The term "defileth" is an archaic form of the verb "defile," which means to make unclean, impure, or unholy. In the context of the Bible, defilement often refers to actions, objects, or conditions that render a person or thing ceremonially unclean according to the laws and commandments given by God. This concept is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, where it is associated with moral, spiritual, and ritual purity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, defilement is frequently discussed in the context of the Mosaic Law. Various actions and conditions could defile a person, including contact with dead bodies, certain diseases, and the consumption of unclean foods. Leviticus 11-15 provides detailed laws regarding what is considered clean and unclean. For example, 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."

Defilement could also occur through idolatry and immoral behavior. In Ezekiel 20:7 , God commands the Israelites, "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.’" Here, defilement is linked to spiritual unfaithfulness and the worship of false gods.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ redefines the concept of defilement, emphasizing the condition of the heart over external rituals. In Mark 7:15 , Jesus teaches, "Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, but what comes out of a man, that is what defiles him." This statement shifts the focus from ceremonial laws to the moral and spiritual state of an individual.

The Apostle Paul also addresses defilement in his epistles, often in the context of moral purity and the sanctity of the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." Here, defilement is associated with actions that corrupt or harm the body and spirit.

Spiritual Implications

Defilement in the biblical sense is not merely about physical cleanliness but is deeply connected to one's relationship with God. It serves as a metaphor for sin and separation from God, highlighting the need for repentance and purification. The sacrificial system in the Old Testament provided a means for atonement and cleansing, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offers spiritual cleansing and reconciliation with God.

In summary, "defileth" encompasses a broad range of actions and conditions that separate individuals from the holiness of God. It underscores the importance of maintaining purity in both external actions and internal attitudes, as believers are called to live lives that reflect the holiness and righteousness of God.

For which Cause Our Lord Himself Also with his Own Mouth Saith...
... speeches of the Jews, in that they spake evil against His disciples, eating with
unwashen hands; "Not what entereth into the mouth," said He, "defileth the man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 4 for which cause.htm

Psalm CXXVI.
... But we have a mouth within, that is, in the heart, whence whatsoever proceedeth,
if it is evil, defileth us, if it is good, cleanseth us. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxvi.htm

Identity of Christ's Character.
... And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear and understand: Not that which
goeth into the mouth defileth a man, but that which cometh out of the ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter iv identity of christs.htm

Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
... principles, and to the common people the single instance], Hear me all of you, and
understand: ^a 11 Not that which entereth into the mouth defileth a man; but ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxv jesus fails to attend.htm

The Knowledge which Comes through Faith the Surest of All.
... and reflecting that "blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God;" [2265]
and knowing this, "that not what enters into the mouth defileth, but that ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xi the knowledge which comes.htm

Rejection of the Tradition of the Elders.
... This he said, making all meats clean. And he said, "That which proceedeth
out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/rejection of the tradition of.htm

Concerning the Word of the Mind, in which we See the Word of God ...
... then, are speeches of the heart, wherein the Lord also shows that there is a mouth,
when He says, "Not that which entereth into the mouth defileth a man; but ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 10 concerning the word of.htm

How what is Good in Its Own Nature Can be Distinguished from Other ...
... cannot be regarded as evil, unless intemperance and luxury or some other faults
are the result; "For not that which entereth into the mouth, defileth a man ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xvi how what is.htm

Christ's Discourse against the Merely Outward Cleanliness of the ...
... "Hear and understand; not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that
which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." Here Christ displays ...
/.../section 173 christs discourse against.htm

Epistle Liii. To John, Bishop.
... food, than that falsehood should come out of it for deceiving a neighbour; especially
when the Truth says, Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle liii to john bishop.htm

Defileth (12 Occurrences)
...Defileth (12 Occurrences). Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth
a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. ...
/d/defileth.htm - 10k

Proceedeth (21 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Matthew 15:11 Not that which entereth into the mouth defileth the
man; but that which proceedeth out of the mouth, this defileth the man. (ASV). ...
/p/proceedeth.htm - 13k

Entereth (40 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:11 Not that which entereth into the mouth defileth the man; but that
which proceedeth out of the mouth, this defileth the man. (ASV). ...
/e/entereth.htm - 18k

Defiling (10 Occurrences)

/d/defiling.htm - 9k

Unwashen (3 Occurrences)
... Unwashen (3 Occurrences). Matthew 15:20 These are the things which defile a man:
but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/u/unwashen.htm - 8k

Graves (37 Occurrences)
... seeth the graves that 'are' there in the mount, and sendeth and taketh the bones
out of the graves, and burneth 'them' on the altar, and defileth it, according ...
/g/graves.htm - 19k

Godlessness (3 Occurrences)
... Daniel 11:32 And those acting wickedly 'against' the covenant, he defileth by
flatteries; and the people knowing their God are strong, and have wrought. ...
/g/godlessness.htm - 7k

Flattery (11 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Daniel 11:32 And those acting wickedly 'against' the covenant, he defileth
by flatteries; and the people knowing their God are strong, and have wrought. ...
/f/flattery.htm - 9k

Dashed (26 Occurrences)
... Numbers 19:13 Whosoever toucheth a dead person, the body of a man that hath died,
and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of Jehovah; and that soul ...
/d/dashed.htm - 14k

Defilest (1 Occurrence)

/d/defilest.htm - 6k

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