Leviticus 18:19

KJV

¶ Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Also thou shalt not approach {H7126} unto a woman {H802} to uncover {H1540} her nakedness {H6172}, as long as she is put apart {H5079} for her uncleanness {H2932}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are not to approach a woman in order to have sexual relations with her when she is unclean from her time of niddah.

Berean Standard Bible

You must not approach a woman to have sexual relations with her during her menstrual period.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 18:19 prohibits sexual intercourse with a woman during her menstrual period, a time designated as ritual "uncleanness" within the Levitical purity laws. This command is part of a broader chapter detailing forbidden sexual relationships, underscoring God's demand for holiness and purity among His covenant people. By establishing such boundaries, the law distinguished Israel from the morally corrupt practices of surrounding nations, highlighting the sacredness of human sexuality and the importance of respecting God-ordained limits for physical intimacy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 18:19 is situated within the "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26), a section of the Torah dedicated to outlining the ethical and ritual requirements for Israel to live as a holy nation set apart for Yahweh. Specifically, chapter 18 functions as a comprehensive list of prohibited sexual relationships and practices, immediately following regulations concerning the proper place for sacrifices and the consumption of blood. This chapter serves as a moral foundation, establishing boundaries for sexual conduct that distinguish Israel from the surrounding pagan cultures, whose practices often involved incest, bestiality, and cultic prostitution, all explicitly condemned here. The verse's prohibition against approaching a menstruating woman is one specific instance within this broader framework of sexual purity and moral distinction, reinforcing the overarching theme of God's demand for holiness in all aspects of life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, various cultures held beliefs about menstruation, often associating it with impurity or supernatural power. However, Israel's laws, as found in the Pentateuch, uniquely integrated these concepts into a comprehensive system of ritual purity and moral holiness directly tied to their covenant with Yahweh. Surrounding nations, particularly the Canaanites, engaged in a wide array of sexual perversions, including those that blurred familial lines and involved cultic rites, which were anathema to Israel's monotheistic faith and ethical standards. The command in Leviticus 18:19, along with other purity laws concerning bodily discharges (e.g., [Leviticus 15](/leviticus/15 "Leviticus 15 - Laws of Purity and Bodily Discharges")), served not only to maintain ritual order and hygiene but also to underscore Israel's distinct identity as a people called to reflect God's own holiness in every aspect of their lives, including their most intimate relationships. These regulations were not about shaming or demeaning women but about establishing a sacred rhythm and respect for the natural cycles of life within the covenant community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Approach (Hebrew, _qarab'_):** This verb literally means "to come near" or "to draw close." In the context of Leviticus 18, it consistently functions as a euphemism for engaging in sexual intercourse. Its use here emphasizes the act of initiating sexual contact, specifically forbidden during the woman's state of ritual impurity.
* **Uncover her nakedness (Hebrew, _galah `ervah'_):** This phrase is a common biblical idiom for sexual intercourse, particularly in the context of illicit or forbidden sexual acts (e.g., [Leviticus 18:6](/leviticus/18-6 "Leviticus 18:6 - Prohibition of Incest")). It highlights the intimate and vulnerable nature of the act, underscoring the severity of the prohibition when performed under the specified conditions.
* **Uncleanness (Hebrew, _niddah'_):** This term specifically refers to menstrual impurity. It denotes a state of ritual separation, not moral sin. A woman in _niddah_ was considered ritually unclean, requiring temporary separation from certain activities, including sexual relations and participation in sacred rites, until a period of purification was completed. This concept was deeply embedded in Israelite purity laws, signifying a temporary state of ritual defilement that required ritual cleansing for restoration to full communal and cultic participation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman":** This opening clause establishes a direct and unequivocal prohibition, using a command form ("thou shalt not") that leaves no room for ambiguity. The verb "approach" (as discussed above) serves as a euphemism for initiating sexual intimacy, setting the boundary for physical contact.
* **"to uncover her nakedness":** This phrase clarifies the specific act being forbidden—sexual intercourse. As a common biblical idiom for sexual relations, it emphasizes the profound intimacy and vulnerability involved, underscoring the sacredness of the marital bed and the seriousness of violating its boundaries.
* **"as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness":** This crucial qualifying clause defines the specific condition under which the prohibition applies. The phrase "put apart" (from the root נדד, _nadad_, "to separate") directly relates to the state of _niddah_, or menstrual impurity. It signifies a temporary, ritual separation, during which sexual relations were forbidden. This was not a judgment on the woman's moral character but a designation within the purity laws designed to maintain ritual order and reverence for life within the covenant community.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 18:19 employs several literary devices to convey its prohibition. The most prominent is **Euphemism**, particularly in the phrase "to uncover her nakedness," which serves as a polite or indirect expression for sexual intercourse. This usage is common throughout biblical legal texts concerning sexual matters, maintaining a certain decorum while clearly communicating the forbidden act. The verse also utilizes **Legal Language**, characterized by the direct, prohibitive command "thou shalt not approach," which is typical of the apodictic law found in the Holiness Code. This direct address emphasizes the absolute nature of the divine command. Furthermore, the verse functions as a specific instance within a broader **List of Prohibitions** in Leviticus 18, contributing to the chapter's comprehensive catalogue of forbidden sexual relationships. This structural device reinforces the overarching theme of sexual purity and the establishment of clear boundaries for Israel's moral conduct, implicitly drawing a **Contrast** between Israel's divinely ordained standards and the morally lax practices of surrounding nations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 18:19, while a specific ritual prohibition, is deeply rooted in profound theological principles. It underscores God's absolute demand for holiness in every aspect of His covenant people's lives, including their most intimate relationships. The concept of "uncleanness" (_niddah_) here is not about moral sin but about ritual impurity, which temporarily rendered an individual unfit for direct participation in sacred worship or contact with holy things. This distinction highlights God's meticulous concern for order, purity, and reverence for life. The law implicitly teaches respect for the natural cycles of a woman's body and the sacredness of sexual intimacy, which is to be governed by divine boundaries, not human impulse. By setting these parameters, God was establishing a distinct moral and social order for Israel, differentiating them from the morally corrupt and idolatrous practices of the surrounding pagan cultures. The underlying principle is that all of life, including sexuality, is to be lived under God's sovereign authority and for His glory.
* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - The Command to Be Holy")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage and the Marriage Bed")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - A Call to Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual laws concerning menstrual impurity are part of the Old Covenant and are not directly binding on New Covenant believers, the enduring principles embedded in Leviticus 18:19 remain profoundly relevant for Christian life and relationships. This verse calls us to a deep respect for the human body, created in God's image, and for the sacredness of sexual intimacy within marriage. It challenges believers to exercise self-control, mutual consideration, and honor for their spouse, acknowledging and respecting physical and emotional well-being. More broadly, it reinforces the call to live a life set apart for God's glory, pursuing moral purity and avoiding any form of sexual immorality that defiles the body, which is a temple of the Holy Spirit. The pursuit of holiness, rooted in reverence for God and love for one another, should permeate all aspects of our lives, including the most private.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of "holiness" from Leviticus 18:19 translate into practical respect and consideration within Christian marital intimacy today?**
* **In what ways does our contemporary culture challenge the biblical call for sexual purity and boundaries, and how can believers faithfully uphold God's standards?**
* **How does understanding the Old Testament's emphasis on ritual purity inform our New Testament understanding of spiritual purity and our call to be set apart for God?**

### FAQ
**Why was menstruation considered "unclean" in the Old Testament, and what does that mean for us today?**

Answer: In the Old Testament, "uncleanness" (Hebrew: _tum'ah_) related to menstruation was primarily a state of ritual impurity, not moral sinfulness. This distinction is crucial. It meant a woman was temporarily set apart from full participation in the community's sacred activities, such as entering the tabernacle or touching holy objects. The reasons for this designation are multifaceted: it likely had practical implications for hygiene in an ancient context, but more significantly, it carried symbolic weight. Blood, particularly that associated with life (or its absence, as in menstruation), was sacred to God (e.g., [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")). The temporary "uncleanness" acknowledged the mystery of life and death, the shedding of blood, and the need for purification before re-engaging with the holy. For believers today, while the ritual laws are fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principle of reverence for life, respect for the body, and the pursuit of purity in all things remains. Our "cleanness" now comes through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Christ, allowing us direct access to God (e.g., [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 18:19, like all Old Testament laws, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in Jesus Christ. While the specific ritual prohibition against sexual relations during menstruation is part of the Old Covenant's external purity code, Christ's coming inaugurated a New Covenant where internal purity and spiritual transformation are paramount. Jesus Himself demonstrated this by touching the "unclean" and making them whole (e.g., [Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25 "Mark 5:25-34 - Jesus Heals a Woman with a Hemorrhage")), showing that true defilement comes not from external contact but from the heart (e.g., [Mark 7:18-23](/mark/7-18 "Mark 7:18-23 - What Defiles a Person")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Christ became the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes (e.g., [Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")). He purifies us from all sin and uncleanness, not through ritual washings, but through His blood (e.g., [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - The Blood of Christ Purifies")). Therefore, the call to holiness, which Leviticus 18:19 exemplifies, is now realized in believers through the indwelling Holy Spirit, empowering us to live lives of moral purity and mutual respect within marriage, honoring God with our bodies as temples of the Spirit (e.g., [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple")).

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 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.

Ezekiel 22:10

In thee have they discovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution.

Ezekiel 18:6

[And] hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,

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 12:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.