And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.

LEVITICUS 17:15KJV
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Leviticus 17:15 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 17:15 mean?

Leviticus 17:15 says that anyone who eats meat from an animal that died naturally or was killed by other animals must wash their clothes, bathe in water, and will be considered unclean until evening, after which they will be clean again. This rule applies to both Israelites and foreigners living among them.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to the Israelites through Moses about ritual cleanliness, especially concerning food. The situation is about maintaining purity in daily life, not just in worship. The verse highlights that these laws were meant for everyone in the community, not just native Israelites, showing the seriousness of ritual purity in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 17:15

  • The word "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) here refers to any person, not just the inner self, emphasizing that the law applies to every individual.
  • "Eateth" (אָכַל, akhal) means to consume or eat, focusing on the act of eating, not just touching or handling.
  • "Died" (נְבֵלָה, nevelah) means an animal that died of itself, not slaughtered properly, which was considered unfit for eating.
  • "Torn" (טְרֵפָה, terefah) refers to an animal killed by predators, also considered unclean for food.
  • "Stranger" (גֵּר, ger) means a foreigner living among the Israelites, showing the law’s reach beyond ethnic boundaries.
  • "Wash" (כָּבַס, kabas) and "bathe" (רָחַץ, rachats) are two separate actions, stressing both washing clothes and personal bathing as part of the cleansing process.
  • "Unclean" (טָמֵא, tame) means ritually impure, not morally sinful, and "clean" (טָהֵר, taher) means restored to a state where one can participate in community and worship life.

Why Leviticus 17:15 matters

  • Leviticus 17:15 clarifies that ritual impurity from eating certain animals was not a permanent condition but could be resolved by washing and waiting until evening, making the law practical for daily life.
  • The verse shows that God’s laws about purity were meant for everyone in the community, including foreigners, highlighting the inclusive nature of these commands.
  • This rule connects to the wider passage about the importance of respecting life and blood, and it helps explain why food laws were so central to Israelite identity and worship.

Where else these words appear

“torn” Hebrew H2966 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 31:39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
  • Exodus 22:31 And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
  • Ezekiel 4:14 Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.

“country” Hebrew H249 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 12:19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
  • Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
  • Numbers 15:13 All that are born of the country shall do these things after this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

“died” Hebrew H5038 · used in 41 verses

  • Leviticus 5:2 Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.
  • Leviticus 11:40 And he that eateth of the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
  • 2 Kings 9:37 And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel.

“wash” Hebrew H3526 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
  • Leviticus 14:47 And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes.
  • Numbers 8:21 And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.