And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even.
Parallel translations
- WEB “‘By these you will become unclean: whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening.
- BSB These creatures will make you unclean. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening,
- NKJV ‘By these you shall become unclean; whoever touches the carcass of any of them shall be unclean until evening;
- NASB ‘By these, moreover, you will be made unclean; whoever touches their carcasses becomes unclean until evening,
- NLT “The following creatures will make you ceremonially unclean. If any of you touch their carcasses, you will be defiled until evening.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Touching the carcasses of unclean creatures makes a person unclean until evening. Contact with death brings ceremonial defilement.
Overview
The text turns from eating to contact, teaching that uncleanness spreads through touching dead bodies. The defilement is temporary, lasting 'until the evening,' signaling that purification and restoration are available. This concern with death and defilement points to humanity's deeper need, met in Christ, who conquers death and cleanses his people from all defilement (Hebrews 9:13-14).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Lev 11:27–28And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even.
- Eph 2:1–3And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
- Eph 5:11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
- 1 Jn 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
- Col 2:20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
- Lev 11:31These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.
- Lev 17:15–16And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.
- Isa 22:14And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
- Heb 9:26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
- Lev 11:38–40But if any water be put upon the seed, and any part of their carcase fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you.
- Col 2:16–17Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
- 1 Cor 15:33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
- 2 Cor 6:17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
- Lev 11:8Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Every sacrifice, every priest, and every day of atonement points beyond itself to the one perfect offering and the great High Priest who, by his own blood, makes the unclean holy once for all.
How Leviticus 11:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.