Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 15

Introduction

CHAP. XV.

Of uncleanness by issues, and their purifications.

Before Christ 1490.

Verse 1

Leviticus 15:1. And the Lord spake unto Moses and to Aaron, &c.— Some other cases respecting both sexes are here mentioned; and, no doubt, with the same view to moral purity, and reverence to the worship of God, as the former. We leave all physical remarks to the physicians.

Verse 9

Leviticus 15:9. What saddle— The original word מרכב mercab, signifies any riding-seat, whether in a chariot or on a horse: so Houbigant renders it, every thing, on which he shall sit, or upon which he shall be carried.

Verse 10

Leviticus 15:10. And bathe himself in water— Compare with Leviticus 15:11; Leviticus 15:21-22; Leviticus 15:27.

REFLECTIONS.—The euphemism of the Scripture is beautiful, and to be imitated. Even when it speaks of evil things, it is in such a way as to avoid exciting evil ideas.

The loathsome disease here mentioned, is usually the consequence and punishment of impurity, leaving a rotten carcass and a guilty conscience. It rendered a man incapable of appearing at the sanctuary, it made him to be shunned by every body around him; and whatever he touched was unclean. When he was healed, he washed; and when after seven days waiting he gave full confirmation of his cure, he might bring his sacrifice. Note; 1. Though the servants of their lusts may count it a light affair to be cut off in this world from the congregation of the Lord, where they seldom care to appear, they will find it a terrible thing to be cut off from it in eternity. 2. Nothing wars more dangerously against the soul than evil concupiscence. 3. The company of such persons is more to be avoided, than of him who has the plague. 4. Yet the vilest need not despair: when he returns to the blood of Jesus, there is hope in his end.

Verses 32-33

Leviticus 15:32-33.— The threatened penalty for approaching the sanctuary in the circumstances mentioned in the text was death. And hereby veneration and awe were kept up in their minds for the tabernacle, and more for that holy God who dwelt in it. If even natural and involuntary infirmities were in some sense offensive, how much had they need fear to provoke his holiness by wilful impurities? Though these ordinances have ceased with the worldly sanctuary, the benefit of them is permanent: to warn us of the defiling nature of sin, to engage us to keep the body as well as the soul pure for the Lord; and thus to be always ready to appear before him, whether in his tabernacle on earth, or before his throne in heaven.