Leviticus 15:5

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

And whosoever {H376} toucheth {H5060} his bed {H4904} shall wash {H3526} his clothes {H899}, and bathe {H7364} himself in water {H4325}, and be unclean {H2930} until the even {H6153}.

Whoever touches his bed is to wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening.

Anyone who touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

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

Commentary

Context

Leviticus 15:5 is part of a larger section (Leviticus 15) detailing laws concerning various bodily discharges that rendered an individual ritually "unclean." These regulations were crucial for ancient Israel, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ritual purity within the community, especially in their approach to a holy God and participation in sacred worship. The specific focus of this verse is on secondary contamination: if someone touched an object (like a bed or garment) that had been touched by a person with an unclean discharge, they too would become ritually unclean.

Key Themes

  • Ritual Purity and Impurity: The primary theme is the distinction between clean and unclean states. Being "unclean" did not necessarily imply sin, but rather a temporary state that prevented one from entering the tabernacle or participating fully in communal worship. It underscored the absolute holiness of God and the need for His people to approach Him in a purified state.
  • Contagion of Impurity: The verse highlights how impurity could spread from person to object, and then from object to another person. This taught the Israelites the pervasive nature of anything that compromised holiness and the need for meticulous care in daily life.
  • Prescribed Purification: The remedy for this secondary contamination was clear: washing clothes, bathing in water, and remaining in a state of uncleanness until evening. These actions were symbolic of cleansing and restoration to a ritually pure state.
  • God's Holiness and Separation: These laws served to impress upon Israel the profound difference between the sacred and the common, reinforcing God's demand for holiness from His covenant people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "unclean" is tameh (ื˜ึธืžึตื), which denotes a state of ritual impurity rather than moral defilement. It signifies separation from the sacred, making one unfit for divine presence or participation in holy rites. The phrase "bathe himself in water" implies a full washing or immersion, emphasizing the thoroughness required for purification.

Practical Application

While the specific ceremonial laws of Leviticus are not binding for believers under the New Covenant, the underlying spiritual principles remain profound. This verse teaches us:

  • The Seriousness of Sin and Impurity: Just as ritual impurity separated ancient Israelites from the tabernacle, sin separates us from God's holy presence (Isaiah 59:2).
  • The Need for Cleansing: The washing and bathing point to the necessity of purification. For Christians, this ultimate cleansing comes not from water, but from the blood of Jesus Christ, which purifies our consciences from dead works to serve the living God (1 John 1:7).
  • Maintaining Spiritual Purity: We are called to live holy lives, reflecting God's character (1 Peter 1:15-16). This involves actively seeking to remove anything that defiles us spiritually, whether through our thoughts, words, or actions.
  • Reverence for God's Presence: The meticulous nature of these laws reminds us that God is holy, and we should approach Him with reverence and a desire for inner purity, relying on Christ's perfect righteousness.
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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 11:25 (4 votes)

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

  • Leviticus 16:26 (3 votes)

    And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.

  • Leviticus 17:15 (3 votes)

    And every soul that eateth that which died [of itself], or that which was torn [with beasts, whether it be] one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.

  • Leviticus 11:32 (2 votes)

    And upon whatsoever [any] of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether [it be] any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel [it be], wherein [any] work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed.

  • Isaiah 1:16 (2 votes)

    ยถ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

  • Ezekiel 36:25 (2 votes)

    ยถ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

  • Leviticus 13:34 (2 votes)

    And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the scall: and, behold, [if] the scall be not spread in the skin, nor [be] in sight deeper than the skin; then the priest shall pronounce him clean: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.