Old Testament
Leviticus 15:5
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Anyone who touches his bed must wash their clothes, bathe in water, and will be unclean until evening.
Compare translations
And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
What Leviticus 15:5 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Leviticus 15:5, the text addresses the issue of ritual cleanliness, particularly concerning bodily discharges. If someone comes into contact with a bed that has been used by a person who is ceremonially unclean, they must take specific actions to restore their cleanliness. This involves washing their clothes and bathing in water. The individual will remain unclean until evening, which means they cannot participate in communal worship or activities until they have completed these cleansing rituals. This verse highlights the importance of maintaining purity in the community and the steps required to achieve it. It reflects the broader theme of holiness in the Israelite community, emphasizing that physical cleanliness is tied to spiritual readiness and communal integrity. The instructions serve as a reminder of the seriousness of maintaining purity in both personal and communal life, as well as the need for accountability in following God's laws.
How to apply Leviticus 15:5 to your life
This verse reminds us of the importance of maintaining personal and communal integrity. In our lives, we should be mindful of our actions and their impact on others. Just as physical cleanliness was essential for the Israelites, we should strive for spiritual cleanliness and accountability in our relationships and community.
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 15:5
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 15:5
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 15:5 mean?
Leviticus 15:5 explains that if someone touches a bed used by a person who is ceremonially unclean, they must wash their clothes and bathe. They will remain unclean until evening, which prevents them from participating in communal activities.
What is the significance of being unclean until evening in Leviticus 15:5?
Being unclean until evening means that the person cannot engage in communal worship or activities until they have completed the required cleansing rituals. This emphasizes the importance of ritual purity in the Israelite community.
What are the cleansing rituals mentioned in Leviticus 15:5?
The cleansing rituals in Leviticus 15:5 involve washing one's clothes and bathing in water after coming into contact with a bed used by someone unclean. These actions are necessary to restore ritual cleanliness.
Why is ritual cleanliness important in Leviticus 15:5?
Ritual cleanliness is important in Leviticus 15:5 as it reflects the broader theme of holiness and communal integrity in the Israelite community. Maintaining purity is essential for spiritual readiness and accountability.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.