Finding Meaning in Leviticus 15:18-27’s Ancient Rules

What does Leviticus 15:18-27 teach about ritual purity in ancient Israel, including its regulations for menstruation and seminal emissions, their significance, and why they seem extreme to modern readers?

When I first read Leviticus 15:18-27, I’ll admit I raised an eyebrow. Rules about menstruation and other bodily functions in the Bible seemed strict. As I dover a little deeper, I realized these verses are about something bigger which was to keep a community spiritually and physically ready to connect with God. They focus on ritual purity, especially around natural elements like menstruation and seminal emissions, to make sure sacred places like the tabernacle stayed holy.

For example, Leviticus 15:19 states that “And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.” This doesn’t mean she’s bad or gross.  It’s just a temporary state causing pause before rejoining worship. She’d wait another seven days and bring an offering to be fully pure again.

Similarly, Leviticus 15:18 states, “The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.” Whether it’s sex or something else, the impurity is gone by night. It’s less about shame and more about respecting the body’s natural cycles.

Back then, these rules made sense. They kept things clean and pure. It was a holy way to deal with life. Blood and emissions are powerful and sacred (the worldly part of what creates life and honored in their own way). It wasn’t punishment. It was about preparing to stand before a holy God. I used to think this was over-the-top, but now I see it’s like getting ready for a big event. You want to show up your best, inside and out.

Today, we might scoff at these ancient dos and don’ts, but they still make me think. How do I prepare to connect with something bigger? Leviticus 15:18-27 shows that our bodies and spirits are linked, and taking care of both matters. Even if we don’t follow these exact rules, the idea of approaching life with respect and purpose feels timeless, whether you’re praying, reflecting, or just trying to live well.

Much Love,

Lynn

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