Bible Strands
Leviticus 15:13
When the man has been cleansed from his discharge, he must count off seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe himself in fresh water, and he shall be clean.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text addresses a man who has ceased a bodily discharge, instructing him on the procedural steps required before he may be declared ritually clean. This directive occurs within a broader legal code detailing purification rites for bodily emissions.
The words — The Hebrew verb יִטְהַר (yitḥar) means "he will be pure," marking the formal transition from impurity to clean status. The phrase וְסָפַר שִׁבְעַת יָמִים (ve-sāpār šibʿat yāmîm) literally commands "and he will count seven days" to complete his purification period.
The thread — This seven-day purification sequence parallels the seven-day ordination period in Leviticus 8:33 and echoes the washing and bathing requirements for ritual cleansing in Leviticus 14:8. The subsequent sacrifice on the eighth day in Leviticus 15:14 completes the cycle initiated here.
Why it lands — The verse establishes a fixed, observable timeline for restoring ritual status, requiring deliberate counting, washing, and bathing before reentry into community worship. It demands obedience to a structured process rather than immediate restoration.
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 when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 8:33 You must not go outside the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are complete; for it will take seven days to ordain 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 15:28 When a woman is cleansed of her discharge, she must count off seven days, and after that she will be ceremonially clean.
- Exodus 29:35 This is what you are to do for Aaron and his sons based on all that I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them.
- Exodus 29:37 For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will become most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy.
- Leviticus 9:1 On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel.
- Leviticus 14:10 On the eighth day he is to bring two unblemished male lambs, an unblemished ewe lamb a year old, a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with olive oil, and one log of olive oil.
- Leviticus 15:10 Whoever touches anything that was under him will be unclean until evening, and whoever carries such things must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.
- Numbers 12:14 But the LORD answered Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp for seven days; after that she may be brought back in.”