Deuteronomy 23:12

12 You must have a place outside the camp and go there [to relieve yourself].

Deuteronomy 23:12 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 23:12

Thou shalt have also a place without the camp
A place prepared, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, provided on purpose for the use hereafter suggested; so Ben Melech:

whither thou shalt go forth abroad;
to do the necessities of nature, which they were to do without the camp, not in any place they thought fit and most convenient, but what was appointed for that purpose.

Deuteronomy 23:12 In-Context

10 If there is a man among you who is unclean because of a bodily emission during the night, he must go outside the camp; he may not come anywhere inside the camp.

11 When evening approaches, he must wash with water, and when the sun sets he may come inside the camp.

12 You must have a place outside the camp and go there [to relieve yourself].

13 You must have a digging tool in your equipment; when you relieve yourself, dig a hole with it and cover up your excrement.

14 For the Lord your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you; so your encampments must be holy. He must not see anything improper among you or He will turn away from you.