Leviticus 11:38

38 But when water is put on [the] seed and {one of their dead bodies} falls on it, it [is] unclean for 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 Surely a spring or a cistern collecting water shall be clean, but that which touches their dead body shall become unclean.
37 And when {one of their dead bodies} falls on any {seed for sowing}, it [is] clean.
38 But when water is put on [the] seed and {one of their dead bodies} falls on it, it [is] unclean for you.
39 " 'And when {one of the animals} dies that is for you to eat, the one who touches its dead body shall become unclean until the evening.
40 And the one who eats {some of} its dead body must wash his garments, and he shall be unclean until the evening; and the one who carries its dead body must wash his garments, and he shall be unclean until the evening.

Footnotes 2

Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.