the washing of clothes and bathing in water, with the state of impurity lasting until sunset. This verse underscores the pervasive nature of ritual uncleanness and the meticulous requirements for maintaining ceremonial purity within the community, particularly in proximity to the Tabernacle and God's holy presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 15 is dedicated entirely to laws concerning various bodily discharges that rendered individuals ritually unclean. It follows chapters dealing with clean and unclean animals ([Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals")), childbirth ([Leviticus 12](/leviticus/12 "Leviticus 12 - Laws Concerning Childbirth")), and skin diseases like leprosy ([Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws Concerning Cleansing from Skin Diseases")). This chapter specifically addresses abnormal male discharges (vv. 1-15), female menstruation and other discharges (vv. 19-30), and the various ways these impurities could be transmitted through contact with persons, garments, or objects. Verse 8 fits within the section on male discharges (vv. 1-15), highlighting how uncleanness could be transferred even through indirect means like saliva, emphasizing the extreme sensitivity of the purity system. The chapter concludes with a summary statement (vv. 31-33) reiterating the importance of these laws for Israel to avoid defiling the Tabernacle and thus incurring divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of ritual purity was paramount, deeply intertwined with their covenant relationship with Yahweh and their communal life centered around the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple). Unlike modern notions of hygiene, these laws were not primarily about physical health but about maintaining a state of ceremonial fitness to approach a holy God and participate in the sacred life of the community. Uncleanness was not inherently sinful but represented a state incompatible with the divine presence. Bodily emissions, particularly those associated with life forces (blood, semen) or decay, were seen as symbolically defiling. Spitting, a common bodily function, here becomes a vector for impurity, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the purity system. The prescribed purification rites—washing clothes and bathing in water—were standard procedures for temporary uncleanness, signifying a return to a state of ritual cleanliness after the passage of time ("until the even"), allowing the individual to re-engage fully in communal and religious activities. This system served to teach Israel about God's absolute holiness and the need for separation from anything that could defile His sacred space or His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Issue (זָב, _zav_):** This Hebrew term refers to a flow or discharge, specifically an abnormal, chronic bodily fluid emission that rendered a person ritually unclean. Unlike a normal, temporary emission (like semen after intercourse, which also caused uncleanness but was distinct), a _zav_ indicated a persistent, pathological condition. The laws surrounding the _zav_ were particularly stringent, reflecting the perceived gravity of this type of impurity and its potential to defile the community and the Tabernacle.
* **Spit (יָרַק, _yaraq_):** This verb means "to spit" or "to spew." In this context, it highlights a seemingly minor, perhaps even accidental, act that nonetheless carries significant ritual consequences. The fact that saliva from an unclean person could transmit impurity underscores the pervasive and contagious nature of ritual uncleanness in the Israelite purity system, emphasizing that even indirect contact could defile.
* **Unclean until the even (טָמֵא עַד הָעֶרֶב, _tame' ad ha'arev_):** This is a recurring legal formula throughout Leviticus, indicating a temporary state of ritual impurity. It signifies that the uncleanness was not permanent or irreversible but could be remedied through prescribed purification rites (washing and bathing) and the passage of time. The uncleanness would conclude at sunset, allowing the individual to re-enter a state of ritual purity and participate in communal life. This temporal limitation underscores God's provision for restoration and the temporary nature of ceremonial defilement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean;":** This clause establishes the specific scenario: a person who is ritually unclean due to a persistent bodily discharge (the _zav_) transmits that impurity to a person who is ritually clean through the act of spitting. This highlights the contagious nature of ritual uncleanness, even through indirect bodily fluids like saliva, emphasizing the strict boundaries God set for His holy people.
* **"then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even.":** This clause outlines the mandatory purification process and its duration for the person who was defiled. The washing of clothes and bathing in water were standard ritual acts of cleansing, symbolizing the removal of impurity. The phrase "unclean until the even" indicates that the state of impurity was temporary, lasting until sunset, after which the individual would be considered ritually clean again and permitted to re-engage in all communal activities. This demonstrates God's provision for restoration from ritual defilement.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 15:8 employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Legal Formula** is evident in the precise, prescriptive language ("And if he... then he shall..."). This formulaic structure is characteristic of legal texts, ensuring clarity and unambiguous instruction. The repeated phrase "unclean until the even" functions as a **Refrain** or **Stipulation Formula**, reinforcing the temporary nature of ceremonial uncleanness and the consistent method of its resolution across various purity laws in Leviticus. There is also an implicit **Contrast** between the "clean" and "unclean" states, highlighting the sharp distinction God drew between these conditions and the meticulous measures required to maintain purity. Finally, the act of spitting, seemingly minor, serves as a **Symbol** of the pervasive and easily transmissible nature of ritual impurity, underscoring the extreme care required to avoid defilement in a community dwelling in the presence of a holy God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, situated within the broader Levitical purity code, profoundly illustrates God's absolute holiness and His demand for a separated, consecrated people. The meticulous rules regarding defilement from bodily issues, even through a seemingly minor act like spitting, underscore the pervasive nature of impurity and its incompatibility with the divine presence. The theological message is clear: God is utterly pure, and His people must reflect that purity, especially when approaching Him or dwelling in His presence. The temporary nature of the uncleanness, remedied by washing and the passage of time, also points to God's gracious provision for restoration and reconciliation, even when defilement occurs. This system served as a constant object lesson, preparing Israel for a deeper understanding of spiritual defilement and the ultimate need for a perfect cleanser.

* [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinguishing Between Holy and Common")
* [Numbers 19:11-13](/numbers/19-11 "Numbers 19:11-13 - Laws Concerning Defilement by a Corpse")
* [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - The Superiority of Christ's Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 15:8, despite its ancient context, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our God is utterly holy and that impurity, whether ceremonial or spiritual, creates a barrier to intimacy with Him. While the specific rituals of the Old Covenant are no longer binding for New Covenant believers, the underlying principle of God's holiness and the pervasive nature of sin remains eternally true. Just as a physical "issue" could spread defilement through seemingly minor contact, so too can sin—our words, attitudes, and actions—contaminate our own spiritual lives and impact those around us. This verse calls us to a deep awareness of our spiritual condition and the need for constant cleansing. It challenges us to consider how even subtle forms of sin or unholiness might affect our walk with God and our witness to others, prompting us to diligently seek purity in thought, word, and deed, relying on the ultimate cleansing provided in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of these Old Testament purity laws deepen your understanding of God's absolute holiness?**
* **In what ways might spiritual "uncleanness" (sin, unconfessed wrongdoings) subtly spread its influence in your life or relationships, similar to how physical impurity could spread in ancient Israel?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more consistently pursue spiritual purity and holiness in your daily life, recognizing that our cleansing comes through Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why was spitting considered a means of transmitting impurity?**

Answer: In ancient Israelite purity laws, bodily fluids were often associated with life or decay, and thus could be sources of ritual impurity. Spitting, as a direct transfer of bodily fluid from an unclean person, was seen as a potent vector for transmitting that impurity. This underscores the pervasive and contagious nature of ritual uncleanness, emphasizing that even seemingly minor or accidental contact could defile. The concern was not with physical hygiene in the modern sense, but with maintaining a symbolic separation from anything that was deemed incompatible with the presence of a holy God and the sacred space of the Tabernacle.

**Are the laws in Leviticus 15, including verse 8, still binding on Christians today?**

Answer: No, the specific ritual laws found in Leviticus 15 are not binding on Christians today. The New Testament clarifies that the ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant, including dietary restrictions and purity codes, were shadows pointing to the reality found in Jesus Christ. [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of Unclean Animals") and [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Freedom from Legalism") indicate that these distinctions have been fulfilled and abolished in Christ. While the specific rituals are no longer practiced, the underlying theological principles—God's holiness, the pervasive nature of sin, and the need for cleansing—remain eternally relevant and are fulfilled in a spiritual sense through Christ.

**What was the significance of being "unclean until the even"?**

Answer: The phrase "unclean until the even" (or "until the evening") signifies that the state of ritual impurity was temporary and not permanent. It meant that after the prescribed purification rites (like washing clothes and bathing in water) were performed, the individual would remain ritually unclean only until the sun set. At the onset of evening, they would be considered clean again and could resume full participation in communal and religious life, including approaching the Tabernacle or Temple. This temporal limitation demonstrates God's gracious provision for restoration from ceremonial defilement, allowing for a return to purity after a period of separation and cleansing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 15:8, with its meticulous regulations concerning the transmission of ritual impurity, finds its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual transformation in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant purity laws, including those regarding bodily discharges and their defiling effects, served as a tangible object lesson, constantly reminding Israel of the pervasive nature of sin and the absolute holiness of God. They highlighted humanity's inherent inability to achieve true purity through self-effort or external rituals. Jesus, however, radically redefines purity. He is the one who does not become defiled by contact with impurity; rather, His touch brings cleansing and wholeness. Unlike the _zav_ whose spit defiled, Jesus' touch healed the leper ([Matthew 8:2-3](/matthew/8-2 "Matthew 8:2-3 - Jesus Heals a Leper")) and the woman with a chronic issue of blood ([Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25 "Mark 5:25-34 - Jesus Heals a Woman with a Hemorrhage")), demonstrating that He is the source of true purity and life. His sacrifice on the cross, as the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), provides the perfect and eternal cleansing that no amount of washing or waiting until "the even" could achieve. Through His shed blood, believers are purified from all sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")) and made spiritually clean, enabling them to draw near to a holy God with confidence, not through ritualistic adherence but through faith in the One who fulfilled all righteousness and bore our impurities.

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.