Leviticus 15:8

8 If such a man casteth out spittle upon him that is clean, he shall wash his clothes, and he shall be washed in water, and shall be unclean till to eventide.

Leviticus 15:8 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 15:8

And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean
Not purposely, which is not usual for a man to do, and whenever it is done, nothing is more affronting; but accidentally, when, as Aben Ezra expresses it, he spreads his spittle, and it falls upon a clean person; and under this, as Gersom observes, is comprehended whatever is brought up by coughing, as phlegm, or flows from the nose, or is pressed out of it; and so Maimonides F26: and this may denote all corrupt communication which proceeds out of the mouth of evil men, whether immoral or heretical, which not only defiles the man himself, but those he converses with; for evil communication corrupts good manners:

then he shall wash his clothes
as in the foregoing instances. (See Gill on Leviticus 15:5).


FOOTNOTES:

F26 Hilchot Metame Mishcab, c. 1. sect. 16.

Leviticus 15:8 In-Context

6 If a man sitteth where he sat, also that man shall wash his clothes (that man shall wash his clothes), and he shall be washed in water, and shall be unclean till to eventide.
7 He that toucheth his flesh, shall wash his clothes, and he shall be washed in water, and shall be unclean till to eventide.
8 If such a man casteth out spittle upon him that is clean, he shall wash his clothes, and he shall be washed in water, and shall be unclean till to eventide.
9 The saddle on which he sitteth, shall be unclean; and each man that toucheth whatever thing is under him that suffereth the flowing out of seed, shall be defouled, (or unclean), till to eventide.
10 He that beareth any of these things, shall wash his clothes, and he shall be washed in water, and shall be unclean till to eventide.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.