Leviticus 17:16
Leviticus 17:16 in Multiple Translations
But if he does not wash his clothes and bathe himself, then he shall bear his iniquity.”
But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.
But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.
But if his clothing is not washed and his body bathed, his sin will be on him.
But if they don't wash their clothes and wash themselves with water, then they bear responsibility for their guilt.”
But if he wash them not, nor wash his flesh, then he shall beare his iniquitie.
and if he wash not, and his flesh bathe not — then he hath borne his iniquity.'
But if he doesn’t wash them, or bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.’”
But if he doth not wash them , nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.
But if he do not wash his clothes, and his body, he shall bear his iniquity.
If he does not do those things, he will be punished for what he did.’”
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 17:16
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 17:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אִם֙
לֹ֣א
יְכַבֵּ֔ס
וּ/בְשָׂר֖/וֹ
לֹ֣א
יִרְחָ֑ץ
וְ/נָשָׂ֖א
עֲוֺנֽ/וֹ
וְ/אִם֙
ʼim
H518
if
Conj | Conj
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יְכַבֵּ֔ס
kâbaç
H3526
to wash
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
וּ/בְשָׂר֖/וֹ
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
Conj | N-ms | Suff
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִרְחָ֑ץ
râchats
H7364
to wash
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/נָשָׂ֖א
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
עֲוֺנֽ/וֹ
ʻâvôn
H5771
iniquity
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 17:16
וְ/אִם֙
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj | Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יְכַבֵּ֔ס
kâbaç
H3526
"to wash"
V-Piel-Imperf-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.
וּ/בְשָׂר֖/וֹ
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִרְחָ֑ץ
râchats
H7364
"to wash"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for washing or bathing, used in Exodus 30:19 where priests had to wash their hands and feet before entering the temple. It means to clean or purify oneself, as seen in 2 Kings 5:10 where Elisha tells Naaman to wash in the Jordan River.
Definition: : wash 1) to wash, wash off, wash away, bathe 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wash, wash off, wash away 1a2) to wash, bathe (oneself) 1b) (Pual) to be washed 1c) (Hithpael) to wash oneself 2a) (Hithpael Passive) to be regarded clean, trustworthy
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: bathe (self), wash (self). See also: Genesis 18:4; Leviticus 16:4; Psalms 26:6.
וְ/נָשָׂ֖א
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
עֲוֺנֽ/וֹ
ʻâvôn
H5771
"iniquity"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Definition: : crime 1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity 1a) iniquity 1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition) 1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. See also: Genesis 4:13; Psalms 107:17; Psalms 18:24.
Study Notes — Leviticus 17:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 17:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 17:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 17:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 17:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 17:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 17:16
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 17:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 17:16
- Sermons on Leviticus 17:16
Context — Laws against Eating Blood
14For the life of all flesh is its blood. Therefore I have told the Israelites, ‘You must not eat the blood of any living thing, because the life of all flesh is its blood; whoever eats it must be cut off.’
15And any person, whether native or foreigner, who eats anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening; then he will be clean.
16But if he does not wash his clothes and bathe himself, then he shall bear his iniquity.”
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 5:1 | “If someone sins by failing to testify when he hears a public charge about something he has witnessed, whether he has seen it or learned of it, he shall bear the iniquity. |
| 2 | Numbers 19:19–20 | The man who is ceremonially clean is to sprinkle the unclean person on the third day and on the seventh day. After he purifies the unclean person on the seventh day, the one being cleansed must wash his clothes and bathe in water, and that evening he will be clean. But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he will be cut off from the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean. |
| 3 | Leviticus 7:18 | If any of the meat from his peace offering is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted. It will not be credited to the one who presented it; it shall be an abomination, and the one who eats of it shall bear his iniquity. |
| 4 | Leviticus 20:19–20 | You must not have sexual relations with the sister of your mother or your father, for it is exposing one’s own kin; both shall bear their iniquity. If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered the nakedness of his uncle. They will bear their sin; they shall die childless. |
| 5 | Leviticus 20:17 | If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity. |
| 6 | 1 Peter 2:24 | He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” |
| 7 | John 13:8 | “Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” |
| 8 | Leviticus 19:8 | Whoever eats it will bear his iniquity, for he has profaned what is holy to the LORD. That person must be cut off from his people. |
| 9 | Isaiah 53:11 | After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. |
| 10 | Hebrews 9:28 | so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him. |
Leviticus 17:16 Summary
This verse is saying that if someone eats something that has died on its own or been killed by another animal, they need to wash their clothes and take a bath to be clean again. If they don't, they will be held accountable for their disobedience. This is like when we do something wrong and don't ask for forgiveness - we need to make things right with God, as seen in 1 John 1:9. By obeying God's commands, we can stay clean and pure, just like Jesus wants us to be, as seen in Ephesians 5:26-27.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of washing clothes and bathing in Leviticus 17:16?
The act of washing clothes and bathing is a symbolic act of purification, as seen in other parts of the Bible, such as Exodus 19:10 and Leviticus 15:13, where cleansing is required to restore ritual purity.
What happens if someone does not follow this command in Leviticus 17:16?
If someone does not wash their clothes and bathe after eating something found dead or mauled by wild beasts, they will bear their iniquity, meaning they will be held accountable for their disobedience, as stated in Leviticus 17:16, and may face consequences, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:15.
How does this verse relate to the concept of sin and guilt in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands, and how disobedience can lead to sin and guilt, as seen in Psalm 51:2 and Romans 3:23, where sin is described as a state of rebellion against God's will.
Is this command still relevant for Christians today?
While the specific command in Leviticus 17:16 may not be directly applicable to Christians today, the underlying principle of obedience to God's will and the importance of spiritual purity are still relevant, as seen in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 2 Corinthians 7:1.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be 'eating something found dead or mauled by wild beasts', symbolically speaking, and how can I 'wash my clothes and bathe' to restore my spiritual purity?
- How does the concept of 'bearing my iniquity' impact my understanding of sin and guilt, and how can I apply this to my daily life?
- In what ways can I prioritize obedience to God's commands, even when they seem difficult or inconvenient, and how can I trust in His goodness and wisdom?
- How can I balance the need for spiritual purity with the reality of living in a fallen world, and how can I find strength and guidance in Scripture, such as in 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 10:22?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 17:16
But if he wash [them] not,.... Neither wash his clothes: nor bathe his flesh; if he is negligent, and does not take care to make use of these ablutions: then he shall bear his iniquity; his guilt
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 17:16
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
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 17:16
i.e. The punishment of it, and therefore must offer a sacrifice for it. ,2 7:18
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 17:16
Leviticus 17:16 But if he wash [them] not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.Ver. 16. Shall bear his iniquity,] i.e., The punishment of it: they are so near akin, that one name serves for both.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 17:16
(16) Then he shall bear his iniquity.—If he neglects these acts of purification, and enters the sanctuary in a defiled state, or partakes of the sacrificial meal, he is to incur the penalty of excision for the former act, and to be beaten with stripes for the latter, according to the interpretation given to this law in the time of Christ.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 17:16
16. See on Leviticus 19:26.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 17:16
16. He shall bear his iniquity — The punishment shall be visited. The same words, in the original, in Exodus 34:7, and Leviticus 10:17, (see note,) signify to bear away or expiate iniquity. See Numbers 9:13, note.
Sermons on Leviticus 17:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Authority in the Scriptures - Part 2 by Colin Anderson | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on various passages from the Bible, highlighting the fulfillment of God's word through Jesus. The preacher emphasizes Jesus' obedience and sil |
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The Proof of This Custom Only From the Talmuds. by John Gill | John Gill discusses the origins and evidence of the Jewish custom of receiving proselytes through baptism or dipping, emphasizing that this practice is primarily documented in the |
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The Reality of the Love of Jesus Christ by Corrie Ten Boom | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of preaching in Russia, where he was given the opportunity to bring greetings from America and Holland. He emphasizes the i |
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Do We Really Believe in Hell? by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of reaching out to the billions of people who have never heard the name of Jesus and are on their way to hell. He encourages l |
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It Is Finished by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the profound significance of Jesus' declaration 'It is finished' from John 19:30, asserting that these words encapsulate the culmination of Old Testame |
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The Greatest Story Ever Told by Oswald J. Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that salvation starts with God, not with man. God's love for the world led Him to give His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for |
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(Basics) 5. the Function of Conscience by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of conscience as God's greatest gift to humanity. He explains that conscience serves as a warning signal, much like pain in ou |