Deuteronomy 23:10 Meaning and Explanation
“If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A man made unclean by nighttime discharge must leave the camp temporarily.
The Context of Deuteronomy 23:10
Managing uncleanness within the military camp.
What Does Deuteronomy 23:10 Mean?
Nocturnal emission made a man unclean under Levitical law. The affected individual was required to leave the camp immediately, maintaining separation until evening purification was complete. This protected the camp's holiness status during military campaign.
The next verse details the purification process: the man must wash himself when evening comes and may return after sunset. This cyclical purity system allowed for restoration through water and time rather than permanent exclusion.
Deuteronomy 23:10 in the Original Language
uncleanness (טומאה, tumah) — ritual impurity requiring water-based purification; distinct from moral wrongdoing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 23:10
What does Deuteronomy 23:10 mean?
A man made unclean by nighttime discharge must leave the camp temporarily.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 23:10?
Managing uncleanness within the military camp.