Leviticus 15

Leviticus 15:1-7

Laws concerning ceremonial uncleanings contracted by bodily diseases, or some natural incidents, and this either, 1. in turn, vers. 1-18. Or, 2. In women, vers. 19-33. We need not be at all curious in explaining their anticipated issues; it is enough if not objective their general design; but we have need to be very cautious. I’ll

for

for take occasion by the commandment to become more exceeding forful; and exceeding forful it is, when last is kindled as sparks of fire from God’s altar. The only is bad with the soul when it is patrolled by that which should purify it.

1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses, and to Aaron, saying, 2. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, ‘When any man hath a + running issue out of his flesh, because of his issue he is unclean. 3. And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue: it is his uncleanness. 4. Every bed whereon he lieth that hath the issue is unclean: and every + thing whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean. 5. And whosoever toucheth his bed, shall wash his clothes, and ‘bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 6. And he that sitteth on any thing whereon he sat that hath the issue, shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 7. And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue, shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 8. And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 9. And what saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue, shall be unclean. 10. And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him, shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those things, shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 11. And whosoever be toucheth that hath the issue (and hath not raised his hands in water) he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 12. And the vessel of earth that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be raised in water. 13. 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 bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean. 14. And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turels-stews, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest. 15. 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.

The euphemism of the scripture is beautiful, and to be imitated. Even when it speaks of evil things, it is in such a way as to avoid exciting evil ideas.

The handsome disease here mentioned is usually the consequence and punishment of impurity, leaving a rotten carcass, and a guilty conscience. It rendered a man incapable of appearing at the sanctuary, it made him shunned by every body around him, and whatever he touched was unclean. When he was healed he washed, and after seven days waiting gave full confirmation of his cure, he might bring his sacrifice. Note, (1.) Though the servants of their lusts may count it a light affair to be cut off from the congregation of the Lord, where they seldom care to appear, they will find it a terrible thing to be cut off from it in eternity. (2.) Nothing was more dangerously against the soul than fleshly lusts. (3.) The company of such persons are more to be avoided than of him that hath the plague. (4.) Yet the vilett need not despair; when he returns to the blood of Jesus, there is hope in his end.

1. Out. viii.

2. And ‘if any man’s seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even. 17. And every garment and every skin whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even. 18. The woman also with whom man shall be with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 15:16-18

Even what may be involuntary in sleep is not without ceremonial defilement; and usually moral guilt is involved therein, from impure imaginations before entertained. For, 18, seems not to relate to the use of the marriage-bed, but to a person diseased as above-described.

2. Chap. vii. 3. Heb. 1a for separati-

3. ¶ And ‘if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be + put apart seven days: Vol. I.

and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. 20. And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation, shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon, shall be unclean. 21. And whosoever toucheth her bed, shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 22. And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon, shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 23. And if it be on her bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it; he shall be unclean until the even. 24. And ‘if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth, shall be unclean. 25. And ‘if a woman have an issue of her blood many days, out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean. 26. Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue, shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whosoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation. 27. And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 28. But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. 29. And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turels, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 30. And the priest shall offer the one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD, for the issue of her uncleanness. 31. 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 among them. 32. This is the law of him that hath an issue, and of him whose seed goeth from him, and is defiled therewith: 33. And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her which is unclean.

Leviticus 15:19-33

The same uncleanness and its effects were occasioned by the issues of women, whether natural, or diseased, and to be atoned for in the same way. It was death thus to approach the sanctuary. And hereby veneration and awe was kept up in their minds for the tabernacle, and more for that holy God who dwelt in it; if even natural or involuntary infirmities were offensive, how much had they need fear to provoke his holiness by wilful impurities? Though these ordinances have ceased with the worldly sanctuary, the use of them is permanent. To warn us of the defining nature of sin, to engage us to keep the body as well as the soul pure for the Lord; and thus to be always ready to appear before him, whether in his tabernacle on earth, or before his throne in heaven.