King James Version

What Does Leviticus 15:26 Mean?

Leviticus 15:26 in the King James Version says “Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation.

Leviticus 15:26 · KJV


Context

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 whatsoever 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation.

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.

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 sacrificial texts from cultures surrounding Israel demonstrate the widespread practice of animal sacrifice, but Israel's system uniquely emphasized moral atonement over magical efficacy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?
  3. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כָּל1 of 21
H3605

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

כְּמִשְׁכַּ֥ב2 of 21

Every bed

H4904

a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse

אֲשֶׁר3 of 21
H834

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

תִּשְׁכַּ֤ב4 of 21

whereon she lieth

H7901

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

עָלָיו֙5 of 21
H5921

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

כָּל6 of 21
H3605

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

יְמֵ֣י7 of 21

all the 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

זוֹבָ֔הּ8 of 21

of her issue

H2101

a seminal or menstrual flux

כְּמִשְׁכַּ֥ב9 of 21

Every bed

H4904

a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse

נִדָּתָֽהּ׃10 of 21

of her separation

H5079

properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)

יִֽהְיֶה11 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָּ֑הּ12 of 21
H0
וְכָֽל13 of 21
H3605

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

הַכְּלִי֙14 of 21

and whatsoever

H3627

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 21
H834

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

תֵּשֵׁ֣ב16 of 21

she sitteth

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

עָלָ֔יו17 of 21
H5921

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

טָמֵ֣א18 of 21

upon shall be unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense

יִֽהְיֶ֔ה19 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְּטֻמְאַ֖ת20 of 21

as the uncleanness

H2932

religious impurity

נִדָּתָֽהּ׃21 of 21

of her separation

H5079

properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)


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 15:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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