Leviticus 22:6

The soul which hath touched any such shall be unclean until even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he wash his flesh with water.

The soul {H5315} which hath touched {H5060} any such shall be unclean {H2930} until even {H6153}, and shall not eat {H398} of the holy things {H6944}, unless {H518} he wash {H7364} his flesh {H1320} with water {H4325}.

the person who touches any of these will be unclean until evening and is not to eat the holy things unless he bathes his body in water.

the man who touches any of these will remain unclean until evening. He must not eat from the sacred offerings unless he has bathed himself with water.

the soul that toucheth any such shall be unclean until the even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he bathe his flesh in water.

Commentary

Leviticus 22:6 outlines a specific regulation concerning ritual purity for those handling or consuming sacred offerings in ancient Israel. This verse emphasizes the necessity for individuals to be ceremonially clean before engaging with items consecrated to God, highlighting the sanctity of divine ordinances.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Leviticus (chapters 21-22) that details the laws governing the holiness required of priests and their families. These regulations ensured that those serving God and partaking of the holy offerings remained ritually pure. "Any such" refers to various sources of uncleanness mentioned earlier in Leviticus, such as touching a dead body, an unclean animal, or a person with a discharge (Leviticus 11, Leviticus 15). The consequence of contact with such things was a state of ritual impurity, which temporarily barred one from the sacred meals or activities related to the tabernacle.

Key Themes

  • Ritual Purity and Holiness: The primary theme is the strict requirement for ceremonial cleanness. God's absolute holiness demanded that everything associated with His worship, including the participants, be set apart and pure. This was not about moral sin but about maintaining a state of separation from defilement.
  • Access to Holy Things: The verse clearly links ritual purity to the ability to "eat of the holy things." These "holy things" (Hebrew: qodesh) were portions of sacrifices and offerings designated for the priests and their families, representing their sustenance from God's altar. Uncleanness meant temporary disqualification from this privilege.
  • Temporary Uncleanness and Purification: The phrase "unclean until even" indicates that this state of impurity was temporary, lasting until sunset. The prescribed remedy, "wash his flesh with water," underscores the importance of ritual cleansing as a means of restoration to a state of purity, allowing re-entry into sacred participation.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "soul" (Hebrew: nephesh) in this context refers to the entire person, emphasizing that the individual, not just a part of them, became unclean.
  • "Unclean" (Hebrew: tameh) denotes a state of ceremonial impurity, distinct from moral sin. It rendered a person unfit for sacred activities but did not necessarily imply moral guilt.
  • "Until even" (Hebrew: ad ha'erev) signifies that the period of defilement was limited, ending with the close of the day, after which, if the washing was performed, the person would be clean again.

Practical Application

While these specific regulations were part of the Old Covenant law for Israel, the underlying principles hold spiritual significance for believers today:

  • Reverence for God's Holiness: This verse reminds us of God's unchanging holiness and the reverence required when approaching Him. Just as physical defilement barred access to earthly holy things, spiritual defilement can hinder our communion with God.
  • The Need for Cleansing: The washing with water foreshadows the spiritual cleansing provided through Christ. Our moral impurities, unlike ceremonial ones, require the atoning work of Jesus (Hebrews 9:22). We are made clean by His blood and continually purified through confession and repentance (1 John 1:9).
  • Mindfulness in Our Walk: Though we are not under the Mosaic Law's ceremonial code, the principle of guarding our spiritual purity remains. We are called to live a holy life, separate from the defilements of the world, so that we can fully partake in the spiritual blessings and communion God offers.
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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 15:5

    And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even.

  • Hebrews 10:22

    Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

  • Leviticus 16:24

    And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people.

  • Leviticus 16:28

    And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.

  • Haggai 2:13

    Then said Haggai, If [one that is] unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.

  • Leviticus 11:24

    And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even.

  • Leviticus 11:25

    And whosoever beareth [ought] of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
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