Female discharge, also known as vaginal discharge, is a natural bodily function experienced by women as part of the reproductive system. The Bible has several references to female discharge and menstrual blood that provide guidance on understanding it from a biblical perspective.
Overview of Female Discharge in the Bible
In the Bible, female discharge is most commonly referred to in relation to ritual impurity and cleansing laws. Several passages refer to a woman’s “flow” or “issue” of blood, often translated as “discharge” in some Bible versions.
Leviticus 15 provides instructions for how to handle discharge from both male and female reproductive systems. It specifies that any person who has a bodily discharge is ritually unclean and must bathe and wash their clothes before they can be considered clean again. Contact with discharge also makes objects and other people ritually unclean.
A woman’s menstrual discharge in particular is addressed in Leviticus 15:19-30. This passage states that a woman is unclean during the entire duration of her menstrual period. Anything she sits or lies on during this time is unclean, and anyone who touches these things or the woman herself will be unclean until evening.
Female discharge outside of the normal menstrual period could be considered abnormal and result in more extensive ritual impurity. Leviticus 15:25-30 covers a case of a woman who has a discharge of blood for many days outside her normal time. In order to become ritually clean, she must wait seven days after the discharge stops and then offer sacrifices before she can be declared clean.
Purposes of Biblical Laws About Discharge
Several potential purposes exist behind the Bible’s laws regarding female discharge:
- Promote hygiene and prevent spread of infection – By requiring isolation and washing, contamination could be limited.
- Set apart the reproductive system – By restricting sexual contact during menstruation, female discharge was given special religious significance.
- Establish order and control – The laws created structure around a natural bodily process that could be unpredictable.
- Differentiate from pagan practices – Some pagan rituals used menstrual blood, so God may have wanted his people to avoid associating it with the occult.
New Testament Teaching
In the New Testament, Jesus brought a new perspective to the Old Testament laws around ritual purity and impurity. When questioned by religious leaders why his disciples did not follow ritual handwashing customs, Jesus responded:
Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them. (Matthew 15:10-11)
This teaching indicates a shift away from ritual purity defined by physical things like discharge. Instead, Jesus placed the emphasis on spiritual purity defined by someone’s words and heart attitudes.
However, the New Testament does not specifically address female discharge or overturn the legitimacy of the Old Testament instructions. But it does suggest that ritual purity laws should not be over-emphasized or used as a basis for judging others.
Principles for Modern Christians
When interpreting Old Testament purity laws in modern times, Christians derive several principles:
- Ritual purity is no longer required – Morality and inward holiness are more important.
- Care for physical health still matters – Practicing hygiene aligns with biblical values.
- Menstruation is not unclean – Having a positive perspective of female biology is suitable today.
- Set apart sexuality for marriage – While not requiring abstinence during menstruation, reserving sex for marriage is beneficial.
Overall, Christians are not bound to obey the ritual purity laws around discharge, but some foundational values behind them can still apply. With the help of modern science and an understanding of biblical principles, Christians can develop a healthy, holistic approach to female discharge.
Common Questions About Discharge and the Bible
Was female discharge considered dirty or shameful?
The Old Testament purity laws do not indicate that female discharge was inherently dirty or shameful. Rather, it caused ritual impurity, which was a symbolic religious concept. Normal discharge associated with menstruation did not even require atonement sacrifices to become pure, just washing and waiting. Abnormal discharge outside the normal menstrual cycle did require sacrifices, likely due to medical concerns.
Should a woman abstain from sex during her period?
The Bible prohibits sexual relations during menstruation in Leviticus 18:19. However, New Testament principles suggest this specific law was intended for ritual purity which is no longer applicable. Many Christians believe couples can prayerfully decide for themselves about sex during menstruation.
Could women participate in religious activities during menstruation?
No, menstruating women were ritually unclean and would not have participated in temple worship or making sacrifices while on their period. They had to isolate until finished and go through the purification process before returning to religious duties. But again, Christians are not restricted from religious duties due to menstruation today.Did discharge make someone permanently unclean?
No, normal female discharge during menstruation only made a woman unclean for the duration of her period. After stopping, she would wash, wait until evening, and be ritually pure again. Abnormal discharge could require a seven day waiting period and sacrifice before becoming pure. But there were clear procedures for anyone with discharge to transition back to purity.
Could discharge contaminate other people or objects?
Yes, anyone or anything contacting discharge became ritually unclean according to the Bible’s laws. But this was temporary uncleanness, not permanent contamination. Washing and isolating for a period of time were adequate remedies.
Conclusion
The Bible approaches female discharge from a perspective of ritual purity and impurity, setting it apart as something special relating to sexuality and reproduction. While Christians are no longer bound by these ritual laws, they can still apply principles of hygiene and morality when approaching issues around female discharge in modern times. With science and wisdom, Christians can develop perspectives that celebrate female biology while practicing biblical values of sexual wholeness.