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.
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).
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).
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.
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