Leviticus 22:4

Authorized King James Version

What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or hath a running issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goeth from him;

Word-by-Word Analysis

אִ֔ישׁ

H376

What man soever

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אִ֔ישׁ

H376

What man soever

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

זָֽרַע׃

H2233

of the seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אַֽהֲרֹ֗ן

H175

of Aaron

aharon, the brother of moses

וְה֤וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

צָר֙וּעַ֙

H6879

is a leper

to scourge, i.e., (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy

א֣וֹ

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

זָ֔ב

H2100

or hath a running issue

to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow

בַּקֳּדָשִׁים֙

H6944

of the holy things

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

#10

לֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#11

יֹאכַ֔ל

H398

he shall not eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#12

עַ֖ד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#13

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#14

יִטְהָ֑ר

H2891

until he be clean

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

#15

וְהַנֹּגֵ֙עַ֙

H5060

And whoso toucheth

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

#16

בְּכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#17

טְמֵא

H2931

any thing that is unclean

foul in a religious sense

#18

נֶ֔פֶשׁ

H5315

by the dead

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#19

א֣וֹ

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

#20

אִ֔ישׁ

H376

What man soever

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#21

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#22

תֵּצֵ֥א

H3318

goeth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#23

מִמֶּ֖נּוּ

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#24

שִׁכְבַת

H7902

a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act)

#25

זָֽרַע׃

H2233

of the seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

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

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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Leviticus 22:4

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Study Resources