Leviticus 15:18
Leviticus 15:18 in Multiple Translations
If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water, and they will remain unclean until evening.
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.
The woman also with whom a man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.
And if a man has sex relations with a woman and his seed goes out from him, the two of them will have to be bathed in water and will be unclean till evening.
If a man sleeps with a woman and there is a release of semen, both of them must wash with water, and they will remain unclean until the evening.
If he that hath an issue of seede, do lie with a woman, they shall both wash themselues with water, and be vncleane vntill the euen.
'And a woman with whom a man lieth with seed of copulation, they also have bathed with water, and been unclean till the evening.
If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the evening.
The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the evening.
The woman, with whom he copulateth, shall be washed with water, and shall be unclean until the evening.
When a man has sex with a woman and some semen spills, both of them must bathe, and no one should touch them until that evening.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 15:18
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 15:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אִשָּׁ֕ה
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
יִשְׁכַּ֥ב
אִ֛ישׁ
אֹתָ֖/הּ
שִׁכְבַת
זָ֑רַע
וְ/רָחֲצ֣וּ
בַ/מַּ֔יִם
וְ/טָמְא֖וּ
עַד
הָ/עָֽרֶב
וְ/אִשָּׁ֕ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Conj | N-fs
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
יִשְׁכַּ֥ב
shâkab
H7901
to lie down
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
אִ֛ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
אֹתָ֖/הּ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
שִׁכְבַת
shᵉkâbâh
H7902
semen
N-fs
זָ֑רַע
zeraʻ
H2233
seed
N-ms
וְ/רָחֲצ֣וּ
râchats
H7364
to wash
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
בַ/מַּ֔יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Prep | N-mp
וְ/טָמְא֖וּ
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
to defile
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
הָ/עָֽרֶב
ʻereb
H6153
evening
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 15:18
וְ/אִשָּׁ֕ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Conj | N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
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.
יִשְׁכַּ֥ב
shâkab
H7901
"to lie down"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To lie down can mean to rest, sleep, or have sexual relations, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible. It can also mean to relax or be at rest.
Definition: : lay_down/lie_with 1) to lie down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on 1a2) to lodge 1a3) to lie (of sexual relations) 1a4) to lie down (in death) 1a5) to rest, relax (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually) 1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually) 1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down 1e) (Hophal) to be laid
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, cast down, (lover-)lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay. See also: Genesis 19:4; 1 Kings 11:43; Psalms 3:6.
אִ֛ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אֹתָ֖/הּ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שִׁכְבַת
shᵉkâbâh
H7902
"semen"
N-fs
Semen refers to the seed or layer of something, and can also describe the act of lying down for sexual relations. It is used in the Bible to describe human intimacy.
Definition: 1) act of lying, layer, coating 1a) act of lying (of sexual relations) 1b) layer
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, copulation, [idiom] lay, seed. See also: Exodus 16:13; Leviticus 15:18; Numbers 5:13.
זָ֑רַע
zeraʻ
H2233
"seed"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.
Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.
וְ/רָחֲצ֣וּ
râchats
H7364
"to wash"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
The Hebrew word for washing or bathing, used in Exodus 30:19 where priests had to wash their hands and feet before entering the temple. It means to clean or purify oneself, as seen in 2 Kings 5:10 where Elisha tells Naaman to wash in the Jordan River.
Definition: : wash 1) to wash, wash off, wash away, bathe 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wash, wash off, wash away 1a2) to wash, bathe (oneself) 1b) (Pual) to be washed 1c) (Hithpael) to wash oneself 2a) (Hithpael Passive) to be regarded clean, trustworthy
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: bathe (self), wash (self). See also: Genesis 18:4; Leviticus 16:4; Psalms 26:6.
בַ/מַּ֔יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Prep | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
וְ/טָמְא֖וּ
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
"to defile"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
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 15:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 15:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 15:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 15:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 15:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 15:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 15:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 15:18
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 15:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 15:18
- Sermons on Leviticus 15:18
Context — The Cleansing of Men
16When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his whole body with water, and he will be unclean until evening.
17Any clothing or leather on which there is an emission of semen must be washed with water, and it will remain unclean until evening.
18If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water, and they will remain unclean until evening.
19When a woman has a discharge consisting of blood from her body, she will be unclean due to her menstruation for seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean until evening. 20Anything on which she lies or sits during her menstruation will be unclean,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 15:5 | Anyone who touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. |
| 2 | 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 | For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God; |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 6:12 | “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. |
| 4 | Psalms 51:5 | Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. |
| 5 | 1 Peter 2:11 | Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 21:4–5 | “There is no common bread on hand,” the priest replied, “but there is some consecrated bread—provided that the young men have kept themselves from women.” David answered, “Women have indeed been kept from us, as is usual when I set out. And the equipment of the young men is holy, as it is even on common missions, and all the more at this time.” |
| 7 | Exodus 19:15 | “Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.” |
| 8 | Ephesians 4:17–19 | So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more. |
| 9 | 2 Timothy 2:22 | Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. |
| 10 | Ephesians 5:3–11 | But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Test and prove what pleases the Lord. Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. |
Leviticus 15:18 Summary
This verse is talking about a specific rule that the Israelites had to follow when a man and woman had sex and there was an emission of semen. They both had to take a bath and were considered unclean until the evening, as stated in Leviticus 15:18. This was a way of teaching them about the importance of purity and separation from the world, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45. It's not saying that sex is bad or sinful, but rather it was a ceremonial law to help them understand the value of being pure and holy, as taught in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites have to bathe after an emission of semen?
The Israelites had to bathe after an emission of semen because it made them unclean, as stated in Leviticus 15:16-18, and they needed to purify themselves before approaching God, as seen in Exodus 19:10-15 and Exodus 30:18-21.
What is the significance of being unclean until evening?
Being unclean until evening meant that the person was not allowed to participate in worship or other sacred activities, as they were considered impure, and this was a way of teaching the Israelites about the importance of purity and holiness, as stated in Leviticus 11:44-45.
Does this verse imply that sex is unclean or sinful?
No, this verse does not imply that sex is unclean or sinful, but rather it was a ceremonial law to teach the Israelites about the importance of purity and separation from the world, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, where it is clear that sex within marriage is a beautiful and pure thing.
How does this verse relate to the New Testament teaching on purity?
This verse relates to the New Testament teaching on purity, as seen in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, where it is clear that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we should strive to keep them pure and holy, but now we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us, as stated in Romans 8:13-14.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of purity in our relationship with God?
- How can I apply the principle of purity in my own life, in areas such as my thought life, my relationships, and my actions?
- What are some ways that I can keep my body and mind pure, as temples of the Holy Spirit, as taught in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20?
- How does this verse relate to the broader theme of holiness in the Bible, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45 and 1 Peter 1:15-16?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 15:18
The woman also with whom man shall lie [with] seed of copulation,.... It seems to respect any congress of a man and woman, whether in fornication or adultery, or lawful marriage, and particularly the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 15:18
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. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 15:18
Man, or, the man, to wit, that had such an issue, which is plainly to be understood out, of the whole context. For though in some special cases, relating to the worship of God, men were to forbear the use of the marriage-bed, as ; yet to affirm that the use of it in other cases did generally defile the persons, and make them unclean till even, is contrary to the whole current of Scripture, which affirms the marriage-bed to be undefiled, , to the practice of the Jews, which is a good comment upon their own laws, and to the light of nature and reason.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 15:18
Leviticus 15:18 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.Ver. 18. With seed of copulation.] Though lawful in itself, as being the ordinance of God. Sin is like copperas, which will turn wine or milk into ink; or leaven, which turns a very passover into pollution. A name given from early times to the protosulphates of copper, iron, and zinc (distinguished as blue, green, and white copperas respectively); etymologically it belonged properly to the copper salt; but in English use, when undistinguished by attribute or context, it has always been most commonly, and is now exclusively, applied to green copperas, the proto-sulphate of iron or ferrous sulphate (Fe Son 4:1-16), also called green vitriol, used in dyeing, tanning, and making ink.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 15:18
(18) The woman also with whom man shall lie.—Better, And if a man lie with a woman, that is, even when what is specified in Leviticus 15:16 takes place in intercourse between man and woman lawfully married, it pollutes both the husband and the wife. They have accordingly both to immerse their whole bodies, and remain unclean till sundown, and were debarred from the privileges of the sanctuary during that day. Hence abstinence from conjugal intercourse was regarded as a necessary preparation for the performance of sacred duties. He who had approached his wife could not draw nigh to God (Exodus 19:15), and was not allowed to partake of sacred meals. (Comp. 1 Samuel 21:5-6.) The law of pollution was not designed to put a check upon marriage, since matrimony is a Divine institution (Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:21-25), but it is intended to prevent husband and wife from making an immoderate use of their conjugal life, and thus to preserve them in health and vigour by prescribing such constant purifications after it. This is probably the reason why other nations of antiquity enacted similar laws. Thus the Hindoos and the Babylonians bathed after conjugal intercourse. The Egyptian priests abstained from it when they had to perform sacred duties, and the laity were not allowed to enter the precincts of the Temple unless they submitted to ablutions. Mahommed, for the same reason, enjoins lustrations upon all the faithful before reciting their prayers.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 15:18
Verse 18. They shall both bathe themselves] What a wonderful tendency had these ordinances to prevent all excesses! The pains which such persons must take, the separations which they must observe, and the privations which, in consequence, they must be exposed to in the way of commerce, traffic, &c., would prevent them from making an unlawful use of lawful things.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 15:18
18. As unclean they could not take part in the service of the sanctuary. Similar limitations are found Exodus 19:15; 1 Samuel 21:5 f.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 15:18
18. They shall both bathe — There are two opinions respecting this verse.
Sermons on Leviticus 15:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Deeper Waters - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the profound depth of the Gospel of John, particularly focusing on the themes of sanctification and the nature of Jesus as both divine and human. He ar |
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Freedom From Masterbation and Sensuality by Tim Conway | This sermon emphasizes the need to flee from sin, particularly addressing the issue of justifying masturbation as not a sin. It highlights the importance of seeking biblical guidan |
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What Guys Think About Modesty by c.j. Mahaney by Compilations | This sermon addresses the daily battle against sin and temptation faced by men, emphasizing the need for women to understand and support their struggle for purity. It highlights th |
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What Is Adultery? by Voddie Baucham | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the tension between the already and not yet aspects of the kingdom of God. He emphasizes that Jesus has already achieved victory on the cross, |
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06 Purity in Sexual Matters by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the heart of God when reading the Bible, highlighting the longing and grief God expresses for His people to follow His comman |
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Sanctification: 1. a Pure Spirit by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the significance of sanctification, particularly the need for a pure spirit in our relationship with God. He highlights that true worship must come from the s |
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Deliverance From Specific Bondages (Part 2) by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher warns against engaging in moral bondages, specifically fornication. He references 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, which emphasizes the importance of abstaining |