Old Testament
Leviticus 15:21
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Anyone who touches her bed must wash their clothes, bathe in water, and will be unclean until evening.
Compare translations
And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
What Leviticus 15:21 means
Plain-English insight for readers
This verse from Leviticus addresses the laws regarding ritual purity, specifically in relation to bodily discharges. It states that if someone touches the bed of a woman who is experiencing a discharge, they must take specific actions to become clean again. This includes washing their clothes and bathing in water. The person will remain unclean until evening, which means they cannot participate in certain religious activities or enter the temple until they have completed these purification steps. This reflects the importance of cleanliness and the regulations surrounding it in the Israelite community, emphasizing the need for physical and spiritual purity in their worship practices.
How to apply Leviticus 15:21 to your life
Understanding the importance of cleanliness can help us appreciate the need for personal and communal hygiene. In our lives today, we can apply this by being mindful of our physical and spiritual health, ensuring we maintain practices that promote well-being and respect for ourselves and others.
Curated for this public verse page. Leviticus Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Ruth's story: Three Widows (Ruth 1:1–5)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Ruth
Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Leviticus 15:21
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Leviticus 15:21
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Leviticus
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Leviticus 15:21 mean?
Leviticus 15:21 outlines the laws of ritual purity regarding a woman experiencing a bodily discharge. It states that anyone who touches her bed must wash their clothes and bathe, remaining unclean until evening.
What is the significance of being unclean until evening in Leviticus 15:21?
Being unclean until evening means that the person cannot participate in certain religious activities or enter the temple until they have completed the required purification steps, highlighting the importance of cleanliness in worship.
What actions must be taken according to Leviticus 15:21?
According to Leviticus 15:21, if someone touches the bed of a woman with a discharge, they must wash their clothes and bathe in water to become clean again.
Why are cleanliness laws important in Leviticus 15:21?
The cleanliness laws in Leviticus 15:21 emphasize the need for physical and spiritual purity within the Israelite community, reflecting their cultural practices and obedience to God's regulations.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.