Leviticus 17:15

Authorized King James Version

And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
נֶ֗פֶשׁ
H5315
And every soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#3
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#4
תֹּאכַ֤ל
H398
that eateth
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#5
נְבֵלָה֙
H5038
that which died
a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol
#6
וּטְרֵפָ֔ה
H2966
of itself or that which was torn
prey, i.e., flocks devoured by animals
#7
בָּֽאֶזְרָ֖ח
H249
with beasts whether it be one of your own country
a spontaneous growth, i.e., native (tree or persons)
#8
וּבַגֵּ֑ר
H1616
or a stranger
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
#9
וְכִבֶּ֨ס
H3526
he shall both wash
to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative
#10
בְּגָדָ֜יו
H899
his clothes
a covering, i.e., clothing
#11
וְרָחַ֥ץ
H7364
and bathe
to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)
#12
בַּמַּ֛יִם
H4325
himself in water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#13
וְטָמֵ֥א
H2930
and be unclean
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
#14
עַד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#15
הָעֶ֖רֶב
H6153
until the even
dusk
#16
וְטָהֵֽר׃
H2891
then shall he be clean
to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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