Leviticus 15:3

And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it [is] his uncleanness.

And this shall be his uncleanness {H2932} in his issue {H2101}: whether his flesh {H1320} run {H7325} with his issue {H2101}, or his flesh {H1320} be stopped {H2856} from his issue {H2101}, it is his uncleanness {H2932}.

The discharge is unclean no matter whether it continues flowing or has stopped; it is still his uncleanness.

This uncleanness is from his discharge, whether his body allows the discharge to flow or blocks it. So his discharge will bring about uncleanness.

And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it is his uncleanness.

Commentary

Leviticus 15:3 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus (chapter 15) that details laws concerning various bodily discharges that render a person ritually unclean. Specifically, this verse addresses the uncleanness associated with a chronic or abnormal discharge from a man's body, often referred to as a "running issue" or "gonorrhea-like flow."

Context

The book of Leviticus is primarily concerned with establishing the laws and rituals for the newly formed nation of Israel, emphasizing the importance of holiness and purity in their relationship with God. Chapters 11-15 outline various laws regarding ritual cleanness and uncleanness, covering topics from clean and unclean foods to skin diseases and bodily discharges. The purpose of these laws was not primarily about sin, but about ritual fitness for worship and participation in the community. Being "unclean" meant temporary separation from the tabernacle and certain communal activities until a prescribed purification process was completed. This system highlighted God's absolute holiness and the need for His people to maintain a state of purity to dwell in His presence, as emphasized in Leviticus 11:44, "For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy."

Key Themes

  • Ritual Purity and Uncleanness: The central theme is the distinction between what is ritually clean and unclean. This verse specifies that a persistent bodily discharge, whether flowing freely or obstructed, results in a state of uncleanness. This uncleanness affected not only the individual but also anything or anyone they touched, leading to further purification rituals as described in the surrounding verses of Leviticus 15.
  • Holiness of God: These laws underscore God's absolute purity and His demand for holiness from His people. The detailed regulations ensured that the Israelites understood the sacredness of God's dwelling place (the Tabernacle) and the seriousness of approaching Him.
  • Hygiene and Public Health (Secondary): While primarily ritual, these laws also had practical benefits, serving as an ancient form of public health guidance. Identifying and isolating individuals with potentially contagious conditions helped prevent the spread of disease in the crowded Israelite camps.

Linguistic Insights

The key Hebrew term for "issue" in this chapter is zลv (ื–ื•ึนื‘), which refers to a chronic, abnormal bodily discharge or flow. It is distinct from normal bodily functions like seminal emission (which caused temporary uncleanness but was treated differently in the law) or menstruation. The specific nature of the discharge causing uncleanness in Leviticus 15:3 implies a persistent, pathological condition rather than a temporary or natural one. The term "uncleanness" is แนญum'ah (ื˜ึปืžึฐืึธื”), referring to a state of ritual impurity, not moral sin. This distinction is crucial for understanding the Old Testament ceremonial law.

Practical Application

While the specific ritual laws of Leviticus regarding bodily discharges are not directly applicable to believers today, as they were part of the Old Covenant's ceremonial system, the underlying principles remain vital:

  • God's Holiness Endures: The laws in Leviticus consistently point to God's inherent holiness and our need for purity to approach Him. In the New Covenant, this purity is not achieved through ritual washing or sacrifices but through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law.
  • Spiritual vs. Ceremonial Purity: Jesus taught that defilement comes from within, from the heart, not from external contact or physical conditions (as seen in Mark 7:15). Our focus has shifted from ritual uncleanness to spiritual purity and moral righteousness.
  • God's Concern for Order and Well-being: Even in ancient times, God's laws provided a framework for health and community well-being. This reminds us of God's comprehensive care for humanity, encompassing both spiritual and physical aspects of life.

Leviticus 15:3, like other purity laws, serves as a historical backdrop that helps us appreciate the radical freedom and spiritual cleansing offered through Christ, who makes us clean in a way that transcends all earthly rituals.

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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 23:20 (2 votes)

    For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh [is as] the flesh of asses, and whose issue [is like] the issue of horses.

  • Leviticus 12:3 (2 votes)

    And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

  • Ezekiel 16:26 (2 votes)

    Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.