Leviticus 15
Numbers 15 contains regulations for offerings to be observed after Israel enters the land, instructions concerning unintentional sins and defiant sins, the case of a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath, and the command to wear tassels. Coming after the judgment in Numbers 14, the chapter also signals that God still speaks about Israel’s future in the land.
1verseThe LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
2verse“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.
3verseThis 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“‘Every bed on which he who has the discharge lies shall be unclean; and everything he sits on shall be unclean.
5verseWhoever touches his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
6verseHe who sits on anything on which the man who has the discharge sat shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
7verse“‘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.
8verse“‘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“‘Whatever saddle he who has the discharge rides on shall be unclean.
10verseWhoever 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“‘Whomever 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“‘The earthen vessel, which he who has the discharge touches, shall be broken; and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.
13verse“‘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“‘On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and give them to the priest.
15verseThe 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 the LORD for his discharge.
16verse“‘If any man has an emission of semen, then he shall bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening.
17verseEvery garment and every skin which the semen is on shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the evening.
18verseIf 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“‘If a woman has a discharge, and her discharge in her flesh is blood, she shall be in her impurity seven days. Whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening.
20verse“‘Everything that she lies on in her impurity shall be unclean. Everything also that she sits on shall be unclean.
21verseWhoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
22verseWhoever touches anything that she sits on shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
23verseIf it is on the bed, or on anything she sits on, when he touches it, he shall be unclean until the evening.
24verse“‘If any man lies with her, and her monthly flow is on him, he shall be unclean seven days; and every bed he lies on shall be unclean.
25verse“‘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.
26verseEvery bed she lies on all the days of her discharge shall be to her as the bed of her period. Everything she sits on shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her period.
27verseWhoever touches these things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
28verse“‘But if she is cleansed of her discharge, then she shall count to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.
29verseOn 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.
30verseThe 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 the LORD for the uncleanness of her discharge.
31verse“‘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.’”
32verseThis is the law of him who has a discharge, and of him who has an emission of semen, so that he is unclean by it;
33verseand 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.
Sacrificial Regulations for Life in the Land (Verses 1–21)
God gives instructions for offerings that will be presented in the land, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, and offerings from the first of the dough. These regulations apply to both native Israelites and resident foreigners, emphasizing one standard for worship within the covenant community.
Atonement for Unintentional Sins (Verses 22–29)
This section explains how the community or an individual may receive atonement for sins committed unintentionally. The passage recognizes human failure while also providing a path of restoration through confession and the prescribed offering.
A Warning About Defiant Sin (Verses 30–36)
Defiant or “high-handed” sin is treated with great seriousness because it openly despises the word of the LORD. The case of the man gathering sticks on the Sabbath illustrates the gravity of knowingly violating a command in the covenant community. The focus is not ordinary failure, but deliberate contempt for God’s instruction.
The Tassels on Garments (Verses 37–41)
God commands the Israelites to make tassels on the corners of their garments with a blue cord. These tassels are to help them remember the LORD’s commandments and their identity as a people brought out of Egypt. The visible sign is meant to train memory, obedience, and holiness in daily life.
Meditation Points
- Notice that God speaks of future life in the land even after a serious failure.
- Reflect on the difference between unintentional failure and deliberate contempt for what is right.
- Consider what visible or repeated practices help you remember the truth you are called to live by.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Let your daily habits become reminders of what you believe and value.
- When you fail unintentionally, respond with honesty and restoration rather than denial.
- Guard your heart against deliberate hardening toward what you know to be right.
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