The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.

LEVITICUS 15:18KJV
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Leviticus 15:18 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 15:18 mean?

Leviticus 15:18 says that when a man and a woman have sexual relations, both are required to bathe in water and are considered ritually unclean until evening. This instruction is about ritual purity, not moral wrongdoing, and sets out what to do after sexual activity according to ancient Israelite law.

In Leviticus, God is giving Moses laws for the Israelites about purity and daily life. This verse is part of a longer section explaining what makes a person ritually unclean and what steps to take afterward. The focus is on practical actions—bathing and waiting until evening—to restore ritual cleanliness, which was important for participation in community and worship.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 15:18

  • "Lie" (שָׁכַב, shakav): This word means to lie down, often used for sexual relations. Its use here is direct and physical, not metaphorical.
  • "Seed" (זֶרַע, zera): This means seed or offspring, but in this context, it refers specifically to semen.
  • "Copulation" (שִׁכְבַת, shikhvat): This word is related to lying down, emphasizing the physical act of sexual union.
  • "Bathe" (רָחַץ, rachats): This means to wash or bathe, indicating a full washing with water, not just a symbolic act.
  • "Unclean" (טָמֵא, tame): This word refers to ritual impurity, not physical dirtiness or sinfulness. It means the person cannot take part in certain religious activities until evening.
  • "Even" (עֶרֶב, erev): This means evening, marking the end of the period of impurity.

Why Leviticus 15:18 matters

  • Leviticus 15:18 clarifies that ritual impurity after sex is not about sin but about ceremonial status, which is reset by bathing and waiting until evening.
  • This verse shows the practical, everyday nature of many Old Testament purity laws, which affected ordinary life and not just religious rituals.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the broader chapter, which deals with bodily discharges and their impact on ritual cleanliness, showing the interconnectedness of physical life and worship in ancient Israel.

Where else these words appear

“copulation” Hebrew H7902 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 16:13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.
  • Leviticus 15:16 And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

“bathe” Hebrew H7364 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • Leviticus 15:5 And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • Judges 19:21 So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.

“even” Hebrew H6153 · used in 130 verses

  • Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • 1 Kings 17:6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

“unclean” Hebrew H2930 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 34:5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
  • Leviticus 15:20 And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.
  • Deuteronomy 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day;(for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.