Leviticus 15:1-18
Summary for Lev 15:1-33: 15:1-33 a The principle of normal and abnormal and the created order again aids the interpretation of these regulations (see thematic note for Clean, Unclean, and Holy at end of chapter). Bodily discharges, such as infections (see study note on 13:1-46), were not “normal” because they weakened the vitality of the person, so the person was not seen as whole. Whether male (15:1-18 b) or female (15:19-33 c), such a person became unclean.15:2 d bodily discharge (literally a flowing from his flesh): Most scholars interpret the word flesh as a euphemism for sexual organs and the symptoms described here as indicating an infection of gonorrhea. Others suggest that it refers to a discharge of semen or even diarrhea. A discharge of semen is unlikely, however, because that is singled out in 15:16-17 e and required only washing with water. It is clear that this bodily discharge proceeded from “under the man” (15:10 f) and contaminated anything he sat on or lay upon (15:4 g, 6 h, 9 i).
Summary for Lev 15:13-15: 15:13-15 j In contrast to the man with a skin disease (see 13:46 k), a man with a bodily discharge was apparently allowed to live at home. He did not have to undergo the more elaborate cleansing ritual described in ch 14 l. He simply had to wait seven days after the discharge ceased, wash (15:13 m), and present the least expensive animal sacrifice of two birds—one as a sin offering and the other as a whole burnt offering.
Summary for Lev 15:16-17: 15:16-17 n In the case of an emission of semen, the discharge was not a sign of illness (see study note on 15:1-33). Still, the same rule applied; the man must wash and be considered unclean until the next evening.
15:18 o If the seminal emission involved sexual intercourse, both the man and the woman became unclean and had to wash and remain unclean until the next evening. Although it involved a bodily emission, sexual intercourse was not an infection or abnormality, and it required no sacrifices.
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