Question 1

What does Leviticus 15:2 mean?

Accepted Answer

Leviticus 15:2 instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that if any man has a bodily discharge, he is considered unclean because of it. This verse sets out a rule about ritual purity related to certain physical conditions. God is speaking to Moses, who is to relay these instructions to the people of Israel. The verse addresses a specific situation: when a man has a "running issue" or discharge from his body, which in the context of ancient Israel made him ritually unclean. This is part of a larger section in Leviticus that deals with laws about cleanliness and uncleanliness, especially regarding bodily fluids and health.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 15:2

Accepted Answer

"Speak" (דָּבַר, dabar): This word means to communicate or declare. Here, it shows that Moses is to formally announce God's instructions, not just casually mention them. "Issue" (זוּב, zub): This word refers to a flow or discharge, usually understood as an abnormal bodily fluid. Its use signals that the law is about a specific medical or physical condition, not just any ordinary bodily function. "Unclean" (טָמֵא, tame): This term means ritually impure, not necessarily sinful or dirty in a moral sense. It marks someone as temporarily unable to participate in certain community or religious activities.

Question 3

Why Leviticus 15:2 matters

Accepted Answer

Leviticus 15:2 clarifies that ritual impurity in ancient Israel could be caused by natural, physical conditions, not just moral failings or intentional actions. The verse introduces a detailed section about bodily health and community standards, showing how daily life and worship were closely connected. Understanding the specific meaning of "unclean" here helps avoid confusion with modern ideas of cleanliness or sin, highlighting the cultural and religious context of these laws.

Leviticus 15:2 (KJV)