Deuteronomy 23:11
New International Version
But as evening approaches he is to wash himself, and at sunset he may return to the camp.

New Living Translation
Toward evening he must bathe himself, and at sunset he may return to the camp.

English Standard Version
but when evening comes, he shall bathe himself in water, and as the sun sets, he may come inside the camp.

Berean Standard Bible
When evening approaches, he must wash with water, and when the sun sets he may return to the camp.

King James Bible
But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.

New King James Version
But it shall be, when evening comes, that he shall wash with water; and when the sun sets, he may come into the camp.

New American Standard Bible
But when evening approaches, he shall bathe himself with water, and at sundown he may reenter the camp.

NASB 1995
“But it shall be when evening approaches, he shall bathe himself with water, and at sundown he may reenter the camp.

NASB 1977
“But it shall be when evening approaches, he shall bathe himself with water, and at sundown he may reenter the camp.

Legacy Standard Bible
But it shall be when evening approaches, he shall bathe himself with water, and at sundown he may reenter the camp.

Amplified Bible
But when evening comes, he shall bathe in water, and at sundown he may return to the camp.

Christian Standard Bible
When evening approaches, he is to wash with water, and when the sun sets he may come inside the camp.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When evening approaches, he must wash with water, and when the sun sets he may come inside the camp.

American Standard Version
but it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall bathe himself in water; and when the sun is down, he shall come within the camp.

Contemporary English Version
until late afternoon. Then he must take a bath, and at sunset he can go back into camp.

English Revised Version
but it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall bathe himself in water: and when the sun is down, he shall come within the camp.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Toward evening he must wash, and at sunset he may come back to camp.

Good News Translation
Toward evening he is to wash himself, and at sunset he may come back into camp.

International Standard Version
As evening approaches he must wash himself with water. Then at sunset, he may return to the camp.

Majority Standard Bible
When evening approaches, he must wash with water, and when the sun sets he may return to the camp.

NET Bible
When evening arrives he must wash himself with water and then at sunset he may reenter the camp.

New Heart English Bible
but it shall be, when evening comes on, he shall bathe himself in water; and when the sun is down, he shall come within the camp.

Webster's Bible Translation
But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.

World English Bible
but it shall be, when evening comes, he shall bathe himself in water. When the sun is down, he shall come within the camp.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it has been, at the turning of the evening, he bathes with water, and at the going in of the sun he comes into the midst of the camp.

Young's Literal Translation
and it hath been, at the turning of the evening, he doth bathe with water, and at the going in of the sun he doth come in unto the midst of the camp.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was turning to evening, he shall wash in water: and as the sun went down he shall come into the midst of the camp.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And shall not return, before he be washed with water in the evening: and after sunset he shall return into the camp.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he shall not return before the evening, after he has washed with water, and then, after the sun sets, he shall return to the camp.

New American Bible
Toward evening, he shall bathe in water; then, when the sun has set, he may come back into the camp.

New Revised Standard Version
When evening comes, he shall wash himself with water, and when the sun has set, he may come back into the camp.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But when the evening comes on, he shall bathe himself with water; and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And at the time of evening he shall wash in water, and when the sun has set he shall enter within the camp.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall bathe himself in water; and when the sun is down, he may come within the camp.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it shall come to pass toward evening he shall wash his body with water, and when the sun has gone down, he shall go into the camp.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Uncleanness in the Camp
10If any man among you becomes unclean because of a nocturnal emission, he must leave the camp and stay outside. 11 When evening approaches, he must wash with water, and when the sun sets he may return to the camp. 12You must have a place outside the camp to go and relieve yourself.…

Cross References
Leviticus 15:13
When the man has been cleansed from his discharge, he must count off seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe himself in fresh water, and he shall be clean.

Numbers 19:7-8
Then the priest must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that he may enter the camp, but he will be ceremonially unclean until evening. / The one who burned the heifer must also wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he too will be ceremonially unclean until evening.

2 Samuel 11:2-4
One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home.

Leviticus 22:6-7
the man who touches any of these will remain unclean until evening. He must not eat from the sacred offerings unless he has bathed himself with water. / When the sun has set, he will become clean, and then he may eat from the sacred offerings, for they are his food.

Numbers 31:19-24
All of you who have killed a person or touched the dead are to remain outside the camp for seven days. On the third day and the seventh day you are to purify both yourselves and your captives. / And purify every garment and leather good, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.” / Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: ...

1 Samuel 21:4-5
“There is no common bread on hand,” the priest replied, “but there is some consecrated bread—provided that the young men have kept themselves from women.” / David answered, “Women have indeed been kept from us, as is usual when I set out. And the bodies of the young men are holy even on common missions. How much more so today!”

Leviticus 14:8-9
The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be ceremonially clean. Afterward, he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent for seven days. / On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair—his head, his beard, his eyebrows, and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean.

Exodus 19:10-15
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes / and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. / And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. ...

2 Kings 5:10
Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.”

Leviticus 11:25
and whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening.

Matthew 8:4
Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”

Mark 1:44
“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

Luke 5:14
“Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

John 11:55
Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover.

Acts 21:24-26
Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law. / As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.” / So the next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he entered the temple to give notice of the date when their purification would be complete and the offering would be made for each of them.


Treasury of Scripture

But it shall be, when evening comes on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.

when evening

Leviticus 11:25
And whosoever beareth ought of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 15:17-23
And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even…

cometh on [heb] turneth toward

Leviticus 14:9
But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.

Leviticus 15:5,11,13
And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even…

Leviticus 22:6
The soul which hath touched any such shall be unclean until even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he wash his flesh with water.

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Approaches Bath Bathe Camp Evening Midst Reenter Sun Sundown Sunset Tents Turning Wash Water Within
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Approaches Bath Bathe Camp Evening Midst Reenter Sun Sundown Sunset Tents Turning Wash Water Within
Deuteronomy 23
1. Who may or may not enter into the congregation
9. Uncleanness is to be avoided in the host
15. Of the fugitive servant
17. Of filthiness
18. Of abominable sacrifices
19. Of usury
20. Of vows
24. Of trespass














But when evening approaches
The phrase "when evening approaches" signifies a specific time of day, marking the transition from day to night. In the Hebrew context, the day begins at sunset, so evening is a significant time for reflection and preparation. The Hebrew word for evening, "ereb," often symbolizes a time of change or transition. This time of day is often associated with introspection and the end of daily labor, providing a moment to pause and prepare for the new day. In a spiritual sense, it can represent the end of a period of uncleanness or separation, as seen in this verse.

he must wash with water
The act of washing with water is a ritual purification process, deeply rooted in the Hebrew tradition. The Hebrew word "rachats" means to wash or bathe, and it is often used in the context of ceremonial cleansing. Water, in biblical symbolism, represents purification, life, and renewal. This act of washing signifies a physical and spiritual cleansing, preparing the individual to re-enter the community. It underscores the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the Israelites, reflecting God's desire for His people to be set apart and clean.

and when the sun sets
The setting of the sun marks the completion of the purification process. In the Hebrew culture, sunset signifies the end of one day and the beginning of another, a time of renewal and new beginnings. The phrase emphasizes the cyclical nature of time and the opportunity for restoration and reintegration into the community. The setting sun is a powerful symbol of God's faithfulness and the constancy of His creation, reminding believers of the rhythm of life ordained by God.

he may return to the camp
Returning to the camp signifies restoration and acceptance back into the community. The Hebrew word "machaneh" refers to the camp or encampment, which was the center of communal life for the Israelites. This return is not just a physical re-entry but also a spiritual and social reintegration. It highlights the importance of community and the restoration of relationships after a period of separation due to impurity. This phrase underscores the grace and mercy of God, who provides a way for His people to be cleansed and restored, reflecting the broader biblical theme of redemption and reconciliation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When evening
עֶ֖רֶב (‘e·reḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

approaches,
לִפְנֽוֹת־ (lip̄·nō·wṯ-)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

he must wash
יִרְחַ֣ץ (yir·ḥaṣ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7364: To wash, wash off or away, bathe

with water,
בַּמָּ֑יִם (bam·mā·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

and when the sun
הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ (haš·še·meš)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement

sets
וּכְבֹ֣א (ū·ḵə·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

he may return
יָבֹ֖א (yā·ḇō)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the camp.
הַֽמַּחֲנֶה׃‪‬ (ham·ma·ḥă·neh)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 23:11 But it shall be when evening comes (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 23:10
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