King James Version

What Does Leviticus 15:13 Mean?

Leviticus 15:13 in the King James Version says “And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, a...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Leviticus 15:13 · KJV

Context

11

And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed 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 rinsed 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 turtledoves, 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.

Read Leviticus 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse falls within the section on Bodily Discharges. Laws concerning various bodily discharges, emphasizing that approaching God's holy presence requires ritual purity.

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 holiness demanded in Leviticus becomes possible through Christ, who both satisfies God's righteous requirements and transforms believers by His Spirit.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Laws concerning various bodily discharges, emphasizing that approaching God's holy presence requires ritual purity. 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. Ancient texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways does this verse deepen your appreciation for Christ's atoning sacrifice and the seriousness of sin?
  2. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  3. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְכִֽי1 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וְטָהֵֽר׃2 of 16

“and shall be clean”

H2891

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

הַזָּב֙3 of 16

“And when he that hath an issue”

H2100

to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow

מִזּוֹב֔וֹ4 of 16

“of his issue”

H2101

a seminal or menstrual flux

וְסָ֨פַר5 of 16

“then he shall number”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

ל֜וֹ6 of 16
H0
שִׁבְעַ֥ת7 of 16

“to himself seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

יָמִ֛ים8 of 16

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לְטָֽהֳרָת֖וֹ9 of 16

“for his cleansing”

H2893

ceremonial purification; moral purity

וְכִבֶּ֣ס10 of 16

“and wash”

H3526

to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative

בְּגָדָ֑יו11 of 16

“his clothes”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְרָחַ֧ץ12 of 16

“and bathe”

H7364

to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)

בְּשָׂר֛וֹ13 of 16

“his flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

בְּמַ֥יִם14 of 16

“water”

H4325

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

חַיִּ֖ים15 of 16

“in running”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וְטָהֵֽר׃16 of 16

“and shall be clean”

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 15:13 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 15:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 14:8Leviticus 8:33Leviticus 15:28Leviticus 15:5Numbers 12:14Exodus 29:37

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Leviticus 15 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLeviticus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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