Overview
The Bible addresses menstruation across 20 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Leviticus, Genesis and Ezekiel. Closely related themes include Sanitation, Purification, Abraham and Chiding. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Abraham and Sarah.
Key Bible verses about menstruation
Old Testament
Genesis
Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.
Leviticus
And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. put: Heb. in her separation
And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.
And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
And if it be on her bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even.
And if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean.
And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean.
Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation.
And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.
And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness.
And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people. discovered: Heb. made naked
Ezekiel
And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.
People in the Bible and menstruation
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying menstruation for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 18:11, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Leviticus, Genesis and Ezekiel each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Abraham and Sarah and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Sanitation, Purification, Abraham and Chiding.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about menstruation?
The Bible addresses menstruation across 20 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Leviticus, Genesis and Ezekiel. Closely related themes include Sanitation, Purification, Abraham and Chiding. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Abraham and Sarah.
How many Bible verses are about menstruation?
The Bible references menstruation in 20 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention menstruation?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 18:11: “Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with menstruation?
Abraham and Sarah.
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