Leviticus 15:17 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 15:17 mean?

Leviticus 15:17 says that if any garment or leather item comes into contact with semen, it must be washed with water and will be considered unclean until evening. This instruction is part of a set of rules about ritual cleanliness in ancient Israel.

In this verse, God is giving Moses and Aaron specific guidelines for the Israelites about bodily discharges and how they affect ritual purity. The focus is on maintaining ceremonial cleanliness, not moral wrongdoing. The verse uses practical language to address everyday situations, showing concern for both hygiene and ritual order in the community.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 15:17

• "garment" (בֶּגֶד, beged): This word refers to any kind of clothing or fabric. Its use here shows the law covers all types of wearable items, not just special garments.
• "skin" (עוֹר, ‘or): This means animal hide or leather. Including leather items highlights that ritual impurity was not limited to cloth but included all materials people used.
• "seed" (זֶרַע, zera‘): This word means "seed" but is often used for semen in contexts like this. The law is specifically about contact with semen, not other bodily fluids.
• "copulation" (שְׁכָבָה, shekhavah): This term means "lying down" and, together with "seed," refers to semen from sexual activity. The law is not about sexual sin but about the physical result.
• "washed" (כָּבַס, kavas): This verb means to wash or launder, usually with water. The instruction is practical: a thorough cleaning is required.
• "unclean" (טָמֵא, tame’): This word means ritually impure, not dirty or sinful. The item is set apart from normal use until evening.
• "even" (עֶרֶב, ‘erev): This means "evening." Ritual impurity lasted until sunset, after which normal status was restored.

Why Leviticus 15:17 matters

• Leviticus 15:17 clarifies that ritual impurity could be transferred to objects, not just people, and gives a practical way to restore cleanliness.
• The verse shows that the laws of purity were detailed and covered daily life, not just religious ceremonies or special occasions.
• This instruction fits into a larger passage about bodily discharges, helping the reader see how the ancient Israelites maintained both hygiene and ritual order in their community life.