Deuteronomy 23:9-14

Uncleanness in the Camp

9 When you are encamped against your enemies, then you shall keep yourself from every wicked thing. ¹

10 If any man among you becomes unclean because of a nocturnal emission, he must leave the camp and stay outside.

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

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

13 And you must have a digging tool in your equipment so that when you relieve yourself you can dig a hole and cover up your excrement.

14 For the LORD your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, lest He see anything unclean among you and turn away from you.

Deuteronomy 23:9-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 23

Orders are here given to restrain certain persons from entering into the congregation of the Lord, De 23:1-8, and to take care that there be no unclean person in the camp, or any indecent thing done in it, De 23:9-14, to protect fugitive servants, and not deliver them up to their masters, De 23:15,16 not to suffer a filthy person to be among them, or any filthy thing to be brought into the house of God for a vow, De 23:17,18, then follow some laws against usury, and for the payment of vows, De 23:19-23, and the chapter is concluded with some directions how to behave in a neighbour's vineyard, or standing corn, De 23:24,25.

Cross References

• 1. (Leviticus 15:1–12)