Semen, a vital component of human reproduction, is the male reproductive fluid containing spermatozoa. While the Bible does not explicitly discuss semen in scientific terms, it addresses related topics such as procreation, purity, and sexual conduct, which provide insight into the biblical perspective on this subject.

Biblical References and Context

1. Procreation and the Gift of Life: The Bible emphasizes the importance of procreation as part of God's design for humanity. In Genesis 1:28, God commands Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it." This directive underscores the role of semen in the continuation of human life, as it is essential for conception.

2. Purity Laws: The Old Testament contains specific laws regarding bodily emissions, including semen, which are primarily found in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 15:16-18 states, "When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his whole body with water and be unclean until evening. Any clothing or leather on which there is an emission of semen must be washed with water and be unclean until evening. If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water and be unclean until evening." These laws highlight the importance of ritual purity and the need for cleansing after sexual activity.

3. Onan's Sin: The account of Onan in Genesis 38:8-10 is often cited in discussions about semen and its intended purpose. Onan was instructed to fulfill his duty to his deceased brother by providing offspring through his brother's widow, Tamar. However, Onan "spilled his seed on the ground" to avoid producing offspring, which displeased the Lord, leading to his death. This passage is frequently interpreted as a condemnation of wasting semen and failing to fulfill familial and divine responsibilities.

4. Sexual Conduct and Morality: The New Testament continues to uphold the sanctity of sexual relations within the context of marriage. Hebrews 13:4 states, "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers." This reinforces the idea that semen, as part of the sexual act, should be reserved for the marital relationship, aligning with God's design for human sexuality.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, semen is viewed as a component of God's creation, integral to the divine plan for human reproduction and family life. The biblical emphasis on purity, responsibility, and the sanctity of marriage reflects a broader understanding of human sexuality as a gift from God, to be exercised within the boundaries He has established.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

In ancient Israelite culture, the laws concerning bodily emissions, including semen, were part of a broader system of ritual purity that governed daily life. These regulations served to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding nations and to maintain a sense of holiness and cleanliness in their relationship with God. While modern readers may find these laws culturally distant, they provide valuable insight into the historical context of biblical teachings on human sexuality and purity.1. (n.) The seed of plants.

2. (n.) The seed or fecundating fluid of male animals; sperm. It is a white or whitish viscid fluid secreted by the testes, characterized by the presence of spermatozoids to which it owes its generative power.

2231. zirmah -- an issue (a fluid)
... of zerem Definition an issue (a fluid) NASB Word Usage issue (2). issue. Feminine
of zerem; a gushing of fluid (semen) -- issue. see HEBREW zerem. 2230, 2231 ...
/hebrew/2231.htm - 6k

4325. mayim -- waters, water
... Dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice;
by euphemism, urine, semen -- + piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood ...
/hebrew/4325.htm - 6k

Whether the Semen is Produced from Surplus Food?
... OF THE PROPAGATION OF MAN AS TO THE BODY (TWO ARTICLES) Whether the semen
is produced from surplus food? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the semen is produced.htm

Whether the Intellectual Soul is Produced from the Semen?
... OF THE PRODUCTION OF MAN FROM MAN AS TO THE SOUL (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
the intellectual soul is produced from the semen? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the intellectual soul is 3.htm

Whether the Sensitive Soul is Transmitted with the Semen?
... OF THE PRODUCTION OF MAN FROM MAN AS TO THE SOUL (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
the sensitive soul is transmitted with the semen? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sensitive soul is.htm

Whether the First Sin of Our First Parent is Contracted by his ...
... Objection 3: Further, whatever is transmitted by way of human origin, is caused
by the semen. ... Much less, therefore, can the semen infect the soul. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the first sin of.htm

Qu??nam De Procreatione Liberorum Tractanda Sint.
... Neque vero seminandum est supra petram, neque semen est contumlia afficiendum, quod
quidem dux est et princeps generationis, estque substantia, qu?? simul ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter x name de procreatione.htm

De Utero, Et Conceptione Atque Sexibus.
... Sed illa dexterior masculinum continet semen, sinisterior foemininum; et omnino
in toto corpore pars dextra masculina est, sinistra veto foeminina. ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap xii de utero et conceptione.htm

Whether virginity Consists in Integrity of the Flesh?
... Objection 4: Further, corruption of the flesh consists chiefly in resolution of
the semen: and this may take place without copulation, whether one be asleep or ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether virginity consists in integrity.htm

Whether Original Sin is More in the Flesh than in the Soul?
... Now the soul is infected with the corruption of original sin by the carnal semen.
Therefore original sin is in the flesh rather than in the soul. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether original sin is more.htm

Whether the Flesh of Christ was Conceived of the virgin's Purest ...
... men's bodies. But other men's bodies are not formed from the purest blood
but from the semen and the menstrual blood. Therefore ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the flesh of christ 3.htm

Whether the Parts of the Vegetative Soul are Fittingly Described ...
... extrinsic source; whereas the generation of living things is in a higher way, through
something in the living thing itself, which is the semen containing the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the parts of the.htm

Semen (6 Occurrences)
...Semen (6 Occurrences). ... Leviticus 15:16 "'If any man has an emission of semen, then
he shall bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening. ...
/s/semen.htm - 8k

Seminal (5 Occurrences)
... Seminal (5 Occurrences). Leviticus 15:16 "'If any man has an emission of semen,
then he shall bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening. ...
/s/seminal.htm - 8k

Emission (7 Occurrences)
... Emission (7 Occurrences). Leviticus 15:16 "'If any man has an emission of semen,
then he shall bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening. ...
/e/emission.htm - 8k

Bathe (35 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 15:16 "'If any man has an emission of semen, then he shall bathe
all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening. ...
/b/bathe.htm - 18k

Evening (163 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 15:16 "'If any man has an emission of semen, then he shall bathe
all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening. ...
/e/evening.htm - 41k

Whereon (45 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY). Leviticus 15:17 Every garment, and every skin, whereon the
semen is, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the evening. ...
/w/whereon.htm - 20k

Issue (59 Occurrences)
... (2) (zirmah; yatsa' (verb); rhusis): A gushing of fluid (semen, Ezekiel 23:20; water,
47:8; blood, Luke 8:43). See next article. ISSUE (OF BLOOD). ...
/i/issue.htm - 29k

Thereby (42 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 15:32 This is the law of him who has a discharge, and of him who has an
emission of semen, so that he is unclean thereby; (WEB JPS ASV YLT RSV). ...
/t/thereby.htm - 18k

Pollution (5 Occurrences)
... impurity. 2. (n.) The emission of semen, or sperm, at other times than in sexual
intercourse. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. POLLUTION. ...
/p/pollution.htm - 8k

Semellius

/s/semellius.htm - 6k

Why were a husband and wife considered unclean after they had sexual relations? | GotQuestions.org

What are the bodily discharges mentioned in Leviticus 15, and why did they make a person unclean? | GotQuestions.org

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Semen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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