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Book of Leviticus - Chapter 15 - Verse 21

15:21
And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

Meaning

When examining the meaning behind the verse 'And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.', it is important to understand the cultural and religious context of the time in which it was written. This verse is found in the book of Leviticus, which contains laws and regulations given to the Israelites by God through Moses. In this particular verse, the concept of ritual impurity is addressed. In the ancient Hebrew culture, certain actions or objects were considered unclean and required specific cleansing rituals to become purified once again. In this case, touching a woman's bed who was experiencing menstruation or other bodily discharges was seen as a source of ritual impurity. The act of washing clothes, bathing in water, and remaining unclean until the evening symbolized the process of cleansing oneself and being separated from impurity before God. While these laws may seem foreign to modern readers, they served as a way for the Israelites to maintain spiritual purity and holiness in their worship of God.

Theological Overview

In this verse from Leviticus 15:5, the commandment is given that anyone who touches the bed of a woman who is currently experiencing her menstrual period is required to wash his clothes, bathe himself in water, and remain unclean until the evening. This instruction is part of the detailed purity laws outlined in the book of Leviticus, which were meant to maintain the holiness and separation of the Israelites from impurities. The act of touching the bed of a menstruating woman was considered unclean and required purification through washing and bathing. The emphasis on cleanliness and ritual purity in this verse highlights the importance of maintaining spiritual and physical cleanliness in order to be in a state of holiness before God. The theological interpretation of this verse underscores the idea that God is concerned with the physical and spiritual well-being of His people, and that following His commandments demonstrates obedience and reverence for His holiness.

American Standard Version

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