Definition: And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even.
Explanation: Okay, letâs break down this passage from Leviticus 15:21. Itâs a really tricky one, and it deals with a serious situation involving a sexual act â specifically, a man touching another man's bed. Hereâs a simple explanation: What happened? In ancient Israel, when someone engaged in a sexual relationship that was considered deeply wrong, it could lead to a physical impurity. This wasnât just about casual sex; it was a transgression against Godâs law and a violation of the sacred bond between men and women. What does the verse say? "And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even." Let's unpack that: âWhosoever toucheth her bedâ : This means anyone who has a sexual relationship with another man. Itâs a general statement about anyone engaging in this kind of act. âWash his clothesâ : This is a symbolic instruction. It means to cover yourself with clean clothing â essentially, to remove the physical impurity that resulted from the transgression. âBathing [himself] in waterâ : This is a crucial part. It's not just about washing your clothes; itâs about cleansing yourself of the physical impurity caused by the act. âBe unclean until the evenâ : This phrase is really important. "Even" means âthe eveningâ or âthe night.â The idea is that this impurity is so severe, and the consequences are so serious, that itâs considered unacceptable for a period of time â until the next day. What was the purpose? This passage is about atonement . God wanted to offer a way for people to make amends for breaking God's laws. It was a way for individuals to show remorse and seek forgiveness through ritual purification. The idea wasnât about getting clean; it was about showing that they were repentant and ready to live in accordance with Godâs law. Important Note: This passage is often misunderstood. It doesn't describe a physical infection or disease. It describes a violation of religious law and a need for repentance and purification. It highlights the seriousness of the transgression and the importance of seeking forgiveness. In short, this verse speaks about a serious breach of Godâs laws that required a period of cleansing and atonement. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious expert. This explanation is for informational purposes only and does not constitute religious guidance. Do you have any specific questions about this passage that you'd like me to answer? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of this verse within the larger story of Israel? Discuss its significance in understanding Jewish law?