Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Yahweh speaks through Moses to the assembled Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, establishing ritual boundaries for the community. The directive addresses all Israelites regarding the handling and consumption of naturally dead animals.
The words — The Hebrew noun נִבְלָתָהּ (nivlatah) refers specifically to a naturally dead carcass, and the verb טָמֵא (taMe) denotes a state of ritual impurity. These terms link physical contact with death to a defined period of ceremonial defilement.
The thread — This prohibition recurs in Leviticus 22:8 and Ezekiel 44:31, which forbid priests from eating carrion, and Deuteronomy 14:21, which allows the carcass to be given to a foreigner. The repeated formulation across these passages maintains a consistent standard for ritual cleanliness.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate washing of garments and imposes uncleanness until evening for anyone who eats or lifts a carcass. It requires practical compliance with separation protocols before the individual may re-enter communal or worship settings.
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 he that eateth of the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 22:8 He must not eat anything found dead or torn by wild animals, which would make him unclean. I am the LORD.
- Ezekiel 44:31 The priests may not eat any bird or animal found dead or torn by wild beasts.
- Deuteronomy 14:21 You are not to eat any carcass; you may give it to the foreigner residing within your gates, and he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner. For you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.
- Exodus 22:31 You are to be My holy people. You must not eat the meat of a mauled animal found in the field; you are to throw it to the dogs.
- Ezekiel 4:14 “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”
- Leviticus 11:25 and whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening.
- 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.
- Leviticus 14:8 The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be ceremonially clean. Afterward, he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent for seven days.
- Leviticus 15:5 Anyone who touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.
- Leviticus 15:27 Anyone who touches these things will be unclean; he must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.