Leviticus 11:39
Leviticus 11:39 in Multiple Translations
If an animal that you may eat dies, anyone who touches the carcass will be unclean until evening.
And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.
And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcass thereof shall be unclean until the even.
And if any beast which may be used for food comes to a natural death, anyone touching its dead body will be unclean till evening.
If an animal that you are allowed to eat dies, anyone who touches the dead body will be unclean until the evening.
If also any beast, whereof ye may eate, die, he that toucheth the carkeis thereof shall be vncleane vntil the euen.
'And when any of the beasts which are to you for food dieth, he who is coming against its carcase is unclean till the evening;
“‘If any animal of which you may eat dies, he who touches its carcass shall be unclean until the evening.
And if any beast, of which ye may eat, shall die; he that toucheth its carcass shall be unclean until the evening.
If any beast die, of which it is lawful for you to eat, he that toucheth the carcass thereof, shall be unclean until the evening:
‘If an animal whose meat you are permitted to eat dies, anyone who touches its carcass must not touch other people until that evening.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 11:39
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 11:39 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/כִ֤י
יָמוּת֙
מִן
הַ/בְּהֵמָ֔ה
אֲשֶׁר
הִ֥יא
לָ/כֶ֖ם
לְ/אָכְלָ֑ה
הַ/נֹּגֵ֥עַ
בְּ/נִבְלָתָ֖/הּ
יִטְמָ֥א
עַד
הָ/עָֽרֶב
וְ/כִ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj | Conj
יָמוּת֙
mûwth
H4191
to die
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הַ/בְּהֵמָ֔ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
Art | N-fs
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
הִ֥יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
לָ/כֶ֖ם
Prep | Suff
לְ/אָכְלָ֑ה
ʼoklâh
H402
food
Prep | N-fs
הַ/נֹּגֵ֥עַ
nâgaʻ
H5060
to touch
Art | V-Qal
בְּ/נִבְלָתָ֖/הּ
nᵉbêlâh
H5038
carcass
Prep | N-fs | Suff
יִטְמָ֥א
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
to defile
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
הָ/עָֽרֶב
ʻereb
H6153
evening
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 11:39
וְ/כִ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj | Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יָמוּת֙
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/בְּהֵמָ֔ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
Art | N-fs
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
הִ֥יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
לָ/כֶ֖ם
""
Prep | Suff
לְ/אָכְלָ֑ה
ʼoklâh
H402
"food"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means food or something to eat, like in Psalm 78:25 where it describes manna from heaven. It can also mean being consumed by something, like fire or wild beasts. This word is used in many Old Testament stories.
Definition: 1) food 1a) food, eating 1b) object of devouring, consuming 1b1) by wild beasts (figurative) 1b2) in fire 1b3) of judgment (figurative)
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: consume, devour, eat, food, meat. See also: Genesis 1:29; Ezekiel 15:6; Jeremiah 12:9.
הַ/נֹּגֵ֥עַ
nâgaʻ
H5060
"to touch"
Art | V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to touch or reach something, and can also mean to strike or defeat someone. It is used in Exodus to describe God's power and in Psalms to describe human emotions. The word has various translations, including beat, bring, and plague.
Definition: 1) to touch, reach, strike 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to touch 1a2) to strike 1a3) to reach, extend to 1a4) to be stricken 1a4a) stricken (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be defeated 1c) (Piel) to strike 1d) (Pual) to be stricken (by disease) 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to touch, reach, approach, arrive 1e1) to cause to touch, apply 1e2) to reach, extend, attain, arrive, come 1e3) to approach (of time) 1e4) to befall (of fate)
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch. See also: Genesis 3:3; 2 Chronicles 3:12; Psalms 32:6.
בְּ/נִבְלָתָ֖/הּ
nᵉbêlâh
H5038
"carcass"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a dead body or carcass, whether human or animal, often translated as 'dead body' or 'carcass'. It can also symbolize an idol.
Definition: 1) carcass, corpse 1a) of humans, idols, animals
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: (dead) body, (dead) carcase, dead of itself, which died, (beast) that (which) dieth of itself. See also: Leviticus 5:2; Joshua 8:29; Psalms 79:2.
יִטְמָ֥א
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
"to defile"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to be foul or contaminated, often in a moral or ceremonial sense. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is unclean or polluted. In the book of Leviticus, it talks about being unclean and how to become clean again.
Definition: 1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure 1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean 1a1) sexually 1a2) religiously 1a3) ceremonially 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled 1b1a) sexually 1b1b) by idolatry 1b1c) ceremonially 1b2) to be regarded as unclean 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to defile 1c1a) sexually 1c1b) religiously 1c1c) ceremonially 1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially) 1c3) to profane (God's name) 1d) (Pual) to be defiled 1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean 1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:5; Leviticus 22:5; Psalms 79:1.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
הָ/עָֽרֶב
ʻereb
H6153
"evening"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means evening or sunset, like when God created daylight and darkness in Genesis. It refers to the time of day, often marking the end of a workday. This word is used in many verses, including Exodus and Psalms.
Definition: 1) evening, night, sunset 1a) evening, sunset 1b) night
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] day, even(-ing, tide), night. See also: Genesis 1:5; Numbers 19:19; Psalms 30:6.
Study Notes — Leviticus 11:39
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 11:39 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 11:39
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 11:39
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 11:39
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 11:39
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 11:39
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 11:39
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 11:39
- Sermons on Leviticus 11:39
Context — Clean and Unclean Animals
37If a carcass falls on any seed for sowing, the seed is clean;
38but if water has been put on the seed and a carcass falls on it, it is unclean for you.
39If an animal that you may eat dies, anyone who touches the carcass will be unclean until evening.
40Whoever eats from the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening, and anyone who picks up the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening. 41Every creature that moves along the ground is detestable; it must not be eaten.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 11:40 | Whoever eats from the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening, and anyone who picks up the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening. |
| 2 | Leviticus 11:24 | These creatures will make you unclean. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening, |
| 3 | Leviticus 15:7 | Whoever touches the body of the man with a discharge must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. |
| 4 | Leviticus 11:31 | These animals are unclean for you among all the crawling creatures. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until evening. |
| 5 | Leviticus 11:28 | and anyone who picks up a carcass must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening. They are unclean for you. |
| 6 | Leviticus 15:5 | Anyone who touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. |
| 7 | Numbers 19:11 | Whoever touches any dead body will be unclean for seven days. |
| 8 | Numbers 19:16 | Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days. |
Leviticus 11:39 Summary
This verse, Leviticus 11:39, teaches that if an animal that is allowed to be eaten dies, anyone who touches its dead body will become unclean until the evening. This means they cannot participate in worship or be with others until they have washed and the day is over, similar to the rules in Numbers 19:11-22. It's a reminder that God wants His people to be careful about what they touch and do, and to be separate from things that are unclean, as also seen in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. By following these rules, we can learn to respect God's boundaries and pursue holiness in our daily lives, as encouraged in 1 Peter 1:15-16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does touching a dead animal make someone unclean?
According to Leviticus 11:39, touching a dead animal that was permissible to eat makes a person unclean until evening, as it is considered a source of defilement, similar to what is described in Leviticus 11:8 and Deuteronomy 14:8.
What is the significance of being unclean until evening?
Being unclean until evening, as stated in Leviticus 11:39, signifies a temporary period of ritual impurity, during which the person is separated from worship and community activities, as seen in Leviticus 15:5 and Numbers 19:7-10.
Does this verse apply to animals that are not permissible to eat?
Leviticus 11:39 specifically mentions animals that you may eat, implying that the rules for uncleanness may be different for animals that are not permissible to eat, as outlined in Leviticus 11:1-47 and Deuteronomy 14:3-21.
How does this verse relate to spiritual cleanliness?
While Leviticus 11:39 focuses on ritual cleanliness, it also points to the broader theme of spiritual cleanliness, as emphasized in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 2 Corinthians 7:1, where believers are called to separate themselves from defilement and pursue holiness.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can apply the principle of separating myself from defilement in my daily life, as hinted at in Leviticus 11:39?
- How can I balance the need for ritual cleanliness with the command to love and serve others, as seen in Mark 7:1-23 and Luke 11:37-41?
- In what ways can I use the concept of temporary uncleanness to reflect on my own spiritual condition and need for cleansing, as described in 1 John 1:9 and Psalm 51:2-10?
- What does this verse reveal about God's desire for His people to be distinct and separate from the world, as also seen in Leviticus 20:26 and 2 Corinthians 6:17-18?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 11:39
And if any beast of which ye may eat die,.... Any clean beast, as the ox, sheep, goat, deer, c.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 11:39
And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even. If any beast of which ye may eat die.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 11:39
If any beast die; either of itself, or being killed by some wild beast, in which cases the blood was not poured forth, as it was when they were killed by men either for food or sacrifice.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 11:39
Leviticus 11:39 And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.Ver. 39. Of which ye may.] Compare Psalms 49:12, pecoribus morticinis. - Tremel.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 11:39
(39) And if any beast.—That is, a clean animal, which is both bisulcous and ruminant, but which has not been properly slaughtered, having died from any disease or accident. During the second Temple, the law here enacted was restricted to quadrupeds, domestic or wild, but was not applicable to birds and fishes. He that toucheth the carcase.—The carcase, in this case, is to be regarded as the dead body of an unclean animal (see Leviticus 11:24-28), and defiles by contact. (See also Leviticus 17:15.) This, however, only applies to the flesh of the quadruped. The skin, the bones, the sinews, the horns, and the claws are clean, the sacred Scriptures even being written on the prepared skins; and the horns used for the trumpets or horns of the sanctuary, according to the canons of the Pharisees, whilst the Samaritans and the Sadducees regarded them as polluting.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 11:39
39. The carcase even of a clean beast causes uncleanness.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 11:39
39. If any beast… die — The prohibition of the flesh of clean animals which have died is founded on sanitary grounds. When the blood is not drawn from the veins the flesh becomes corrupt and poisonous.
Sermons on Leviticus 11:39
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Washing of the Word - From the Episode of Moses Striking the Rock by Art Katz | Art Katz emphasizes the significance of being cleansed by the 'washing of the Word' through the biblical account of Moses striking the rock. He draws parallels between the Old Test |