Leviticus 11:39

39 And if any beast which is to you for food die, he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 11:39 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 11:39

And if any beast of which ye may eat die
Any clean beast, as the ox, sheep, goat, deer what, if rightly killed, is very lawful to eat of; but if it died of itself through any distemper, or was torn by the wild beasts, so the Targum of Jonathan:

he that toucheth the carcass thereof shall be unclean until the
even;
not the bones, nerves, horns, hoofs, or skin, as Jarchi observes; these might be handled, because some of them, at least, were wrought up into one instrument or another, by artificers, for use and service, but the flesh of them might not be touched; whoever did touch it was ceremonially unclean, and might not go into the sanctuary, or have conversation with men, until the evening of the day in which this was done.

Leviticus 11:39 In-Context

37 And if any part of their carcase fall upon any sowing-seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean;

38 but if water have been put on the seed, and any part of their carcase fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you.

39 And if any beast which is to you for food die, he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.

40 And he that eateth of its carcase shall wash his garments, and be unclean until the even: he also that carrieth its carcase shall wash his garments, and be unclean until the even.

41 And every crawling thing which crawleth on the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.