Leviticus 17:16

KJV

But if he wash [them] not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.

KJV (with Strong's)

But if he wash {H3526} them not, nor bathe {H7364} his flesh {H1320}; then he shall bear {H5375} his iniquity {H5771}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if he doesn't wash them or bathe his body, he will bear the consequences of his wrongdoing."

Berean Standard Bible

But if he does not wash his clothes and bathe himself, then he shall bear his iniquity.”

American Standard Version

But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 17:16 concludes a specific regulation concerning the consumption of meat from animals that died naturally or were torn, stipulating the severe consequence for an Israelite who fails to undergo the prescribed ritual purification. The verse underscores the critical importance of ceremonial purity within the Old Covenant, where neglecting the mandated washing and bathing resulted in the individual bearing their own iniquity, signifying ongoing defilement and spiritual accountability before God and the community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 17:16 serves as the climactic concluding statement for the regulation introduced in [Leviticus 17:15](/leviticus/17-15 "Leviticus 17:15 - Eating Unclean Meat"). The preceding verse explicitly states that if any person, whether native-born or a sojourner, eats an animal that died naturally or was torn, they must wash their clothes and bathe their flesh, remaining unclean until evening. Our verse, [Leviticus 17:16](/leviticus/17-16 "Leviticus 17:16 - Consequence of Neglecting Purification"), then outlines the dire penalty for neglecting this purification. The entire chapter, [Leviticus 17](/leviticus/17 "Leviticus 17 - The Sanctity of Blood and Life"), is foundational to understanding the sanctity of life and blood, particularly as it relates to the sacrificial system and atonement. [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood") famously declares that "the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls." This overarching principle informs the strictness of the laws concerning blood and, by extension, the consumption of meat that has not been properly drained of its blood, or meat from animals that died in a manner that would preclude proper blood drainage, thereby rendering them unclean. The failure to purify oneself after such contact was a direct affront to the holiness of God and the sanctity of life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, ritual purity was not merely a hygienic practice but a profound theological concept deeply intertwined with the covenant relationship between God and His people. The tabernacle (and later the temple) was the dwelling place of a holy God, and His people were required to maintain a state of ceremonial purity to approach Him and participate fully in community life. Contact with death, certain bodily discharges, or specific animal products (like the meat mentioned in [Leviticus 17:15](/leviticus/17-15 "Leviticus 17:15 - Regulations for Eating Unclean Animals")) rendered an individual ritually unclean. This uncleanness was not necessarily "sinful" in a moral sense but created a barrier to sacred space and communal worship. The prescribed purification rituals, such as washing clothes and bathing the flesh, were essential for restoring one's clean status. Neglecting these rituals, as highlighted in [Leviticus 17:16](/leviticus/17-16 "Leviticus 17:16 - Bearing Iniquity for Negligence"), meant remaining in a state of impurity, which could lead to exclusion from the camp or sacred rites, a severe social and spiritual penalty that signified a breach in one's covenant relationship with God. This system instilled a constant awareness of God's holiness and the meticulous care required to live in His presence.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 17:16 contributes significantly to several key themes pervasive throughout the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Holiness and Purity**. God's absolute holiness demands that His people maintain a state of ritual and moral purity to dwell in His presence and participate in His worship. The laws concerning clean and unclean animals, and the subsequent purification rites, constantly reinforced this distinction ([Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals")). Another vital theme is **Accountability and Consequence**. The phrase "bear his iniquity" underscores that actions, even those of ritual neglect, have serious repercussions before God. This theme is echoed throughout the Law, emphasizing individual responsibility for adherence to divine commands ([Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30-31 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Presumptuous Sin")). Finally, the verse implicitly points to the theme of **Atonement and Cleansing**. While it describes the consequence of *neglecting* purification, the very existence of such a law highlights the pervasive nature of defilement and the constant need for a divinely appointed means of cleansing and restoration, a need that the sacrificial system and ritual washings sought to address in the Old Covenant ([Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **kâbaç (Hebrew, _kâbaç'_):** From H3526, meaning "to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative." In this context, it refers to the ritual washing of clothes, a common practice for removing ceremonial defilement. The neglect of this physical act symbolized a refusal to shed the impurity contracted.
* **râchats (Hebrew, _râchats'_):** From H7364, meaning "to lave (the whole or a part of a thing); bathe (self), wash (self)." This word specifically refers to the bathing of the body, signifying a personal cleansing from ceremonial defilement. The combination of washing clothes and bathing the body indicates a comprehensive purification required to restore one's clean status.
* **nâsâʼ (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From H5375, meaning "to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up)..." In the phrase "bear his iniquity," _nâsâʼ_ carries the sense of carrying a burden, responsibility, or the consequences of an action. It implies enduring the weight of guilt or punishment.
* **ʻâvôn (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** From H5771, meaning "perversity, i.e. (moral) evil; fault, iniquity, mischief, punishment (of iniquity), sin." This noun refers to the moral or ritual transgression itself, or the guilt and punishment associated with it. When combined with _nâsâʼ_, "bear his iniquity" signifies that the individual remains responsible for their defiled state and must face its consequences, rather than having the impurity removed or atoned for.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if he wash [them] not":** This clause refers to the failure to wash the clothes, as specified in the preceding [Leviticus 17:15](/leviticus/17-15 "Leviticus 17:15 - The Requirement to Wash Clothes"). The washing of clothes was a tangible act of purification, symbolizing the removal of the defilement that had come into contact with the individual's garments. Neglecting this step meant that the impurity remained attached to their everyday wear, making it impossible to fully shed the unclean status and indicating a disregard for the prescribed protocol.
* **"nor bathe his flesh":** This refers to the failure to immerse the body in water, also prescribed in [Leviticus 17:15](/leviticus/17-15 "Leviticus 17:15 - The Requirement to Bathe"). Bathing the flesh was the primary means of personal ceremonial cleansing. It was a ritual act signifying the removal of the impurity from the person themselves. The double negative ("wash not, nor bathe") emphasizes the complete and deliberate neglect of the required purification process, indicating a conscious or careless disregard for God's clear command and the sanctity of purity.
* **"then he shall bear his iniquity":** This is the direct and severe consequence of the neglect. As detailed in the Key Word Analysis, "bearing his iniquity" means the individual remains under the burden of their defilement and its associated guilt and punishment. This was not necessarily a death penalty but a state of spiritual and social alienation. They would remain unclean, unable to participate in the sacred life of the community, and accountable for their unpurified state before God. It signifies a failure to take responsibility for one's ritual status and the profound implications for one's relationship with a holy God, potentially leading to exclusion from the camp and divine presence.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 17:16 employs several literary devices to convey its message with clarity and authority. The most prominent is **Legal Language**, characteristic of the book of Leviticus, which functions as a divine legal code. The verse presents a clear conditional statement ("But if... then..."), outlining a specific action (neglecting purification) and its direct, unavoidable consequence ("he shall bear his iniquity"). This precise, unambiguous phrasing leaves no room for misinterpretation regarding the expected conduct and the repercussions of disobedience, reinforcing the absolute nature of God's commands. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Contrast** at play: the stark contrast between the prescribed path to purity (washing and bathing) and the state of continued defilement and accountability ("bear his iniquity") if those steps are neglected. This highlights the clear delineation between clean and unclean, acceptable and unacceptable states before God. Finally, the physical acts of washing and bathing carry profound **Symbolism**. Water here symbolizes purification and the removal of defilement, pointing to a deeper spiritual reality of cleansing and restoration. The failure to engage in these symbolic acts signifies a refusal to embrace the path to purity, thus remaining in a state of spiritual burden and separation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 17:16, while dealing with specific ceremonial laws, speaks to enduring theological truths about God's holiness, humanity's pervasive need for purification, and the immutable principle of accountability. God, being utterly pure, demands purity from His people, not just in moral conduct but also in their ritual and communal life, as a reflection of His character and a prerequisite for dwelling in His presence. The concept of "bearing one's iniquity" underscores the seriousness of even ritual defilement, demonstrating that all breaches of God's commands—whether moral or ceremonial—have consequences and require a means of atonement or removal. These laws served as a constant reminder to Israel of their distinctness as God's covenant people and the meticulous care required to maintain fellowship with a holy God. They highlighted the pervasive nature of impurity and the constant need for divine provision for cleansing, foreshadowing a more complete and ultimate purification that could truly address the root of human defilement.

* [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Numbers 19:11-13](/numbers/19-11-13 "Numbers 19:11-13 - Uncleanness from a Corpse")
* [Isaiah 53:11](/isaiah/53-11 "Isaiah 53:11 - The Suffering Servant Bearing Iniquity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ceremonial laws of Leviticus are not directly binding on New Covenant believers, the underlying principles of accountability, the pervasive nature of sin and impurity, and the necessity of divine cleansing remain profoundly relevant. Leviticus 17:16 reminds us that God is holy and desires His people to pursue holiness in all aspects of life. Our spiritual state matters deeply to God, and neglecting to address sin or spiritual defilement can lead to a sense of separation from God's full blessing and the joy of His presence. This verse encourages a careful consideration of our spiritual walk, prompting us to actively confess sin, seek repentance, and embrace the spiritual cleansing freely offered through Christ. Just as the Israelite was responsible for their ritual purity, we are responsible for our spiritual purity, not by ritual washings, but by drawing near to God through Christ and allowing His Spirit to sanctify us. This requires an ongoing, intentional commitment to spiritual disciplines and a humble reliance on God's grace for transformation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be neglecting "spiritual washing" or "bathing" in my life today, leading me to "bear my iniquity" in terms of unresolved sin, unconfessed guilt, or spiritual stagnation?**
* **How does the seriousness with which God viewed ritual impurity in the Old Testament inform my understanding of the seriousness of sin and spiritual defilement in the New Testament, even if the means of cleansing have changed?**
* **What practical steps can I take to more consistently seek spiritual cleansing and maintain a state of purity before God through Christ, recognizing that true purity comes from within through the Holy Spirit?**

### FAQ

**What does "bear his iniquity" mean in practical terms for an Israelite in the Old Testament?**

Answer: In practical terms, for an Israelite, "to bear his iniquity" (as in [Leviticus 17:16](/leviticus/17-16 "Leviticus 17:16 - Consequence of Neglecting Purification")) meant remaining in a state of ritual impurity. This had significant social and spiritual consequences. An unclean person was typically restricted from entering the tabernacle (and later the temple) or participating in communal worship and sacrifices. They might also be temporarily excluded from certain social interactions within the camp, as their impurity could potentially defile others or sacred space. This state of uncleanness was not merely a physical condition but carried profound spiritual weight, signifying a breach in their covenant relationship with God. It meant they were accountable for their unpurified state and its consequences, unable to access the full blessings of the covenant until they underwent the prescribed purification, thereby emphasizing the importance of adherence to God's commands.

**Are these specific Levitical laws still relevant for Christians today?**

Answer: While the specific ceremonial laws of Leviticus, such as the washing rituals described in [Leviticus 17:15-16](/leviticus/17-15-16 "Leviticus 17:15-16 - Purity Laws and Consequences"), are not directly binding on New Covenant believers, their underlying principles remain profoundly relevant. These laws served to teach Israel about God's absolute holiness, the pervasive nature of sin and impurity, and humanity's constant need for divine cleansing and atonement. For Christians, these laws point to the ultimate and perfect cleansing provided by Jesus Christ. We are no longer purified by ritual washings or animal sacrifices, but by the shed blood of Christ, which cleanses us from all sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by the Blood of Jesus")). The relevance lies in understanding the depth of God's holiness, the seriousness of our sin, and the complete sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice to make us truly clean and holy before God. We are called to spiritual holiness, not merely ritual purity, as exemplified in passages like [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy in All Your Conduct"), reflecting an internal transformation rather than external rites.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 17:16, with its stark declaration that one "shall bear his iniquity" for neglecting purification, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate solution to humanity's far deeper problem of spiritual impurity and sin. The ceremonial washings of the Old Covenant, while necessary for ritual purity and a temporary covering, could never truly cleanse the conscience or remove the moral stain of sin. They were but a shadow, pointing forward to the perfect and final cleansing that God would provide. Jesus Christ is the one who truly bore our iniquity, not just ritual defilement, but the full weight of humanity's moral and spiritual sin and its eternal consequences. As the Suffering Servant prophesied in [Isaiah 53:11](/isaiah/53-11 "Isaiah 53:11 - The Suffering Servant Bearing Iniquity"), He "shall bear their iniquities." The New Testament affirms this profound truth, declaring that Christ "himself bore our sins in his body on the tree" ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")), thereby providing a complete and permanent atonement. His sacrifice on the cross superseded all ceremonial washings and animal sacrifices, offering a once-for-all purification that truly cleanses us from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by the Blood of Jesus")). Through faith in Him, we are not merely ritually clean until evening, but eternally justified and sanctified, made holy by the offering of His body ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctification Through Christ's Offering")), enabling us to draw near to a holy God with a clean conscience and full assurance ([Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Drawing Near with a True Heart")).

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 5:1

¶ And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and [is] a witness, whether he hath seen or known [of it]; if he do not utter [it], then he shall bear his iniquity.

Numbers 19:19

And the clean [person] shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even.

Numbers 19:20

But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he [is] unclean.

Leviticus 20:19

And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.

Leviticus 20:20

And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Isaiah 53:11

He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.