Leviticus 15:4

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 15:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Every bed whereon he that hath the issue lieth shall be unclean; and everything whereon he sitteth shall be unclean.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Every bed whereon he that hath the issue lieth shall be unclean; and everything whereon he sitteth shall be unclean.
Leviticus 15:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Every bed whereon he that hath the issue lieth shall be unclean; and everything whereon he sitteth shall be unclean.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Every bed whereon he lieth that hath the issue is unclean, etc.] Which he constantly makes use of; so the Targum of Jonathan, which is peculiar to him, and appointed and appropriated for him to lie upon. Jarchi says, every bed that is fit to lie upon, thou is appropriated to another service; but, he adds meaning is, which he shall lie upon (or continue to lie upon); for it is not said, which he hath laid upon, but which he lieth upon, and is used by him continually; according to the Misnah f521, a man that has an issue defiles a bed five ways, so as to defile a man, and to defile garments; standing, sitting, lying, hanging, and leaning: and everything whereon he sitteth shall be unclean;…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thing: Heb. vessel be unclean: Co1 15:33; Eph 5:11; Tit 1:15 Leviticus 15:5”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Every bed upon which he lay, and everything upon which he sat, was defiled in consequence; also every one who touched his bed ( Lev 15:5), or sat upon it ( Lev 15:6), or touched his flesh, i.e., his body ( Lev 15:7), was unclean, and had to bathe himself and wash his clothes in consequence. Leviticus 15:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification