Reference

Leviticus 15:21

Symbolic / Spiritual Interpretation Pre-Law Clean/Unclean Distinction

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

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.

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

And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

And if it be on her bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even.

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Symbolic / Spiritual Interpretation

The primary context of Leviticus 15 is ritual impurity related to bodily discharges, not symbolic spiritual purity. The washing and bathing are concrete actions to remove ritual defilement, not metaphorical acts for inner cleansing. The "unclean until the even" refers to a temporary state of ritual separation, not a spiritual failing. While one could draw spiritual parallels, the verse itself is firmly rooted in the literal, ritualistic understanding of clean and unclean.

Pre-Law Clean/Unclean Distinction

This verse is found within the book of Leviticus, which details the Mosaic Law given at Sinai, and therefore describes a clean/unclean distinction *within* the Law, not prior to it.

Symbolic / Spiritual Interpretation

Related Verses

Leviticus 15:5

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

Leviticus 15:22

“And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.”

Leviticus 15:27

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

Leviticus 15:10

“And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.”

Leviticus 15:7

“And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.”

Thematic Connections

Symbolic / Spiritual Interpretation Pre-Law Clean/Unclean Distinction

Private Study Note

Add your own reflections or cross-references for this verse.