Leviticus 15:8

8 And if he that has the issue should spit upon one that is clean, shall wash his garments, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening.

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 And whosoever sits on the seat on which he that has the issue may have sat, shall wash his garments, and bathe himself in water, and shall be unclean until evening.

7 And he that touches the skin of him that has the issue, shall wash his garments and bathe himself in water, and shall be unclean till evening.

8 And if he that has the issue should spit upon one that is clean, shall wash his garments, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening.

9 And every ass's saddle, on which the man with the issue shall have mounted, shall be unclean till evening.

10 And every one that touches whatsoever shall have been under him shall be unclean until evening; and he that takes them up shall wash his garments, and bathe himself in water, and shall be unclean until evening.