Leviticus 11:38

38 but if water is put on the seed and any part of their carcass falls on it, it is unclean to you.

Leviticus 11:38 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 11:38

But if [any] water be put upon the seed
Either accidentally or on purpose; whether on sowing seed, and with water with which they water the field, as Aben Ezra interprets it; or on seed used for food, by steeping it in water, as sometimes wheat is, and boiled; and whether it is water or the rest of the liquors, and whether they are put on the seed, or the seed falls into them, it matters not, as Jarchi says:

and [any part] of their carcass fall thereon;
that is, on the seed, though Aben Ezra observes, some say upon the water: the Targum of Jonathan adds, in its moisture, or while it is wet; and so may be thought to be more susceptible of impurity from the touch of a dead reptile, or any part of it, and which would render it unfit for sowing or eating, until it was dried and cleansed; yea, Jarchi says, if it falls thereon, even after it is dried:

it [shall be] unclean unto you;
unfit for use.

Leviticus 11:38 In-Context

36 Nevertheless, a spring or a cistern holding water shall be clean, but whoever touches a carcass in them shall be unclean.
37 And if any part of their carcass falls upon any seed grain that is to be sown, it is clean,
38 but if water is put on the seed and any part of their carcass falls on it, it is unclean to you.
39 "And if any animal which you may eat dies, whoever touches its carcass shall be unclean until the evening,
40 and whoever eats of its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening. And whoever carries the carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.