The concepts of "clean" and "unclean" are pivotal in the biblical narrative, particularly within the Old Testament, where they are primarily associated with the ceremonial laws given to the Israelites. These terms are not merely about physical cleanliness but encompass a wide range of spiritual, moral, and ritual purity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the distinction between clean and unclean is most comprehensively outlined in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The laws concerning clean and unclean animals, for instance, are detailed in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Certain animals are deemed unclean and are not to be consumed by the Israelites. Leviticus 11:47 states, "You must distinguish between the clean and the unclean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not."

The laws extend beyond dietary restrictions to include various aspects of daily life, such as childbirth, skin diseases, and bodily discharges (Leviticus 12-15). For example, Leviticus 12:2 addresses the uncleanness associated with childbirth: "Say to the Israelites, 'A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period.'"

The purpose of these laws was to set the Israelites apart as a holy people, dedicated to God. Leviticus 20:26 emphasizes this calling: "You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own."

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from ceremonial laws to the moral and spiritual implications of cleanliness. Jesus Christ challenged the Pharisaic interpretation of these laws, emphasizing the importance of inner purity over external observance. In Mark 7:15 , Jesus declares, "Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, but what comes out of a man, that is what defiles him."

The Apostle Peter's vision in Acts 10 further illustrates the transition from the Old Testament ceremonial laws to the New Covenant understanding. In this vision, Peter is shown a sheet with all kinds of animals and is told, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:15). This revelation signifies the inclusion of Gentiles into the faith and the abrogation of dietary restrictions.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of clean and unclean in his epistles, particularly in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, where he discusses the freedom believers have in Christ concerning food and other practices. Romans 14:14 states, "I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean."

Spiritual and Moral Implications

The biblical teaching on clean and unclean extends beyond ritualistic observance to encompass spiritual and moral purity. The call to holiness remains a central theme, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

The distinction between clean and unclean serves as a metaphor for the believer's life, urging a separation from sin and a dedication to God. The emphasis is on the transformation of the heart and mind, aligning with the righteousness of Christ.Romans 14:14
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteems any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
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Hebrews 8:13
In that he said, A new covenant, he has made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.
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Mark 7:18-19
And he said to them, Are you so without understanding also? Do you not perceive, that whatever thing from without enters into the man, it cannot defile him;
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Acts 10:14
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
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Genesis 1:29
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
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Leviticus 11:1-47
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them,
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Genesis 7:2
Of every clean beast you shall take to you by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
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Clean and Unclean

Terms often used in the Bible in a ceremonial sense; assigned to certain animals, and to men in certain cases, by the law of Moses, Le 11:1-15:33 Numbers 19:1-22 De 14:1-29. A distinction between clean and unclean animals existed before the deluge, Genesis 7:2. The Mosaic law was not merely arbitrary, but grounded on reasons connected with animal sacrifices, with health, with the separation of the Jews from other nations, and their practice of moral purity, Le 11:43-45 20:24-26 De 14:2,3,21. The ritual law was still observed in the time of Christ, but under the gospel is annulled, Acts 10:9-16.

Ceremonial uncleanness was contracted by the Jews in various ways, voluntarily and involuntarily. It was removed, usually at the evening of the same day, by bathing. In other cases a week, or even forty or fifty days, and some sacrificial offerings, were required.

169. akathartos -- unclean, impure
... ak-ath'-ar-tos) Short Definition: unclean, impure Definition: unclean, impure. 169
(an adjective, derived from 1 "not" and 2513 , "clean, purged") -- properly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/169.htm - 7k2889. tahor -- clean, pure
... Word Origin from taher Definition clean, pure NASB Word Usage clean (51), pure
(40), purity (1), unclean* (2), who is clean (1). clean, fair, pureness. ...
/hebrew/2889.htm - 6k

2891. taher -- to be clean or pure
... him clean (1), pronouncing it clean (1), pure (2), purge (1), purged (2), purified
(5), purifier (1), purify (5), purifying (1), remain (1), unclean* (1). ...
/hebrew/2891.htm - 6k

Things Clean and Unclean According to the Law and the Gospel.
... Book XI. 12. Things Clean and Unclean According to the Law and the Gospel. "And
He called to Him the multitude and said unto them, Hear and understand, " etc. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/12 things clean and unclean.htm

January the Twenty-Eighth Clean and Unclean Anger
... JANUARY The Twenty-eighth CLEAN AND UNCLEAN ANGER. EPHESIANS iv.25-32.
"Let all anger be put away from you." And yet only a moment ...
/.../january the twenty-eighth clean and.htm

The Distinction Between Clean and Unclean Animals in the Law ...
... Chapter XVIII"The Distinction Between Clean and Unclean Animals in the Law Symbolical
of the Distinction Between the Church, and Jews, and Heretics. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xviiithe distinction between clean.htm

The Clean and the Unclean
... The distinction drawn between clean and unclean animals was, we think, intended
by God TO KEEP HIS PEOPLE ALWAYS CONSCIOUS THAT THEY WERE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the clean and the unclean.htm

Whether the Ceremonies of the Law were in Existence Before the Law ...
... Objection 4: Further, the distinction of clean from unclean animals belongs to the
ceremonies of observances, as stated above (Q[100], 2, A[6], ad 1). But this ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the ceremonies of the 2.htm

Peter's Apologia
... Clearly it swept away at once the legal distinction of clean and unclean meats,
and of it, too, may be spoken what Mark, Peter's mouthpiece, writes of earthly ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/peters apologia.htm

Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times.
... 146:7), that what had formerly been bound' or forbidden would be loosed' or allowed,
notably that the distinctions between clean and unclean animals would be ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xiv the law in.htm

Argument. --He First of all Asserts that the Law is Spiritual; and ...
... Genesis 9:3. The Noachic covenant was Catholic, and foreshadowed Acts 10:15, although
clean and unclean beasts were recognised as by natural classification. ...
/.../novatian/on the jewish meats/chapter ii argument he first of.htm

Children of Believers are Called "Clean" by the Apostle.
... Chapter 41."Children of Believers are Called "Clean" By the Apostle. The apostle
indeed says, "Else were your children unclean, but now are they holy;" [605 ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 41 children of believers are.htm

Argument. --And Thus Unclean Animals are not to be Reproached ...
... The creatures that are clean, it says, both chew the cud and divide the
hoof; the unclean do neither, or only one of the two. All ...
/.../novatian/on the jewish meats/chapter iii argument and thus unclean.htm

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