Leviticus – Chapter 15

Old Testament33 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:" — so begins Leviticus 15. The chapter centers on Aaron and Moses. Across its 33 verses, two threads run through the text: holiness and sin and divine judgment. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:

2Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: The man that hath an issue of seed, shall be unclean.

3And then shall he be judged subject to this evil, when a filthy humour, at every moment, cleaveth to his flesh, and gathereth there.

4Every bed on which he sleepeth, shall be unclean, and every place on which he sitteth.

5If any man touch his bed, he shall wash his clothes and being washed with water, he shall be unclean until the evening.

6If a man sit where that man hath sitten, he also shall wash his clothes: and being washed with water, shall be unclean until the evening.

7He that toucheth his flesh, shall wash his clothes: and being himself washed with water shall be unclean until the evening.

8If such a man cast his spittle upon him that is clean, he shall wash his clothes: and being washed with water, he shall be unclean until the evening.

9The saddle on which he hath sitten shall be unclean.

10And whatsoever has been under him that hath the issue of seed, shall be unclean until the evening. He that carrieth any of these things, shall wash his clothes: and being washed with water, he shall be unclean until the evening.

11Every person whom such a one shall touch, not having washed his hands before, shall wash his clothes: and being washed with water, shall be unclean until the evening.

12If he touch a vessel of earth, it shall be broken: but if a vessel of wood, it shall be washed with water.

13If he who suffereth this disease be healed, he shall number seven days after his cleansing: and having washed his clothes, and all his body in living water, he shall be clean.

14And on the eighth day he shall take two turtles, or two young pigeons, and he shall come before the Lord, to the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, and shall give them to the priest.

15Who shall offer one for sin, and the other for a holocaust: and he shall pray for him before the Lord, that he may be cleansed of the issue of his seed.

16The man from whom the seed of copulation goeth out, shall wash all his body with water: and he shall be unclean until the evening.

17The garment or skin that he weareth, he shall wash with water: and it shall be unclean until the evening.

18The woman, with whom he copulateth, shall be washed with water: and shall be unclean until the evening.

19The woman, who at the return of the month, hath her issue of blood, shall be separated seven days.

20Every one that toucheth her, shall be unclean until the evening.

21And every thing that she sleepeth on, or that she sitteth on in the days of her separation, shall be defiled.

22He that toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes: and being himself washed with water, shall be unclean until the evening.

23Whosoever shall touch any vessel on which she sitteth, shall wash his clothes: and himself being washed with water, shall be defiled until the evening.

24If a man copulateth with her in the time of her flowers, he shall be unclean seven days: and every bed on which he shall sleep, shall be defiled.

25The woman that hath still issue of blood many days out of her ordinary time, or that ceaseth not to flow after the monthly courses, as long as she is subject to this disease, shall be unclean, in the same manner as if she were in her flowers.

26Every bed on which she sleepeth, and every vessel on which she sitteth, shall be defiled.

27Whosoever toucheth them shall wash his clothes: and himself being washed with water, shall be unclean until the evening.

28If the blood stop and cease to run, she shall count seven days of her purification:

29And on the eighth day she shall offer for herself to the priest, two turtles, or two young pigeons, at the door of the tabernacle of the testimony:

30And he shall offer one for sin, and the other for a holocaust, and he shall pray for her before the Lord, and for the issue of her uncleanness.

31You shall teach therefore the children of Israel to take heed of uncleanness, that they may not die in their filth, when they shall have defiled my tabernacle that is among them.

32This is the law of him that hath the issue of seed, and that is defiled by copulation.

33And of the woman that is separated in her monthly times, or that hath a continual issue of blood, and of the man that sleepeth with her.

Important Verses in Leviticus 15

And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:

Leviticus 15:1

And on the eighth day he shall take two turtles, or two young pigeons, and he shall come before the Lord, to the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, and shall give them to the priest.

Leviticus 15:14

And he shall offer one for sin, and the other for a holocaust, and he shall pray for her before the Lord, and for the issue of her uncleanness.

Leviticus 15:30

And of the woman that is separated in her monthly times, or that hath a continual issue of blood, and of the man that sleepeth with her.

Leviticus 15:33

Historical Context

Leviticus addresses the priests (sons of Aaron) and the whole assembly of Israel within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 15 of 27 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 33 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Aaron and Moses, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:" The final verse reads: "And of the woman that is separated in her monthly times, or that hath a continual issue of blood, and of the man that…" In terms of historical background, Leviticus is the liturgical handbook of ancient Israel, given at Sinai to teach a newly freed people how to worship a holy God. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood

When It Was Written

Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:" The passage repeatedly touches on holiness before God.

Catholic exegesis reads Leviticus 15 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2683).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.

People in This Chapter

Aaron1 mentionMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

The central section of Leviticus—Chapter 15 of 27—opens a particular moment in the story of holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship.

According to Catholic teaching, Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). This chapter especially highlights Mary and the communion of saints, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 2105).

May your reading of Leviticus Chapter 15 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Leviticus Chapter 15 about?

Leviticus 15 contains 33 verses. It opens with "And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:" and closes with "And of the woman that is separated in her monthly times, or that hath a continual issue of blood, and of the man that…". The book as a whole is law and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Leviticus 15?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Leviticus Chapter 15?

This chapter mentions Aaron, Moses.

Who wrote Leviticus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood. Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

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