Leviticus 15:17
Leviticus 15:17 in Multiple Translations
Any clothing or leather on which there is an emission of semen must be washed with water, and it will remain unclean until evening.
And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with 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.
And any clothing or skin on which the seed comes is to be washed with water and be unclean till evening.
Any clothing or leather that the release of semen falls on must be washed with water, and it will remain unclean until the evening.
And euery garment, and euery skinne whereupon shalbe issue of seede, shall be euen washed with water, and be vncleane vnto the euen.
'And any garment, or any skin on which there is seed of copulation, hath also been washed with water, and been unclean till the evening.
Every garment and every skin which the semen is on shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the evening.
And every garment, and every skin on which is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the evening.
The garment or skin that he weareth, he shall wash with water, and it shall be unclean until the evening.
Any clothing or leather that has semen on it must be washed, and no one should touch it until that evening.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 15:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 15:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/כָל
בֶּ֣גֶד
וְ/כָל
ע֔וֹר
אֲשֶׁר
יִהְיֶ֥ה
עָלָ֖י/ו
שִׁכְבַת
זָ֑רַע
וְ/כֻבַּ֥ס
בַּ/מַּ֖יִם
וְ/טָמֵ֥א
עַד
הָ/עָֽרֶב
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
בֶּ֣גֶד
beged
H899
treachery
N-ms
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
ע֔וֹר
ʻôwr
H5785
skin
N-ms
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
יִהְיֶ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עָלָ֖י/ו
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
שִׁכְבַת
shᵉkâbâh
H7902
semen
N-fs
זָ֑רַע
zeraʻ
H2233
seed
N-ms
וְ/כֻבַּ֥ס
kâbaç
H3526
to wash
Conj | V-Pual-3ms
בַּ/מַּ֖יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Prep | N-mp
וְ/טָמֵ֥א
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
to defile
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
הָ/עָֽרֶב
ʻereb
H6153
evening
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 15:17
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בֶּ֣גֶד
beged
H899
"treachery"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to clothing or a covering, like a garment or robe. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus, describing what people wore. The word is often translated as 'apparel' or 'raiment'.
Definition: treachery, deceit
Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe. See also: Genesis 24:53; Judges 17:10; Psalms 22:19.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
ע֔וֹר
ʻôwr
H5785
"skin"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means skin, like human skin or animal hide, and is used in the Bible to describe leather. It appears in Exodus 25:5 to describe the materials used to build the tabernacle. The word is also used in Genesis 3:21 to describe the clothing God made for Adam and Eve.
Definition: 1) skin, hide 1a) skin (of men) 1b) hide (of animals)
Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: hide, leather, skin. See also: Genesis 3:21; Leviticus 13:35; Jeremiah 13:23.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
יִהְיֶ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
עָלָ֖י/ו
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
שִׁכְבַת
shᵉkâbâh
H7902
"semen"
N-fs
Semen refers to the seed or layer of something, and can also describe the act of lying down for sexual relations. It is used in the Bible to describe human intimacy.
Definition: 1) act of lying, layer, coating 1a) act of lying (of sexual relations) 1b) layer
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, copulation, [idiom] lay, seed. See also: Exodus 16:13; Leviticus 15:18; Numbers 5:13.
זָ֑רַע
zeraʻ
H2233
"seed"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.
Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.
וְ/כֻבַּ֥ס
kâbaç
H3526
"to wash"
Conj | V-Pual-3ms
To wash means to clean something, often by trampling or stamping on it with the feet, as seen in the process of washing clothes.
Definition: 1) to wash (by treading), be washed, perform the work of a fuller 1a) (Qal) washer, fuller, treader (participle) 1b) (Piel) to wash (garments, person) 1c) (Pual) to be washed 1d) (Hothpael) to be washed out
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: fuller, wash(-ing). See also: Genesis 49:11; Leviticus 15:21; Psalms 51:4.
בַּ/מַּ֖יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Prep | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
וְ/טָמֵ֥א
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
"to defile"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This Hebrew word means to be foul or contaminated, often in a moral or ceremonial sense. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is unclean or polluted. In the book of Leviticus, it talks about being unclean and how to become clean again.
Definition: 1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure 1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean 1a1) sexually 1a2) religiously 1a3) ceremonially 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled 1b1a) sexually 1b1b) by idolatry 1b1c) ceremonially 1b2) to be regarded as unclean 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to defile 1c1a) sexually 1c1b) religiously 1c1c) ceremonially 1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially) 1c3) to profane (God's name) 1d) (Pual) to be defiled 1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean 1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:5; Leviticus 22:5; Psalms 79:1.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
הָ/עָֽרֶב
ʻereb
H6153
"evening"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means evening or sunset, like when God created daylight and darkness in Genesis. It refers to the time of day, often marking the end of a workday. This word is used in many verses, including Exodus and Psalms.
Definition: 1) evening, night, sunset 1a) evening, sunset 1b) night
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] day, even(-ing, tide), night. See also: Genesis 1:5; Numbers 19:19; Psalms 30:6.
Study Notes — Leviticus 15:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Cleansing of Men
15The priest is to sacrifice them, one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for the man before the LORD because of his discharge.
16When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his whole body with water, and he will be unclean until evening.
17Any clothing or leather on which there is an emission of semen must be washed with water, and it will remain unclean until evening.
18If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water, and they will remain unclean until evening. 19When a woman has a discharge consisting of blood from her body, she will be unclean due to her menstruation for seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean until evening.Leviticus 15:17 Summary
This verse is talking about what happens when a man has an emission of semen and it gets on his clothes or leather items. The Bible says that these items need to be washed with water and will remain unclean until the evening, as a way to ritually cleanse them. This concept of uncleanness is not about being sinful, but rather about recognizing God's holiness, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45. We can learn from this verse that God is holy and that we need to be mindful of our actions and seek His purification in our lives, just like we seek to be cleansed from sin through Jesus Christ, as seen in 1 John 1:9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Bible consider semen unclean?
The Bible considers semen unclean because it is a bodily fluid that is connected to the reproductive process, and in the Old Testament, bodily fluids were often associated with uncleanness, as seen in Leviticus 15:16 and Leviticus 15:18. This concept of uncleanness is not about being sinful, but rather about being set apart for a time to recognize God's holiness.
What is the significance of washing with water in this verse?
Washing with water is a symbol of purification, as seen in other parts of the Bible, such as Exodus 30:20 and Hebrews 10:22. In this context, washing the clothing or leather with water is a way to ritually cleanse it from the uncleanness of the semen.
Why does the uncleanness last until evening?
The uncleanness lasting until evening is a common theme in the Old Testament, as seen in Leviticus 15:5-11 and Leviticus 15:19-24. It is likely that the evening marks a new day, and the uncleanness is a way to separate the person or object from the rest of the community for a period of time, recognizing God's holiness and the need for ritual cleansing.
How does this verse relate to modern Christian living?
While the specific rules about uncleanness are not directly applicable to modern Christian living, the underlying principle of recognizing God's holiness and the need for ritual cleansing can be applied to our lives, as seen in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 2 Corinthians 7:1. We can learn to separate ourselves from things that are unclean and to seek God's purification in our lives.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can apply the principle of ritual cleansing to my own life, recognizing God's holiness and my need for purification?
- How can I balance the need for ritual cleansing with the fact that, as a Christian, I am already cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, as seen in 1 John 1:7 and Revelation 7:14?
- What are some areas of my life where I may be unknowingly harboring uncleanness, and how can I seek God's purification in those areas?
- How can I use the concept of uncleanness to teach my children or others about the importance of recognizing God's holiness and the need for ritual cleansing?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 15:17
And every garment, and every skin,.... Or that is made of skin, which a man wears, or lies upon, see Leviticus 13:48; whereon is the seed of copulation; or on any other, for, as Gersom says, there is
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 15:17
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. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 15:17
(17) And every skin.—That is, everything which a man wears or lies upon made of skin, in contradistinction to the ordinary garments made of stuffs (see Leviticus 13:48) with which it is associated. Any one of these thus defiled was cleansed by washing. It is from this circumstance that the apostle borrows the expression “hating even the garments spotted by the flesh” (Jude 1:23).
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 15:17
17. Every skin — Those inhabitants of the East who affect ancient simplicity of manners make use of goatskins for seats and beds. In some cases they take the place of carpets.