Bible Strands
Leviticus 11:24
These creatures will make you unclean. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The passage occurs within the Sinai covenant code delivered to Moses and the Israelites, immediately following the classification of detestable flying insects. It establishes ceremonial boundaries for the assembled community.
The words — The Hebrew verb תִטַּמָּאוּ (ti.ta.Ma.'u) means "you will make yourselves unclean," paired with נִבְלָתָם (niv.la.Ta/m), literally "their carcass." These terms specify that physical contact with the dead bodies of these creatures actively induces a state of ritual impurity.
The thread — The mechanism of carcass contact producing temporary defilement until evening appears in Leviticus 11:25, 11:27, and 11:31. Leviticus 11:8 prohibits touching their carcasses entirely but does not specify the temporary defilement timeline found in the other verses.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that physical proximity to dead creatures of this class mandates immediate separation and a defined waiting period before ritual reinstatement. It establishes a concrete boundary between clean and unclean states that the community must actively observe.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 11:8 You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.
- Leviticus 11:27 All the four-footed animals that walk on their paws are unclean for you; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening,
- 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.
- Leviticus 11:38 but if water has been put on the seed and a carcass falls on it, it is unclean for you.
- Leviticus 17:15 And any person, whether native or foreigner, who eats anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening; then he will be clean.
- Isaiah 22:14 The LORD of Hosts has revealed in my hearing: “Until your dying day, this sin of yours will never be atoned for,” says the Lord GOD of Hosts.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
- Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
- Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.