Deuteronomy 23:12

Uncleanness in the Camp · Deuteronomy 23:9–14
Read Deuteronomy 23

Translations

Modern
You must have a place outside the camp to go and relieve yourself.
Traditional
Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:
Literal
And a place shall be for you outside of the camp, and you may go there outside.
Latin
Habebis locum extra castra, ad quem egrediaris ad requisita naturæ,

Original

Hebrew
English
You must have a place outside the camp to go and relieve yourself.

Notes

outside the camp: Human waste is a normal bodily function. However, in Israel’s law it made a person ritually unclean (not fit for worship for a time).

Because God is holy, the camp had to remain clean. For this reason, people had to go outside the camp when relieving themselves.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes

Parallels

Leviticus 15:1–12

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of

Topics

Cleanliness: Regulation Relating To, in Camp Personal Hygiene Sanitation: Filth, Disposition of