Leviticus 17:15
And every soul that eateth that which died [of itself], or that which was torn [with beasts, whether it be] one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.
And every soul {H5315} that eateth {H398} that which died {H5038} of itself, or that which was torn {H2966} with beasts, whether it be one of your own country {H249}, or a stranger {H1616}, he shall both wash {H3526} his clothes {H899}, and bathe {H7364} himself in water {H4325}, and be unclean {H2930} until the even {H6153}: then shall he be clean {H2891}.
"Anyone eating an animal that dies naturally or is torn to death by wild animals, whether he is a citizen or a foreigner, is to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening; then he will be clean.
And any person, whether native or foreigner, who eats anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening; then he will be clean.
And every soul that eateth that which dieth of itself, or that which is torn of beasts, whether he be home-born or a sojourner, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.
Cross-References
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Exodus 22:31
And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat [any] flesh [that is] torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs. -
Leviticus 22:8
That which dieth of itself, or is torn [with beasts], he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I [am] the LORD. -
Deuteronomy 14:21
Ye shall not eat [of] any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that [is] in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk. -
Leviticus 11:25
And whosoever beareth [ought] of the carcase of them 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. -
Ezekiel 44:31
The priests shall not eat of any thing that is dead of itself, or torn, whether it be fowl or beast. -
Ezekiel 4:14
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.
Commentary
Commentary on Leviticus 17:15 KJV
Leviticus 17:15 addresses specific regulations concerning ritual purity within ancient Israel, particularly regarding the consumption of meat. This verse is part of a broader section in Leviticus that outlines laws for the Israelites, ensuring their holiness and distinctness as God's chosen people.
Context of Leviticus 17:15
Chapter 17 of Leviticus focuses heavily on the sanctity of blood and the proper procedures for offering sacrifices and handling meat. The preceding verses emphasize that the life (soul) of the flesh is in the blood, and therefore, blood was reserved for atonement on the altar. Eating blood was strictly forbidden (Leviticus 17:10-14). Verse 15 extends these principles by prohibiting the consumption of animals that died naturally or were torn by wild beasts, as their blood would not have been properly drained, and their death was not according to the prescribed sacrificial or dietary methods. This law applied universally to both native-born Israelites and foreigners living among them, underscoring the importance of communal adherence to God's standards.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "died of itself" translates the Hebrew word nevelah (ื ึฐืึตืึธื), referring to a carcass or an animal that died naturally without being slaughtered. "Torn with beasts" comes from the Hebrew terephah (ืึฐืจึตืคึธื), signifying an animal mangled or killed by predators. Both terms denote meat that was not prepared according to the specific ritual slaughter (shechita in later Jewish tradition) necessary to drain the blood and render it ritually clean for consumption. The phrase "unclean until the even" (ืขื ืืขืจื - 'ad ha'erev) is a common stipulation in the Mosaic Law, indicating a temporary state of ritual impurity that would end at sunset after the prescribed purification rites (washing clothes and bathing) were performed.
Practical Application and Reflection
While the specific dietary laws of Leviticus are part of the Old Covenant and are not strictly binding on New Testament believers (as clarified in passages like Mark 7:19 and Acts 10:15), the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant. The emphasis on purity and distinctness from the world's defiling practices is a timeless call for God's people. Just as the Israelites were to be mindful of what they consumed physically, Christians are called to be vigilant about what we allow into our lives spiritually and morally (1 Peter 1:16). The need for cleansing from defilement, though now spiritual rather than purely ceremonial, points to the ultimate purification offered through the blood of Jesus Christ. This verse reminds us that holiness is not merely an internal state but often requires outward actions and a commitment to God's standards for our lives.
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