ScriptureDepth's study of Leviticus 15
“‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.’”
Leviticus 15:31
Yahweh instructs Moses to separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, which is crucial for preventing defilement of 'my tabernacle' among them.
What Leviticus 15 is about
Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron about laws for discharges. If a man has a discharge, he is unclean. His uncleanness applies whether the discharge is ongoing or has stopped (vv. 1-3). Anything he lies on or sits on is unclean. Those who touch these items must wash and be unclean until evening (vv. 4-7). If he spits on someone clean, that person becomes unclean as well (vv. 8-9). After cleansing, he must bring offerings to the priest (vv. 13-15).
If a man has an emission of semen, he must wash his body and is unclean until evening (vv. 16-17). If a woman has a discharge of blood, she is unclean for seven days (vv. 19-20). Those who touch her during this time become unclean (vv. 21-23). The same rules apply for prolonged discharges (vv. 25-26). They must also bring offerings once they are clean (vv. 29-30). Yahweh instructs the Israelites to remain clean to avoid defiling the tabernacle (vv. 31-33).
The Israelites are instructed to be clean to avoid defiling Yahweh's tabernacle among them.
Leviticus 15 at a glance
- Leviticus 15:1–7Laws on Male Discharges
- Leviticus 15:8–15Purification After Discharges
- Leviticus 15:16–24Discharges Related to Semen
- Leviticus 15:25–30Laws on Female Discharges
- Leviticus 15:31–33Significance of the Purification Laws
Key verse: Leviticus 15:31
One thing to notice
Instructions regarding purification after discharges include similar actions for both men and women, as seen in the requirements to bathe and make offerings. Both sections conclude with a process that includes a waiting period and offering at the Tent of Meeting in vv. 13-15 and vv. 28-30.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Leviticus 15 (WEB)
Laws on Male Discharges Leviticus 15:1–7
1Verse 1. Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2Verse 2. “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When any man has a discharge from his body, because of his discharge he is unclean. 3Verse 3. This shall be his uncleanness in his discharge: whether his body runs with his discharge, or his body has stopped from his discharge, it is his uncleanness. 4Verse 4. “‘Every bed whereon he who has the discharge lies shall be unclean; and everything he sits on shall be unclean. 5Verse 5. Whoever touches his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 6Verse 6. He who sits on anything whereon the man who has the discharge sat shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
7Verse 7. “‘He who touches the body of him who has the discharge shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
Purification After Discharges Leviticus 15:8–15
8Verse 8. “‘If he who has the discharge spits on him who is clean, then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 9Verse 9. “‘Whatever saddle he who has the discharge rides on shall be unclean. 10Verse 10. Whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until the evening. He who carries those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 11Verse 11. “‘Whoever he who has the discharge touches, without having rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
12Verse 12. “‘The earthen vessel, which he who has the discharge touches, shall be broken; and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water. 13Verse 13. “‘When he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes; and he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean. 14Verse 14. “‘On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before Yahweh to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and give them to the priest: 15Verse 15. and the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. The priest shall make atonement for him before Yahweh for his discharge.
Discharges Related to Semen Leviticus 15:16–24
16Verse 16. “‘If any man has an emission of semen, then he shall bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening. 17Verse 17. Every garment, and every skin, whereon the semen is, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the evening. 18Verse 18. If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the evening. 19Verse 19. “‘If a woman has a discharge, and her discharge in her flesh is blood, she shall be in her impurity seven days: and whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening.
20Verse 20. “‘Everything that she lies on in her impurity shall be unclean. Everything also that she sits on shall be unclean. 21Verse 21. Whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 22Verse 22. Whoever touches anything that she sits on shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 23Verse 23. If it is on the bed, or on anything whereon she sits, when he touches it, he shall be unclean until the evening. 24Verse 24. “‘If any man lies with her, and her monthly flow is on him, he shall be unclean seven days; and every bed whereon he lies shall be unclean.
Laws on Female Discharges Leviticus 15:25–30
25Verse 25. “‘If a woman has a discharge of her blood many days not in the time of her period, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her period; all the days of the discharge of her uncleanness shall be as in the days of her period: she is unclean. 26Verse 26. Every bed whereon she lies all the days of her discharge shall be to her as the bed of her period: and everything whereon she sits shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her period. 27Verse 27. Whoever touches these things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
28Verse 28. “‘But if she is cleansed of her discharge, then she shall count to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. 29Verse 29. On the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and bring them to the priest, to the door of the Tent of Meeting. 30Verse 30. The priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her before Yahweh for the uncleanness of her discharge.
Significance of the Purification Laws Leviticus 15:31–33
31Verse 31. “‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.’” 32Verse 32. This is the law of him who has a discharge, and of him who has an emission of semen, so that he is unclean thereby; 33Verse 33. and of her who has her period, and of a man or woman who has a discharge, and of him who lies with her who is unclean.
World English Bible (public domain)
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Leviticus 15
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture. Ask unlimited questions and keep study notes on every chapter. 7 days free, no card.
Main themes in Leviticus 15
ritual purity
The laws in Leviticus 15 establish clear guidelines for ritual purity concerning bodily discharges. For instance, in v. 3, it is stated that ‘because of his discharge he is unclean’. The text outlines what actions must be taken when a person comes into contact with the unclean, focusing on the necessity of washing and waiting until evening, as seen in v. 5. This focus on cleanliness is central to maintaining ritual purity within the community.
community health
The chapter sets forth regulations intended to protect community health by preventing the spread of uncleanness. In vv. 20-21, it is noted that ‘whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening’, which shows how individual health issues can impact the wider community. The laws encourage individuals to practice hygiene and separation when experiencing certain bodily discharges, ensuring the community remains healthy.
God's holiness
Leviticus 15 details laws surrounding bodily discharges to uphold God's holiness among the people. In v. 31, the instruction is given to ‘separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness’, indicating how these laws serve to maintain holiness. The text reveals that maintaining cleanliness is directly tied to the presence of God within the community, emphasizing the seriousness of adhering to these purity laws.
sacredness of the body
The chapter addresses the sacredness of the body by discussing the implications of various discharges. In vv. 16-17, it notes that ‘if any man has an emission of semen, then he shall bathe all his flesh in water’, highlighting the physical responses required due to bodily conditions. This focus indicates a recognition of the body’s sacredness and the regulations surrounding its purity.
Chapter outline
How Leviticus 15 unfolds
Leviticus 15:1–7 Laws on Male Discharges
Yahweh instructs Moses and Aaron to communicate the laws regarding male discharges, stating that any man with a discharge is unclean (v. 2) and anyone who touches the affected person or their belongings must wash and remain unclean until evening (vv. 5-7).
Leviticus 15:8–15 Purification After Discharges
Those with a discharge must wash their clothes and bathe, becoming unclean until evening after touching a clean person or anything under them (vv. 8-10). After seven days of cleansing, they must present offerings to the priest for atonement (vv. 13-15).
Leviticus 15:16–24 Discharges Related to Semen
A man with an emission of semen must bathe and be unclean until evening, with garments also needing washing (vv. 16-17). Both partners are unclean after sexual relations, as is anyone who touches a woman during her menstrual discharge (vv. 18-24).
Leviticus 15:25–30 Laws on Female Discharges
A woman with an extended menstrual discharge remains unclean, requiring the same treatment as during her period (vv. 25-26). After seven days of cleanliness, she must bring offerings to the priest for atonement (vv. 29-30).
Leviticus 15:31–33 Significance of the Purification Laws
The laws aim to keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness to prevent death from defiling the tabernacle (v. 31). This law covers discharges and emissions, ensuring purity for both men and women (vv. 32-33).
Key verses
Leviticus 15:31Yahweh instructs Moses to separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, which is crucial for preventing defilement of 'my tabernacle' among them.
Get a short devotional by email, one passage and one question a day.
One short email each morning, with the free study guide. Unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. We use your address only to send this email.
Study questions
Questions for studying Leviticus 15
- observeIn v14, what offerings does the man bring to the priest after his cleansing?
- observeWhat does the phrase 'seven days' in v19 indicate about the woman's impurity?
- interpretIn vv. 25-26, why are the days of the woman's discharge treated as 'unclean' like her period?
- interpretThe act of touching a bed in v21: what does this say about communal purity?
- applyHow do you respond to situations that make you feel 'unclean' or out of place?
For Bible groups
Study Leviticus 15 with your group
A free one-page handout with the overview, key verse, outline and discussion questions, ready to print for everyone at the table.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Leviticus 15
- Mark 5Leviticus 15:25 and Mark 5:25Both mention a discharge: Leviticus 15:25 states 'she is unclean,' while Mark 5:25 describes 'a certain woman, who had an issue of blood for twelve years,'.
- Leviticus 11Leviticus 15:12 and Leviticus 11:32Both discuss uncleanness: Leviticus 15:12 says 'shall be broken,' while Leviticus 11:32 notes 'it shall be unclean; whether it is any vessel of wood.'.
- Numbers 19Leviticus 15:31 and Numbers 19:20Both emphasize purification: Leviticus 15:31 says 'so they will not die in their uncleanness,' while Numbers 19:20 states 'that soul shall be cut off from among the assembly.'.
- Leviticus 14Leviticus 15:13 and Leviticus 14:8Both detail cleansing: Leviticus 15:13 says 'he shall bathe his flesh in running water,' while Leviticus 14:8 states 'he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water.'.
- Leviticus 12Leviticus 15:19 and Leviticus 12:2Both refer to impurity: Leviticus 15:19 states 'she shall be in her impurity,' while Leviticus 12:2 notes 'she shall be unclean seven days.'.
- Leviticus 22Leviticus 15:16 and Leviticus 22:4Both discuss uncleanness: Leviticus 15:16 states 'shall be unclean until the evening,' while Leviticus 22:4 mentions 'whoever touches anything that is unclean.'.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Leviticus 15
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Leviticus: the whole bookLeviticus picks up exactly where Exodus ends: God's glory now fills the tabernacle, and the urgent question is…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 45Day 45 of 365: Leviticus 12–15.
- ForgivenessWhat the Bible says about forgiveness, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Leviticus 15: frequently asked questions
What is Leviticus 15 about?+
What is the key verse in Leviticus 15?+
What are the main themes of Leviticus 15?+
Studying Leviticus with a print Bible beside you? See our study Bible guides.