King James Version

What Does Leviticus 15:27 Mean?

Leviticus 15:27 in the King James Version says “And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unc...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.”

Leviticus 15:27 · KJV

Context

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.

29

And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Read Leviticus 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself 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. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?
  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 · 11 words
וְכָל1 of 11
H3605

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

הַנּוֹגֵ֥עַ2 of 11

“And whosoever toucheth”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

בָּ֖ם3 of 11
H0
וְטָמֵ֥א4 of 11

“and be unclean”

H2930

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

וְכִבֶּ֧ס5 of 11

“and shall wash”

H3526

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

בְּגָדָ֛יו6 of 11

“his clothes”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְרָחַ֥ץ7 of 11

“and bathe”

H7364

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

בַּמַּ֖יִם8 of 11

“himself in water”

H4325

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

וְטָמֵ֥א9 of 11

“and be unclean”

H2930

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

עַד10 of 11
H5704

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

הָעָֽרֶב׃11 of 11

“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 15:27 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 15:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 36:25Ezekiel 36:29Hebrews 9:14Leviticus 15:5-8Hebrews 10:221 Peter 1:18-19

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