Chapter 15

1 The uncleanness of men in their issues. 13 The cleansing of them. 19 The uncleanness of women in their issues. 28 Their cleansing.

2. A running issue. That is, “a discharge” (RSV).

This chapter deals with various kinds of defilement, both of men and of women. These defilements did not imply moral transgression, though they defiled both the person concerned and also others who came in contact with him. Some occur in the natural course of life, such as that of a woman in “the time of her separation” (v. 25) or in an “issue” of “blood” (v. 19), or of a man during sleep (v. 16). We conclude that the other defilements mentioned do not result from sin but from normal body functions or from abnormal conditions.

3. His uncleanness. Six distinct types of cases are mentioned in this chapter: (1) Abnormal male conditions (Lev. 15:2–15; cf. Lev. 22:4; Num. 5:2). (2) Normal male conditions (Lev. 15:16, 17; cf. Lev. 22:4; Deut. 23:10, 11). (3) Normal conjugal relations (Lev. 15:18; cf. Ex. 19:15; 1 Sam. 21:5; 1 Cor. 7:5). (4) Normal female conditions (Lev. 15:19–23; cf. Lev. 12:2; 20:18). (5) Inopportune conjugal relations (Lev. 15:24; cf. Lev. 18:19; 20:18). (6) Abnormal female conditions (Lev. 15:25–30; cf. Matt. 9:20; Mark 5:25; Luke 8:43).

14. Two turtledoves. In the first and sixth cases, listed in the comment on v. 3, where abnormal physical conditions exist, a sacrifice was required; in the others, none. The sacrifice specified was the least of all bloody offerings—a dove or a pigeon for a sin offering, and the same for a burnt offering (see vs. 29, 30).

31. That they die not. Whoever should venture to come to the sanctuary when thus defiled would thereby defile it also, in spite of the fact that the personal defilement was in most cases involuntary and did not require a sacrifice. These regulations indicate God’s interest in personal health and sanitation, and at the same time served to emphasize the sacredness of holy things. Ceremonial defilement was symbolic of moral defilement. In the Levitical laws the difference between actual sin and uncleanness is clearly distinguished.

God hates sin. He has seen its beginning and its outworking, and He knows what it is. He also hates uncleanness of all kinds, even though it may not be specifically called sin. God makes a difference between sin and uncleanness, and does not charge moral delinquency for that which is merely unclean. But neither does God fail to make men know that uncleanness of all kinds is displeasing to Him. This lesson should not be lost on us. God requires holiness. He requires cleanliness; He requires becoming modesty and humility; He requires that we do not benumb our sensibilities by anything whatsoever that tends to make us less aware of His voice.

Ellen G. White comments

4-12MH 278