Albert Barnes Commentary Leviticus 15
Albert Barnes Commentary
Leviticus 15
Albert Barnes Commentary
Leviticus 15
"And Jehovah spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying," — Leviticus 15:1 (ASV)
This chapter would seem to take its place more naturally before Leviticus 12:1-8, with the subject of which it is immediately connected. Compare especially Leviticus 12:2 with Leviticus 15:19. It stands here between two chapters, with neither of which has it any close connection.
"And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue, then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes; and he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean." — Leviticus 15:13 (ASV)
The mere cessation of the discharge does not make him clean: he must wait seven days, and so forth, preparatory to his offering sacrifice.
"And if any man`s seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even. And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even. The woman also with whom a man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even." — Leviticus 15:16-18 (ASV)
Most of the ancient religions made a similar recognition of impurity and of the need of purification (Leviticus 15:17).
Every garment—compare Jude 1:23.
"And if any man lie with her, and her impurity be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and every bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean." — Leviticus 15:24 (ASV)
This must refer to an unexpected occurrence. Intercourse during the acknowledged period was a heavy crime, and was to be punished by “cutting off” (Leviticus 18:19; Leviticus 20:18; Ezekiel 18:6).
"Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is in the midst of them. This is the law of him that hath an issue, and of him whose seed of copulation goeth from him, so that he is unclean thereby; and of her that is sick with her impurity, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean." — Leviticus 15:31-33 (ASV)
This solemn admonition is addressed to Moses and Aaron .
My tabernacle — Strictly, “my dwelling-place” משׁכן mı̂shkān — as in Leviticus 8:10; Leviticus 17:4; Leviticus 26:11. The word rendered “tabernacle” elsewhere in Leviticus is properly “tent.” See the Exodus 26:1 note.
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