In biblical theology, the concept of defilement is significant, encompassing both physical and spiritual impurity. Defilement often refers to actions, conditions, or substances that render a person or object unclean according to the laws and teachings found in the Scriptures. The Bible addresses defilement extensively, particularly in the Old Testament, where it is closely associated with the Levitical laws.

Old Testament Context

The Book of Leviticus provides detailed instructions on what constitutes defilement and how it can be remedied. Leviticus 11-15 outlines various sources of defilement, including certain foods, bodily discharges, skin diseases, and contact with dead bodies. For instance, Leviticus 11:44-45 states, "For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming creature that moves on the ground. For I am the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God; therefore you shall be holy, because I am holy."

Defilement is not limited to physical impurity but extends to moral and spiritual dimensions. In the prophetic literature, defilement often symbolizes idolatry and moral corruption. Ezekiel 20:7 admonishes, "And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’"

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ redefines the understanding of defilement, emphasizing the internal rather than the external. In Mark 7:15 , Jesus teaches, "Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him." This shift highlights the importance of the heart's condition over ritualistic observance.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme, urging believers to maintain purity in their conduct and thoughts. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 , Paul writes, "Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Spiritual Implications

Defilement in the biblical sense is deeply connected to the concept of holiness. The call to avoid defilement is a call to live a life set apart for God, reflecting His holiness. The Bible consistently portrays defilement as a barrier to fellowship with God, necessitating purification and repentance.

The sacrificial system in the Old Testament provided a means for cleansing from defilement, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who cleanses believers from all sin. Hebrews 9:13-14 explains, "For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!"

Practical Application

For Christians, the concept of defilement serves as a reminder to pursue holiness and avoid sin. It calls for vigilance in guarding one's heart and mind against influences that lead away from God. The New Testament encourages believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, striving for purity in all aspects of life. As 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts, "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.'"3393. miasma -- a stain, defilement
... 20). See 3392 (). Word Origin from miaino Definition a stain, defilement
NASB Word Usage defilements (1). pollution, foul deed. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3393.htm - 6k

John iv. 54; v. 1
... And first is given a water which purges the stains of our bodies, and those defilements
which are not, but seem to be, as those from touching the dead, [956 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxvi john iv 54.htm

Blessed be He that Ordained Baptism, for the Atonement of the Sons ...
... 7. Moses baptized the People in the midst of the sea, yet availed not"to wash their
heart within, that was full of the defilements of misdeeds. 8. Lo! ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn v blessed be he.htm

Second Journey through Galilee - the Healing of the Leper.
... These, as being capable of communicating further defilement, were designated Abhoth
hattumeoth - fathers of defilements' - the defilement which they produced ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv second journey through.htm

Modesty, the Flower of Manners
... to which heathendom itself bears such emphatic witness, that it strives to punish
that discipline in the persons of our females rather by defilements of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on modesty/chapter i modesty the flower.htm

"Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that ...
... I take the two fountains of all the pollutions, disorders, and defilements among
men, to be the inconsideration and ignorance of God, that eternal Spirit and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi who walk not.htm

"And the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son Cleanseth us from all Sin. ...
... That fountain of Christ's blood runs not dry but runs along with the believer, for
the cleansing of his after pollutions, of his defilements, even in the very ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv and the blood.htm

What is Sanctification?
... holy or free from sin; to cleanse from moral corruption or pollution; to make holy
by detaching the affections from the world and its defilements and exalting ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter i what is sanctification.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ...
... of Church members for this year, notwithstanding the zeal which had been displayed
in some sections of the Church to purify it from the defilements of slavery. ...
/.../chapter 14 from the close.htm

Of Patience under Personal violence and Malediction.
... how shall I be found to have followed the doctrine of the Lord, in which it has
been delivered that "a man is defiled, [9104] not by the defilements of vessels ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter viii of patience under personal.htm

The Case of a Heathen Whose Wife is Converted after Marriage with ...
... after conversion) too go prosperously forward, so as not to be thus harassed by
pressures, and straits, and hindrances, and defilements, having already (as it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/to his wife/chapter vii the case of a.htm

Defilements (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Defilements (1 Occurrence). 2 Peter 2:20 For if,
after they have escaped the defilements of the world through ...
/d/defilements.htm - 6k

Defilement (12 Occurrences)

/d/defilement.htm - 21k

Entangle (7 Occurrences)
... Christ," says Paul, does not "entangle himself," ie become involved, "in the affairs
of this life" (2 Timothy 2:4). Having "escaped the defilements of the world ...
/e/entangle.htm - 11k

Defiler (1 Occurrence)

/d/defiler.htm - 6k

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)
... Its principal agencies were water, alone, as in minor or indirect defilements, like
those produced by contact with the unclean (Leviticus 15:5-18, etc.); or ...
/c/cleanse.htm - 36k

Soul (554 Occurrences)
... organization. They are "spiritual beings freed from the assaults and
defilements of the flesh" (Delitzsch, in the place cited.). ...
/s/soul.htm - 47k

Red (124 Occurrences)
... A female is required again in the cases enumerated in Leviticus 5:1-6, most of which
are ritual defilements needing purification; a female was required at the ...
/r/red.htm - 77k

Heifer (22 Occurrences)
... A female is required again in the cases enumerated in Leviticus 5:1-6, most of which
are ritual defilements needing purification; a female was required at the ...
/h/heifer.htm - 30k

Talmud
... Numbers 19:2). See HEIFER, RED. (5) Teharoth, "Clean Things," euphemistically
for defilements. (6) Mikwa'oth, "Diving-Baths" (Leviticus ...
/t/talmud.htm - 37k

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