Topical Encyclopedia
The term "menstruous" refers to the condition of a woman during her menstrual cycle, a natural biological process. In the context of the Bible, menstruation is addressed primarily in the Old Testament, where it is associated with ritual impurity and specific laws governing the conduct of women during this time.
Biblical References:1.
Leviticus 15:19-24 : The primary biblical passage concerning menstruation is found in
Leviticus 15. This passage outlines the laws of ritual purity related to a woman's menstrual cycle. According to
Leviticus 15:19, "When a woman has a discharge, and the discharge from her body is blood, she shall be in her menstrual impurity for seven days, and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening." The passage continues to describe how anything she lies on or sits on during her period is also considered unclean, and anyone who touches these items must wash their clothes and bathe in water.
2.
Leviticus 18:19 : This verse prohibits sexual relations with a woman during her menstrual period, stating, "You must not approach a woman to have sexual relations with her during her menstrual impurity."
3.
Ezekiel 18:6 : The prophet Ezekiel, in describing the righteous man, includes the avoidance of sexual relations with a menstruous woman as a mark of righteousness: "He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her period."
Cultural and Theological Context:In ancient Israel, the laws concerning menstruation were part of a broader system of purity laws that governed many aspects of daily life. These laws were not merely hygienic but were deeply embedded in the religious and cultural fabric of the society. The concept of ritual purity was central to maintaining holiness and the proper worship of God.
The menstruous condition was seen as a temporary state of impurity, which required specific actions to restore ritual cleanliness. This included a period of separation and the washing of clothes and bathing, as outlined in
Leviticus 15. The impurity associated with menstruation was not a moral failing but a ceremonial condition that required observance of God's laws.
Symbolism and Interpretation:From a theological perspective, the laws regarding menstruation can be seen as part of the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation. The Israelites were called to be a holy people, distinct from the surrounding nations, and the observance of purity laws was a tangible expression of this calling.
The New Testament does not explicitly address the issue of menstruation, and the coming of Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant brought a shift in the understanding of purity and holiness. The focus moved from external observances to the internal condition of the heart. However, the Old Testament laws remain a significant part of the biblical narrative and provide insight into the historical and cultural context of the Scriptures.
Practical Implications:In contemporary Christian practice, the Old Testament laws regarding menstruation are generally not observed in the same way as they were in ancient Israel. However, these passages continue to be studied for their theological significance and their insights into the nature of holiness, purity, and the relationship between God and His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Having the monthly flow or discharge; menstruating.
2. (a.) of or pertaining to the monthly flow; catamenial.
Strong's Hebrew
1739. daveh -- faint, unwell... Word Origin from davah Definition faint, unwell NASB Word Usage faint (2), impure
thing (1),
menstruous (1), woman who (1), woman who is ill (1).
...5079. niddah -- impurity
... uncleanness (2). far, filthiness, flowers,menstruous woman, put apart, removed
woman. From nadad; properly, rejection; by implication...
Library
Whether it is Allowable for aMenstruous Wife to Ask for the...
... OF THE THINGS ANNEXED TO MARRIAGE, AND FIRST OF THE PAYMENT OF THE MARRIAGE DEBT
(TEN ARTICLES) Whether it is allowable for amenstruous wife to ask for the...
Whether aMenstruous Woman Should or May Lawfully Pay the Marriage...
... OF THE THINGS ANNEXED TO MARRIAGE, AND FIRST OF THE PAYMENT OF THE MARRIAGE DEBT
(TEN ARTICLES) Whether amenstruous woman should or may lawfully pay the...
The Precept About Touching theMenstruous Woman not to be...
... Book III. Chapter 21 [XII.]"The Precept About Touching theMenstruous Woman Not
to Be Figuratively Understood; The Necessity of the Sacraments....
How Man's Goodness and Righteousness are not Good if Compared with...
... turns to badness in the eyes of the Highest so also our righteousness when set against
the Divine righteousness is considered like amenstruous cloth, as...
Matt. Ix. 18
... For if themenstruous woman was judged not to be clean, much more would she have
the same thought, who was afflicted with such a disease; since in fact that...
Chel. The Court of the Women.
... was more sacred than the Court of the Gentiles: for hither no heathen, nor any unclean
by that which died of itself, nor who lay with amenstruous woman, might...
On the Good Works of Believers
... FIFTH PART ON THE GOOD WORKS OF BELIEVERS. QUERIES. " Is it truly said, concerning
the good works of believers "they are unclean like amenstruous cloth", And...
Psalm LII.
... and when she was praying before God, where she could not lie, in her prayer said,
that her royal ornaments were to her but as the cloth of amenstruous woman....
Necessity of Good Works.
... By reason of chastity, I say, of which there are many kinds, but first, that every
one be careful that he come not near amenstruous woman;' for this the law...
The Letter of the Blessed Dionysius, the Archbishop of Alexandria...
... Canon II.Menstruous women ought not to come to the Holy Table, or touch the Holy
of Holies, [584] nor to the churches, but pray elsewhere. Note....
Thesaurus
Menstruous (4 Occurrences)... menstruating. 2. (a.) of or pertaining to the monthly flow; catamenial.
Multi-Version Concordance
Menstruous (4 Occurrences). Leviticus
...Ablution
... article used by such a one, should wash his whole body (Leviticus 15:5-10); that
a sufferer from an unclean issue (Leviticus 15:16, 18); amenstruous woman (2...
Menstruation (3 Occurrences)
Menstrual (9 Occurrences)
... defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy
molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as amenstruous cloth; thou...
Mental (1 Occurrence)
Neighbour's (30 Occurrences)
... hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled
his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to amenstruous woman, (KJV JPS...
Ornament (23 Occurrences)
... defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy
molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as amenstruous cloth; thou...
Spreadeth (37 Occurrences)
... is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries
should be round about him: Jerusalem is as amenstruous woman among them...
Graven (61 Occurrences)
... defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy
molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as amenstruous cloth; thou...
Cloth (57 Occurrences)
... defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy
molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as amenstruous cloth; thou...
Resources
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