Leviticus 11:38

38 soothly if any man sheddeth out [the] seed with water, and afterward the water is touched with dead bodies by themselves, it shall be defouled anon. (but if anyone poureth out the seed with water, and afterward the seed is touched by their dead bodies, at once it shall be defiled, or unclean.)

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 Soothly wells and cisterns, and all the gatherings together of waters, shall be clean. He that toucheth their body dead by itself, shall be defouled (But whoever toucheth their dead body shall be defiled, or unclean).
37 If it falleth upon (a) seed, it shall not defoul the seed;
38 soothly if any man sheddeth out [the] seed with water, and afterward the water is touched with dead bodies by themselves, it shall be defouled anon. (but if anyone poureth out the seed with water, and afterward the seed is touched by their dead bodies, at once it shall be defiled, or unclean.)
39 If a beast is dead, which it is leaveful to you to eat (If a beast dieth naturally, which it is lawful for you to eat), he that toucheth the dead body thereof shall be unclean till to eventide;
40 and he that eateth thereof anything, either beareth it, shall wash his clothes, and shall be unclean till to eventide.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.