Lev 11:46, 13:59, 14:2, 32, 54-15:18, Num 5:29, 6:13, 19:14, Eze 43:12 | TSK | STEP | This.The distinction of clean and unclean animals, (see note on Le 11:2) existed even before the flood, though it probably then only related to sacrifices; but at this time we find there were very particular laws enacted respecting the diet of the people, and the ceremonial uncleanness contracted by touching the carcases of unclean animals. The reasons for the enactment of these laws seem to be--1. As a test of obedience, and to teach the Israelites habits of self-denial, and the government of their appetites. 2. To keep them distinct from other nations, and consequently from their idolatrous usages, by throwing hindrances in the way of their social intercourse; for these distinctions were applicable both to persons and things. The Canaanites not only ate the animals prohibited by Moses, which we usually eat, but others also, among which dogs were one. Besides, many of those declared unclean were sacred among the heathen, and sacrificed to their gods. 3. Because those prohibited were innutritive and unwholesome; as the swine, the flesh of which being strong and difficult to digest, affords a very gross aliment, and produces, especially in hot climates, cutaneous, scrophulous, and scorbutic disorders, as the itch, leprosy, etc.

Leviticus 11:46

This.The distinction of clean and unclean animals, (see note on Le 11:2) existed even before the flood, though it probably then only related to sacrifices; but at this time we find there were very particular laws enacted respecting the diet of the people, and the ceremonial uncleanness contracted by touching the carcases of unclean animals. The reasons for the enactment of these laws seem to be--1. As a test of obedience, and to teach the Israelites habits of self-denial, and the government of their appetites. 2. To keep them distinct from other nations, and consequently from their idolatrous usages, by throwing hindrances in the way of their social intercourse; for these distinctions were applicable both to persons and things. The Canaanites not only ate the animals prohibited by Moses, which we usually eat, but others also, among which dogs were one. Besides, many of those declared unclean were sacred among the heathen, and sacrificed to their gods. 3. Because those prohibited were innutritive and unwholesome; as the swine, the flesh of which being strong and difficult to digest, affords a very gross aliment, and produces, especially in hot climates, cutaneous, scrophulous, and scorbutic disorders, as the itch, leprosy, etc.

7:37; 14:54; 15:32; Eze 43:12

Leviticus 13:59

Leviticus 14:2

the law.

54-57; 13:59

in the day.

Nu 6:9

He shall.

Mt 8:2-4; Mr 1:40-44; Lu 5:12-14; 17:14

Leviticus 14:32

2,54-57; 13:59

whose hand.

10,21; Ps 72:12-14; 136:23; Mt 11:5; 1Co 1:27,28

Leviticus 14:54-57

the law.

2,32; 6:9,14,25; 7:1,37; 11:46; 15:32; Nu 5:29; 6:13; 19:14; De 24:8

scall.

13:30,31

the leprosy.

13:47-59

of a house.

a rising.

13:2

teach.

10:10; Jer 15:19; Eze 44:23

when it is unclean, and when it is clean. Heb. in the day ofthe unclean, and in the day of the clean. this is.

De 24:8

Leviticus 15:1-18

1 The uncleanness of men in their issues.

13 The cleansing of them.

19 The uncleanness of women in their issues.

28 Their cleansing.

Aaron.

11:1; 13:1; Ps 25:14; Am 3:7; Heb 1:1

unto the.

De 4:7,8; Ne 9:13,14; Ps 78:5; 147:19,20; Ro 3:2

when any man.It is not necessary to consider particularly the laws contained in this chapter, the letter of the text being in general sufficiently plain. It may, however, be observed, that from the pains which persons rendered unclean were obliged to take, the ablutions and separations which they must observe, and the privations to which they must in consequence be exposed, in the way of commerce, traffic, etc., these laws were admirably adapted to prevent contagion of every kind, by keeping the whole from the diseased, and to hinder licentious indulgences and excesses of every description.

22:4; Nu 5:2; 2Sa 3:29; Mt 9:20; Mr 5:25; 7:20-23; Lu 8:43

running issue. or, running of the reins.

12:3; Eze 16:26; 23:20

thing. Heb. vessel. be unclean.

1Co 15:33; Eph 5:11; Tit 1:15

11:25,28,32; 13:6,34; 14:8,9,27,46,47; 16:26,28; 17:15

Nu 19:10,22; Ps 26:6; 51:2,7; Isa 1:16; 22:14; Eze 36:25,29

Heb 9:14,26; 10:22; Jas 4:8; Re 7:14

Isa 1:16; Jas 4:8

Isa 1:16; Ga 1:8,9; 1Ti 4:1-3; Tit 1:9,10; 2Pe 2:1-3; Jas 4:8

Jude 1:4

saddle.The word {merchav,} from {rachav,} to ride, here rendered by our translators saddle, and frequently chariot. Mr. Harmer thinks rather means a litter, or {coune,} of which we have already given a description in Ge 31:34.

Ge 31:34

5,8; Ps 26:6; Jas 4:8

whomsoever.It is rather doubtful whether the words hath not rinsed his hands in water refer to him who was diseased, or to him who had his hands touched. Most understand it of the former, that if the person who had the issue rinsed his hands in water, just before he touched any one, he did not communicate any pollution; otherwise, he did. But the Syriac refers it to the person touched by him, though it seems strange that he should be cleansed by washing his hands, when perhaps some other part was touched.

vessel.

6:28; 11:32,33; Pr 1:21,23; 3:21; 2Co 5:1; Php 3:21

shall be broken.

Ps 2:9

seven days.

28; 8:33; 9:1; 14:8,10; Ex 29:35,37; Nu 12:14; 19:11,12

wash.

5,10,11; Jer 33:8; Eze 36:25-29; 2Co 7:1; Jas 4:8; Re 1:5

29,30; 1:14; 12:6,8; 14:22-31; Nu 6:10; 2Co 5:21; Heb 7:26; 10:10,12

Heb 10:14

the one.

5:7-10; 14:19,20,30,31

an atonement.

4:20,26,31,35; 12:7; 14:18; Nu 15:25; 25:13; Mt 3:17; Eph 1:6

Heb 1:3

5; 22:4; De 23:10,11; 2Co 7:1; 1Pe 2:11; 1Jo 1:7

skin.The poorer class of Arabs of our times make use of mats in their tents; and other inhabitants of these countries, who affect ancient simplicity of manners, make use of goat-skins. Dr. R. Chandler, in his Travels in Greece, tells us, that he saw some dervishes at Athens sitting on goat-skins; and that he was afterwards conducted into a room furnished in like manner, with the same kind of carpeting, where he was treated with a pipe and coffee by the chief dervish. Those that are at all acquainted with Oriental manners, in these later times, know that their dervishes (who are a sort of Mohammedan devotees, a good deal resembling the begging friars of the church or Rome) affect great simplicity, and even sometimes austerity, in their dress and way of living. As these dervishes that Dr. Chandler visited sat on goat-skins, and used no other kind of carpet for the accommodation of those who visited them: so it should seem that the Israelites in the wilderness made use of skins for mattresses to lie upon, and consequently, we may equally suppose to sit upon in the day time, instead of a carpet.

the woman.

5; Eph 4:17-19; 5:3-11; 2Ti 2:22; 1Pe 2:11

unclean.

Ex 19:15; 1Sa 21:4,5; Ps 51:5; 1Co 6:12,18; 1Th 4:3-5; Heb 13:4

Numbers 5:29

the law.

Le 7:11; 11:46; 13:59; 14:54-57; 15:32,33

when a wife goeth.

12,15,19; Isa 5:7,8

Numbers 6:13

are fulfilled.

Ac 21:26

Numbers 19:14

Ezekiel 43:12

Upon.

40:2; 42:20; Ps 93:5; Joe 3:17; Zec 14:20,21; Re 21:27