Leviticus 15:1

Leviticus 15:1 says, And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,  Verse two adds, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, because of his issue he is unclean.  Matthew Henry basically says it didn't matter what this was referring to, but whatever the cause of the condition, it would be leaving stains behind.  Verse three continues, And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it is his uncleanness.   This continues to refer to his issue, which could be interpreted as a running sore.  Verse four states, Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean.  Anywhere the man laid down or sat would be considered unclean, so this would have to be something contagious.  Verse five adds, And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.  Anyone who just touched the man's bed was to wash his or her clothes and bathe and be considered unclean the rest of the day.  Verse six continues, And he that sitteth on any thing whereon he sat that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.  Even sitting where the man sat would make a person unclean, and the one sitting where the man sat was to wash his or her clothes and himself or herself.  Verse seven says, And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.  Touching the person had the same effect and proscription to make on clean again.  Verse eight adds, And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.  This would seem to be a deliberate attempt to infect someone else, and we only have to look at the news today to know that people would still do this.  Verse nine continues, And what saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue shall be unclean.   Even a saddle that the man rode on would be considered unclean.  Verse ten states, And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.  Touching or carrying anything that the man touched would make the person unclean, and once more that person would have to wash his or her clothes and bathe himself or herself.  Verse eleven adds, And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.  If the man with the issue touched someone without washing his hands, that person was to be considered unclean.  Even then, the importance of washing ones hands to prevent the transfer of a disease was recognized.  Verse twelve continues, And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.  Earthen vessels were to be broken if the man touched them, and vessels made of wood were to be washed.  Verse thirteen declares,  And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.  After the man was cleansed of this running sore, he was to wait seven days, then bathe himself, wash his clothes, and be declared clean.  Verse fourteen adds, And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest:  The eighth day, the man was to bring a sacrifice to the priest of two turtledoves or two young pigeons.  Verse fifteen continues, And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt.  The priest was to offer one of the birds for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.  Simply being physically clean was not enough, but the man had to be spiritually clean as well, just as we must today.  Verse sixteen states, And if any man’s seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even.  I believe this refers to a sexual situation, and it would make the man unclean until evening.  Verse seventeen adds, And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the Lord for his issue.  Once more, the priest would make an offering for the man, after the man had washed his clothes and himself.