King James Version

What Does Leviticus 15:18 Mean?

Leviticus 15:18 in the King James Version says “The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclea...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.”

Leviticus 15:18 · KJV

Context

16

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 lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.

19

And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. put: Heb. in her separation

20

And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.

Read Leviticus 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.

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.
What Leviticus portrayed through types and shadows, Christ fulfilled in reality through His incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.

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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. 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. How can you use this verse to worship God more fully, obey Him more faithfully, or love others more sacrificially?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְאִשָּׁ֕ה1 of 12

“The woman”

H802

a woman

אֲשֶׁ֨ר2 of 12
H834

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

יִשְׁכַּ֥ב3 of 12

“shall lie”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

אִ֛ישׁ4 of 12

“also with whom man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֹתָ֖הּ5 of 12
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

שִׁכְבַת6 of 12

“of copulation”

H7902

a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act)

זָ֑רַע7 of 12

“with seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

וְרָֽחֲצ֣וּ8 of 12

“they shall both bathe”

H7364

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

בַמַּ֔יִם9 of 12

“themselves in water”

H4325

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

וְטָֽמְא֖וּ10 of 12

“and be unclean”

H2930

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

עַד11 of 12
H5704

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

הָעָֽרֶב׃12 of 12

“until the even”

H6153

dusk

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 15:18 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 15:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 15:5Hebrews 13:4Exodus 19:151 Samuel 21:4-51 Peter 2:112 Timothy 2:22

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