Westminster Annotations, Leviticus · Chapter 15
CHAP. XV.
Vers. 2. OƲt of his flesh] Which is meant chiefly of a discase by Physicians called Gonorrhoea, but is more ordinarily known by the name in the margine of the Bible; which proceedeth from a weakenesse of nature, causing a feeblenesse in the retentive facultie, which may proceed from overstraining the strength in any wise; but especially by contemning the counsell of the Wise man, Prov. 31. 3. This differs from that emission of the seed which is casuall in sleepe, vers. 16. Deut. 23. 10. yet both did make a man ceremonially uncleane.
V. 3. be stopped] If it have runne, and afterwards be stopped, yet the precedent running shall be judged an uncleannesse; or if by obstruction or stoppage, the abundance of it be irritated, or provoked with more violence to issue out.
V. 4. Every bed whereon he lyeth] Such as this disease of leprosie is, is the infectious nature of sinne, defiling all that the wicked hath to do withall, Tit. 1. 15.
V. 8. he shall wash] That is, he that is splt upon.
V. 15. a sinne-offering] In respect of the ceremoniall uncleannesse; if it proceed meerly of infirmitie, of the retentive facultie, without the fault of the person, it is rather a sicknesse of weaknesse, then a sicknesse of wickednesse.
V. 16. wash] The time is not set downe for washing, but since the uncleannesse is limited to the evening, it is like the washing was to be the next morning after that the uncleannesse happened.
uncleannesses] These severall cases of uncleannesse serve for humiliation, and caution, in regard of the implied defilement and corruption cleaving to naturall actions, especially those which most appertaine to the propagation of mankind.
V. 18. The woman also] Though marriage be Gods holy Ordinance made in the state of innocencie, Gen. 2. 24. and in that respect it be honourable in all, and the bed undefiled, Heb. 13. 4. yet the exercise is not so undefiled in any, but that some imputations of guilt may be charged upon it.
V. 19. whosoever toucheth] This is to be meant of such as were of yeares of discretion, and were not to performe a necessary and charitable ministration to her person; not of infants or children in their minoritie, who were not capable of such prohibitions.
V. 20. in her separation] Whereby she is separate from her husband, from the Tabernacle, and from touching any holy thing.
V. 24. seven dayes] This is meant of meere lying with her, and of the uncleannesse which might be taken as a bed-fellow onelyonly, without any more familiaritie with her; for if in such a case he lay with her as with a wife, if the fact could be proved, they were to be put to death, Chap. 20. vers. 18. and this the rather, because by such commixtion a monstrous and leprous birth might be begotten.
V. 25. beyond the time] That is, beyond the usuall time of her female fluxes, the disease called by Physicians Hemorrboides, more vulgarly Emerods.
V. 30. uncleannesse] Not that it is a morall, and consequently a sinfull, but a meere ceremoniall uncleannesse.
V. 31. that they die not] There was danger of death in the breach of a ceremoniall law; that ceremoniall uncleannesse (especially if to it were joyned a carelesse neglect, or wilfull contempt) was capitall and deadly to the offending person; which may be a good admonition to Christians when they appeare before the Lord, especially in Prayer, to beware of all morall pollution which may shut Gods eare against their suits, Psalm. 66. 18. or move him when they aske bread and fish to feed them, to answer them with a stone to bruise them, or a serpent to bite them.
V. 31. defile my Tabernacle] By coming unto it, when by reason of their uncleannesse, they are by these ceremoniall ordinances to be separated from it.