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Leviticus 15

33 verses

TL;DR

Leviticus 15 outlines ritual laws governing bodily discharges in men and menstruation in women, detailing periods of impurity, purification procedures, and atonement offerings to restore cleanliness.

Summary

The chapter begins with the LORD instructing Moses and Aaron to teach Israel about uncleanness caused by a man’s bodily discharge. It specifies that the discharge itself, any object touched by it, and those who touch it become unclean until evening, requiring washing and separation. The text then sets out a seven‑day purification period for the afflicted, followed by a cleansing day on the eighth where two birds are offered as sin and burnt offerings to the priest for atonement. Men’s semen is treated similarly, mandating washing and uncleanliness until evening. Women’s menstrual blood causes a seven‑day period of uncleanness, with all items they touch rendered unclean; they are also required to keep the area clean. After the menstrual period, a similar cleansing routine is followed, culminating in the same atonement ceremony. The laws aim to prevent the defilement of the tabernacle and maintain communal purity. The chapter concludes by summarizing these laws and their purpose: to separate Israel from impurity and preserve the holiness of the sanctuary.

Outline
  1. Men’s bodily discharge: impurity, separation, and cleansing protocol
  2. Women’s menstrual period: rules of uncleanness, cleansing, and atonement
  3. General principles of purification, separation, and the role of the priest in atonement
Themes
Ritual purity and impurityCleansing and separation from sinAtonement through sacrifice
Keywords
uncleannesscleanimpuritybodily dischargemenstruationsin offeringburnt offeringatonementpurificationtabernacle
People
MosesAaronthe LORDthe people of Israelthe priest
Places
Tabernacle of the congregationIsrael
Things
bodily dischargemenstrual blooduncleannesscleaning with watersin offeringburnt offeringturtledove or pigeonbedvessel
Key Verses
  • Leviticus 15:1: The law is formally introduced as divine instruction to Moses and Aaron.
  • Leviticus 15:13: Marks the beginning of the seven‑day cleansing period for those afflicted.
  • Leviticus 15:15: Describes the atonement sacrifice required on the eighth day.
  • Leviticus 15:31: States the overarching purpose of these regulations: to keep the community from defiling the tabernacle.
Questions
  • What does the requirement of washing and separation in Leviticus 15 reveal about Israelite concepts of purity?
  • How do the procedures for men’s discharges and women’s menstruation compare, and what theological significance might this have?
  • Why is the atonement ceremony on the eighth day emphasized, and what does it symbolize regarding the transition from impurity to cleanliness?
Sentiment

neutral
The passage is prescriptive and descriptive, lacking emotive language.