Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, because of his issue he is unclean.
LEVITICUS 15:2KJVWhat does Leviticus 15:2 mean?
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.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 15:2
- "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.
Why Leviticus 15:2 matters
- 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.