And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean.

LEVITICUS 15:25KJV
Know the Bible

Leviticus 15:25 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 15:25 mean?

Leviticus 15:25 says that if a woman has a flow of blood for many days outside of her usual menstrual period, or if it lasts longer than normal, she is considered unclean for as long as the bleeding continues, just as she would be during her regular time of separation. This rule treats any abnormal or extended bleeding with the same seriousness as her normal monthly period.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to Moses for the Israelites about ritual cleanliness. The focus is on a situation where a woman experiences bleeding that is not part of her regular cycle. The verse sets out that the same rules for ritual impurity apply, which would affect her participation in community and religious life. This guidance is part of a larger section on bodily discharges and how they affect ritual status.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 15:25

  • The word for "issue" is זוּב (zuv), meaning a flow or discharge. This word highlights that the concern is with any ongoing or abnormal flow, not just the regular cycle.
  • "Separation" is נִדָּה (niddah), which refers to the period when a woman is set apart due to her menstrual cycle. The verse uses this word to connect the rules for abnormal bleeding to those for the regular period.
  • "Uncleanness" is טֻמְאָה (tum'ah), meaning ritual impurity. This is not about moral wrongdoing but about ritual status in the community.
  • "Unclean" is טָמֵא (tame), which means to be in a state of ritual impurity. This status affects daily life and participation in worship.

Why Leviticus 15:25 matters

  • Leviticus 15:25 clarifies that the laws of ritual impurity apply not only to regular menstruation but also to any unusual or prolonged bleeding, showing attention to a range of real-life situations.
  • The verse helps explain why there were detailed rules about bodily discharges in ancient Israel, emphasizing the importance of ritual purity for community and worship.
  • Understanding this verse helps readers see how the surrounding laws in Leviticus 15 are meant to protect both health and ritual order, not to shame or punish individuals.

Where else these words appear

“issue” Hebrew H2101 · used in 10 verses

  • Leviticus 15:2 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 15:15 And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue.
  • Leviticus 15:28 But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.

“separation” Hebrew H5079 · used in 24 verses

  • Leviticus 12:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
  • Leviticus 18:19 Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.
  • Ezra 9:11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.

“uncleanness” Hebrew H2932 · used in 31 verses

  • Leviticus 5:3 Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty.
  • Leviticus 18:19 Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.
  • Ezra 9:11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.

“have” Hebrew H2100 · used in 41 verses

  • Exodus 3:8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
  • 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.
  • Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.