New International Version“’When a man is cleansed from his discharge, he is to count off seven days for his ceremonial cleansing; he must wash his clothes and bathe himself with fresh water, and he will be clean.
New Living Translation“When the man with the discharge is healed, he must count off seven days for the period of purification. Then he must wash his clothes and bathe himself in fresh water, and he will be ceremonially clean.
English Standard Version“And when the one with a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count for himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes. And he shall bathe his body in fresh water and shall be clean.
Berean Standard BibleWhen 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.
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James Version‘And when he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count for himself seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe his body in running water; then he shall be clean.
New American Standard Bible‘Now when the man with the discharge becomes cleansed from his discharge, then he shall count off for himself seven days for his cleansing; he shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in running water and will become clean.
NASB 1995‘Now when the man with the discharge becomes cleansed from his discharge, then he shall count off for himself seven days for his cleansing; he shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in running water and will become clean.
NASB 1977‘Now when the man with the discharge becomes cleansed from his discharge, then he shall count off for himself seven days for his cleansing; he shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in running water and shall become clean.
Legacy Standard Bible‘Now when the man with the discharge becomes cleansed from his discharge, then he shall count off for himself seven days for his cleansing; he shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in running water and will become clean.
Amplified Bible‘When the man with the discharge becomes cleansed from his discharge, he shall count off seven days for his purification; he shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in running water and will become clean.
Christian Standard Bible“When the man with the discharge has been cured of it, he is to count seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe his body in fresh water; he will be clean.
Holman Christian Standard BibleWhen the man with the discharge has been cured of it, he is to count seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe his body in fresh water; he will be clean.
American Standard VersionAnd 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 he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.
Contemporary English VersionSeven days after the man gets well, he will be considered clean, if he washes his clothes and takes a bath in spring water.
English Revised VersionAnd 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 he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"When a man's discharge stops, he must wait seven days to be cleansed. He must wash his clothes and his body in fresh water. Then he will be clean.
Good News TranslationAfter the man is cured of his discharge, he must wait seven days and then wash his clothes and take a bath in fresh spring water, and he will be ritually clean.
International Standard Version"When the one with the discharge is cleansed from his discharge, then he is to set aside for himself seven days for his cleansing. He is to wash his clothes and bathe with flowing water. Then he will be clean.
NET Bible"'When the man with the discharge becomes clean from his discharge he is to count off for himself seven days for his purification, and he must wash his clothes, bathe in fresh water, and be clean.
New Heart English Bible"'When he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes; and he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen 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.
World English Bible“‘When he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes; and he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd when he who has the discharging is clean from his discharge, then he has numbered seven days for himself for his cleansing, and has washed his garments, and has bathed his flesh with running water, and been clean.
Young's Literal Translation 'And when he who hath the issue is clean from his issue, then he hath numbered to himself seven days for his cleansing, and hath washed his garments, and hath bathed his flesh with running water, and been clean.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd when he flowing shall be cleansed from his flowing, and he numbered to him seven days for his cleansing, and he washed his garments and washed his flesh in living water, and was clean. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf he who suffereth this disease be healed, he shall number seven days after his cleansing, and having washed his clothes, and all his body in living water, he shall be clean.
Catholic Public Domain VersionIf he who suffers from this affliction will have been healed, he shall number seven days after his cleansing, and having washed his clothes and his entire body in living water, he shall be clean.
New American BibleWhen a man with a discharge becomes clean of his discharge, he shall count seven days for his purification. Then he shall wash his garments and bathe his body in fresh water, and so he will be clean.
New Revised Standard VersionWhen the one with a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, he shall count seven days for his cleansing; he shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in fresh water, and he shall be clean. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes and bathe his body in running water and shall be clean.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd if he who had a discharge will be cleansed of his discharge, he shall number to himself seven days and he shall be clean, and he shall wash his garments and he shall bathe his body in living water and he shall be clean. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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 he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.
Brenton Septuagint Translationand if he that has the issue should be cleansed of his issue, then shall he number to himself seven days for his purification; and he shall wash his garments, and bathe his body in water, and shall be clean.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Cleansing of Men13Whenthe manhas been cleansedfrom his discharge,he must count offsevendaysfor hiscleansing,washhis clothes,and bathehimselfin freshwater,and he shall be clean.14On the eighth day he is to take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, come before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, and give them to the priest.…
Cross References Numbers 19:17-19For the purification of the unclean person, take some of the ashes of the burnt sin offering, put them in a jar, and pour fresh water over them. / Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, or a person who has died or been slain. / The man who is ceremonially clean is to sprinkle the unclean person on the third day and on the seventh day. After he purifies the unclean person on the seventh day, the one being cleansed must wash his clothes and bathe in water, and that evening he will be clean.
Leviticus 14:8-9The 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. / On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair—his head, his beard, his eyebrows, and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean.
Numbers 8:7This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.
2 Kings 5:10Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.”
2 Kings 5:14So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean.
John 13:10Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”
Acts 22:16And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’
Hebrews 10:22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Ezekiel 36:25I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
Psalm 51:7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Isaiah 1:16Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!
Zechariah 13:1“On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the people of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
Matthew 8:4Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”
Mark 1:44“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
Luke 5:14“Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
Treasury of Scripture And when he that has 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. seven days Leviticus 15:28 But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. Leviticus 8:33 And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregationin seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you. Leviticus 9:1 And it came to pass on the eighth day,that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; wash Leviticus 15:5,10,11 And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathehimself in water, and be unclean until the even… Jeremiah 33:8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. Ezekiel 36:25-29 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you… Jump to Previous BatheBathedBathingBodyCeremonialCleanCleansedCleansingClothesClothingCountDischargeFleshFlowFlowingFreshGarmentsIssueNumberedRunningSevenWashWashedWashingWaterJump to Next BatheBathedBathingBodyCeremonialCleanCleansedCleansingClothesClothingCountDischargeFleshFlowFlowingFreshGarmentsIssueNumberedRunningSevenWashWashedWashingWaterLeviticus 15 1.The uncleanness of men in their issues13.The cleansing of them19.The uncleanness of women in their issues28.Their cleansingWhen the man has been cleansed from his dischargeThis phrase refers to the purification process after a man has been healed from a bodily discharge, which could be a result of various medical conditions. In the ancient Near Eastern context, bodily discharges were often associated with impurity. The cleansing process signifies a return to ritual purity, necessary for participation in community and worship activities. This reflects the broader biblical theme of separation from impurity and the need for holiness. he must count off seven days for his cleansing
The number seven is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing completeness or perfection. The seven-day period ensures that the healing is complete and that the individual is fully restored. This mirrors the creation week, where God completed His work in seven days, and it underscores the importance of thoroughness in the purification process. wash his clothes
Washing clothes is a symbolic act of removing impurity and is a common biblical motif for purification. In the ancient world, clothing often represented one's status and identity, so washing them signifies a renewal of the person’s social and spiritual status. This act is reminiscent of the New Testament call to put on the new self, as seen inEphesians 4:24. and bathe himself in fresh water
Bathing in fresh water is a physical act of cleansing that has spiritual implications. Water is a recurring symbol of purification and life throughout the Bible. This act prefigures Christian baptism, which signifies spiritual cleansing and rebirth. The use of fresh water emphasizes the need for purity and renewal. and he shall be clean
The declaration of cleanliness marks the end of the purification process and the restoration of the individual to the community. This reflects the biblical principle that God desires His people to be holy and set apart. It also points to the ultimate cleansing from sin that is available through Jesus Christ, as seen in 1John 1:7, where the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Man with the DischargeThis refers to an individual experiencing a bodily discharge, which rendered him ceremonially unclean according to the Levitical law. 2. Cleansing ProcessThe process outlined for the man to become ceremonially clean again, involving a waiting period, washing of clothes, and bathing. 3. Seven DaysA period of time significant in biblical terms, often associated with completion and purification. 4. Fresh WaterSymbolic of purity and renewal, used in the cleansing process. 5. Ceremonial LawThe broader context of Leviticus, which includes various laws given to the Israelites to maintain holiness and purity. Teaching Points The Importance of PurityThe passage emphasizes the need for purity and cleanliness, both physically and spiritually. In our lives, we should strive for purity in our thoughts, actions, and relationships. Symbolism of WaterWater is a powerful symbol of cleansing and renewal. Just as the man with the discharge needed to wash in fresh water, we are called to seek spiritual renewal through the Word and the Holy Spirit. The Role of ObedienceThe detailed instructions for cleansing highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands. We are reminded to follow God's guidance in our daily lives, trusting in His wisdom and provision. The Significance of TimeThe seven-day period signifies a complete cycle of purification. In our spiritual journey, we must be patient and allow God to work in His timing for our growth and sanctification. Community and RestorationThe cleansing process allowed the man to be restored to the community. Similarly, we should seek reconciliation and restoration in our relationships, fostering unity and support within the body of Christ. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 15:13?
2.How does Leviticus 15:13 emphasize the importance of purification in daily life?
3.What spiritual significance do the cleansing rituals in Leviticus 15:13 hold today?
4.How does Leviticus 15:13 connect with New Testament teachings on purity?
5.In what ways can we apply the principles of Leviticus 15:13 today?
6.Why is "washing his clothes" significant in understanding personal holiness in Leviticus 15:13?
7.How does Leviticus 15:13 reflect ancient Israelite views on cleanliness and purity?
8.What is the theological significance of purification rituals in Leviticus 15:13?
9.How does Leviticus 15:13 relate to modern Christian practices of cleanliness?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 15?
11.What is the origin of baptism?
12.Leviticus 15:13 – If repeated washing was hygienic, why add a waiting period and a sacrifice with no clear scientific basis?
13.What are the purification rules for bodily discharges?
14.Is baptism mentioned in the Old Testament?What Does Leviticus 15:13 Mean When the man has been cleansed from his dischargeThe verse opens with the assumption that the physical flow has stopped. This signals the first sign of restoration. InLeviticus 15:1-12 the Lord details why any bodily discharge makes a person ceremonially unclean; here He shows the way back. The pause between the illness and the ritual underlines God’s compassion—He waits until the man is truly better before requiring anything further. Compare the pause inDeuteronomy 23:10-11 where soldiers wait “until evening” after an emission; God allows recovery before worship is resumed.
He must count off seven days for his cleansingThe full week mirrors other seven-day periods of purification such asNumbers 19:11-12 for contact with a corpse andLeviticus 12:2 for childbirth. Seven symbolizes completeness; the man is invited to experience a complete reset of body, mind, and relationship with the community. • Day by day, he remembers God’s mercy. • The people around him track the same calendar, reinforcing shared holiness (Leviticus 23:3). This span also prevents any hasty return that could spread uncleanness.
Wash his clothesGarments acted like extensions of the person—if they were defiled, whatever they touched became defiled (Leviticus 13:47-59). Washing clothes does three things: • Removes any residual contamination (Leviticus 17:15). • Gives visible evidence of inward change (Isaiah 1:16). • Prepares him to re-enter worship purified, just as priests washed their garments before service (Exodus 28:42-43).
And bathe himself in fresh water“Fresh water” (literally “living water”) points to running or spring water, not stagnant pools (Leviticus 14:5-6). The flow of clean water pictures life overcoming impurity, echoingExodus 30:18-21 where priests wash at the bronze basin. • Personal responsibility: he must do the bathing. • Divine provision: God supplies the “living water.” Jesus later applies this imagery spiritually inJohn 4:10-14, offering living water that purifies the heart.
And he shall be cleanAfter obedience comes assurance: “he shall be clean.” The declaration is as authoritative as the earlier verdict of uncleanness.Hebrews 9:13-14 uses these rituals to illustrate how Christ’s blood “purifies our conscience.” FirstJohn 1:7 echoes the promise: “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” The man now enjoys: • Restoration to communal worship (Leviticus 15:31). • Freedom from the social isolation described in verses 4-8. • Peace with God, knowing that the Lord determines and proclaims his status.
summaryLeviticus 15:13 outlines a gracious, ordered path from impurity back to wholeness: physical healing recognized, a deliberate seven-day pause, washing of clothes, personal bathing in living water, and God’s final pronouncement of cleanness. Each step reveals the Lord’s desire for complete restoration and prefigures the deeper cleansing fulfilled in Christ, who provides the ultimate “living water” and declares every trusting believer clean. (13) And when he . . . is cleansed of his issue.--That is, recovered or healed of his infirmity (see Leviticus 15:28), as the real purification was not accomplished till he had performed the ritual prescribed in this and in the two following verses. He is, however, not to perform these rites as soon as he finds that the issue has ceased, but has to wait seven clear days, so as to afford sufficient time to ascertain whether the infirmity had actually disappeared. If any vestige of it was seen during these seven days, or even at the end of the seventh day, and after he was baptized, he had again to count seven other days. Bathe his flesh in running water.--Or, more literally,living water.It will be seen that whilst all other defiled persons and things were to be immersed in a collection of water, the restored man who had suffered from the issue in question was ordered to bathe in a fountain or in spring water. For the phrase "living water," seeLeviticus 14:5;Leviticus 14:50. It is more than probable that the term "flesh" has here, too, the euphemistic sense in which it has hitherto been used in this section. (SeeLeviticus 15:2-3;Leviticus 15:7.) This derives support from the fact that whenever bathing of the body is ordered, the phrase for it throughout this section is uniformly "bathe in water" simply, which occurs no less than ten times (Leviticus 15:5-8;Leviticus 15:10-11;Leviticus 15:18;Leviticus 15:21-22;Leviticus 15:27), and where the Authorised Version has in all cases insertedhimselfin italics. This, moreover, seems to be confirmed by the fact that in the only passage in this section where the expression "flesh" is used in its literal sense for "body" (seeLeviticus 15:16), the sacred writer designedly added (?th kol) "all," so that it might be distinguished from the euphemistic sense in which it is used in all the other passages in this section, This, however, would not exclude the bathing of the body as well, but, on the contrary, premises it. . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Whenוְכִֽי־(wə·ḵî-)Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthe manהַזָּב֙(haz·zāḇ)Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2100:To flow freely, to have a, flux, to waste away, to overflowhas been cleansedיִטְהַ֤ר(yiṭ·har)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2891:To be clean or purefrom his discharge,מִזּוֹב֔וֹ(miz·zō·w·ḇōw)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2101:A seminal, menstrual fluxhe must count offוְסָ֨פַר(wə·sā·p̄ar)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5608:To count, recount, relatesevenשִׁבְעַ֥ת(šiḇ·‘aṯ)Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7651:Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite numberdaysיָמִ֛ים(yā·mîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117:A dayfor hisל֜וֹ(lōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrewcleansing,לְטָהֳרָת֖וֹ(lə·ṭā·ho·rā·ṯōw)Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2893:Ceremonial purification, moral puritywashוְכִבֶּ֣ס(wə·ḵib·bes)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3526:To trample, to washhis clothes,בְּגָדָ֑יו(bə·ḡā·ḏāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 899:A covering, clothing, treachery, pillageand batheוְרָחַ֧ץ(wə·rā·ḥaṣ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7364:To wash, wash off or away, bathehimselfבְּשָׂר֛וֹ(bə·śā·rōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1320:Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, manin freshחַיִּ֖ים(ḥay·yîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2416:Alive, raw, fresh, strong, lifewater,בְּמַ֥יִם(bə·ma·yim)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325:Water, juice, urine, semenand he shall be clean.וְטָהֵֽר׃(wə·ṭā·hêr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2891:To be clean or pure
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OT Law: Leviticus 15:13 When he who has a discharge (Le Lv Lev.) |
