Leviticus 17:16

16 " 'But suppose he does not wash his clothes. And suppose he does not take a bath. Then he will be held accountable for what he has done.' "

Leviticus 17:16 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 17:16

But if he wash [them] not
Neither wash his clothes: nor bathe his flesh; if he is negligent, and does not take care to make use of these ablutions: then he shall bear his iniquity;
his guilt shall remain on him, and he shall suffer the punishment the law exposes him to, either by the hand of God, or the civil magistrate, which is due to persons that enter into the sanctuary in their uncleanness, or eat of holy things. For not washing his body the punishment was cutting off, and for not washing his garments, beating, as Jarchi says.

Leviticus 17:16 In-Context

14 " 'That is because every creature's life is its blood. And that is why I have said to the people of Israel, "You must not eat any creature's meat that still has blood in it. Every creature's life is its blood. Anyone who eats that kind of meat must be cut off."

15 " 'Suppose someone eats anything that is found dead or is torn apart by wild animals. It does not matter whether he is an Israelite or an outsider. He must wash his clothes. He must take a bath. He will be "unclean" until evening. After that, he will be "clean."

16 " 'But suppose he does not wash his clothes. And suppose he does not take a bath. Then he will be held accountable for what he has done.' "