### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **zôwb**, represented by `{{H2101}}`, refers to a **seminal or menstrual flux** or an **issue**. Derived from the root word `{{H2100}}`, it appears **13 times** across **10 unique verses**. This term is used exclusively within Levitical law to describe bodily discharges that result in a state of ceremonial uncleanness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H2101}}` is central to the purity laws outlined in Leviticus. It is used to define a state of ritual impurity for both men and women. For a man, any "running issue" from his flesh makes him "unclean" [[Leviticus 15:2]]. This state of uncleanness `{{H2932}}` applies whether the **issue** is flowing or stopped [[Leviticus 15:3]]. For a woman, the term describes an **issue** of blood, either during her regular time of "separation" `{{H5079}}` or as an abnormal flow, which likewise renders her "unclean" ([[Leviticus 15:19]], [[Leviticus 15:25]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the concept of ritual impurity associated with `{{H2101}}`:
* `{{H2100}}` **zûwb**: The root verb meaning **to flow freely**. While it describes the bodily issue itself, it is also used figuratively to describe the promised land as "flowing" with milk and honey [[Exodus 3:8]].
* `{{H2931}}` **ṭâmêʼ**: This adjective, meaning **unclean**, defines the state resulting from the **issue**. A person with such a discharge is pronounced **unclean** ([[Leviticus 15:2]], [[Leviticus 15:25]]).
* `{{H2891}}` **ṭâhêr**: This root word means **to be pure** or **to cleanse**. It represents the resolution to the impurity, achieved through prescribed rituals, after which a person "shall be clean" ([[Leviticus 15:13]], [[Leviticus 15:28]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2101}}` is tied directly to the Mosaic covenant's emphasis on holiness and purity.
* **Ritual Purity and Separation:** The laws concerning an **issue** establish a framework for separating the clean from the unclean. This separation was critical to prevent the defilement of the LORD's tabernacle and the community [[Leviticus 15:31]].
* **The Path to Cleansing:** The state of uncleanness `{{H2932}}` caused by an **issue** was not permanent. Scripture outlines a detailed process for "cleansing" `{{H2893}}`, which included a waiting period, washing `{{H3526}}`, and bathing `{{H7364}}` [[Leviticus 15:13]].
* **Necessity of Atonement:** Complete restoration required more than physical washing. A priest had to make an atonement `{{H3722}}` with a sin offering and a burnt offering before the LORD for the person's **issue** ([[Leviticus 15:15]], [[Leviticus 15:30]]), underscoring that even involuntary physical conditions had spiritual consequences.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2101}}` **zôwb** is more than a medical description; it is a precise legal term within the Levitical purity code. It defines a specific type of ritual uncleanness stemming from bodily discharges in both men and women. The detailed regulations for cleansing and atonement highlight the Old Testament's profound emphasis on holiness, separation, and the necessary steps for an individual to be considered clean before God and the community. This single term encapsulates a core aspect of the relationship between physical being and spiritual standing under the Mosaic Law.
TRV