King James Version

What Does Leviticus 11:32 Mean?

Leviticus 11:32 in the King James Version says “And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, o... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed.

Leviticus 11:32 · KJV


Context

30

And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.

31

These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.

32

And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed.

33

And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth , whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.

34

Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed.

This verse falls within the section on Clean and Unclean Animals. Dietary laws distinguishing clean from unclean animals, teaching Israel holiness and separation from pagan practices.

Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
The access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Dietary laws distinguishing clean from unclean animals, teaching Israel holiness and separation from pagan practices. Chapters 11-15 address ritual purity, teaching Israel to distinguish clean from unclean. These laws served multiple purposes: promoting health, teaching spiritual lessons about sin's defilement, and separating Israel from pagan practices. Archaeological evidence shows Canaanite worship involved practices Israel's laws explicitly prohibited. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?
  3. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וְכֹ֣ל1 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר2 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִפֹּל3 of 28

doth fall

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עָלָיו֩4 of 28
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מֵהֶ֨ם׀5 of 28
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בְּמֹתָ֜ם6 of 28

And upon whatsoever any of them when they are dead

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

וְטָמֵ֥א7 of 28

and it shall be unclean

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

מִכָּל8 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כְּלִ֕י9 of 28

whatsoever vessel

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

עֵץ֙10 of 28

of wood

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

א֣וֹ11 of 28
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

בֶ֤גֶד12 of 28

or raiment

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

אוֹ13 of 28
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

עוֹר֙14 of 28

or skin

H5785

skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather

א֣וֹ15 of 28
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

שָׂ֔ק16 of 28

or sack

H8242

properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai

כָּל17 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כְּלִ֕י18 of 28

whatsoever vessel

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

אֲשֶׁר19 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֵֽעָשֶׂ֥ה20 of 28

is done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מְלָאכָ֖ה21 of 28

it be wherein any work

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

בָּהֶ֑ם22 of 28
H0
בַּמַּ֧יִם23 of 28

into water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

יוּבָ֛א24 of 28

it must be put

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְטָמֵ֥א25 of 28

and it shall be unclean

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

עַד26 of 28
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הָעֶ֖רֶב27 of 28

until the even

H6153

dusk

וְטָהֵֽר׃28 of 28

so it shall be cleansed

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 11:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 11:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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