Excretions
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In the context of biblical literature, excretions refer to the natural bodily processes of eliminating waste. While the Bible does not extensively discuss the specifics of excretions, it does address related topics such as cleanliness, purity, and the handling of bodily waste, particularly in the context of the Israelite community and their covenantal relationship with God.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament law, particularly in the Pentateuch, provides guidelines for maintaining cleanliness and holiness among the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 23:12-14 , the Israelites are instructed on how to handle human waste while encamped: "You must have a place outside the camp to go and relieve yourself. And you must have a digging tool in your equipment so that when you relieve yourself, you can dig a hole and cover up your excrement. For the LORD your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you. Therefore, your camp must be holy, so that He will not see anything indecent among you and turn away from you."

This passage underscores the importance of maintaining a clean and holy environment, reflecting the broader biblical theme that God is holy and His people are called to be holy as well (Leviticus 11:44-45). The physical act of covering excrement is symbolic of the spiritual cleanliness required to dwell in the presence of a holy God.

Ritual Purity and Cleanliness

The Levitical laws also address issues of ritual purity, which can be affected by various bodily excretions. Leviticus 15 provides detailed instructions on how to handle bodily discharges, both for men and women, and the necessary steps for purification. For example, Leviticus 15:2-3 states, "Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any man has a bodily discharge, the discharge is unclean. This uncleanness is from his discharge, whether his body allows the discharge to flow or blocks it."

These laws served to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding nations and to instill a sense of the sacredness of life and the human body. The regulations also had practical health benefits, reducing the spread of disease within the community.

New Testament Considerations

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from ritual purity to moral and spiritual purity. Jesus addresses the issue of what truly defiles a person in Mark 7:15 : "Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, but what comes out of a man, that is what defiles him." Here, Jesus emphasizes that spiritual defilement comes from within, from the heart, rather than from external sources or physical excretions.

The apostle Paul also touches on the theme of bodily functions in a metaphorical sense. In Philippians 3:8 , he writes, "More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." The term "rubbish" (Greek: skubalon) can be understood as refuse or dung, illustrating the worthlessness of worldly gains compared to the value of knowing Christ.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The biblical treatment of excretions reflects broader cultural and theological themes. The emphasis on cleanliness and holiness in the Old Testament highlights the distinctiveness of God's people and their call to live in a manner that honors Him. In the New Testament, the focus on internal purity and the transformation of the heart underscores the new covenant established through Jesus Christ.

Overall, while excretions are a natural part of human life, the biblical narrative uses them to teach deeper spiritual truths about purity, holiness, and the nature of true defilement.
Library

Tobacco.
... and in the lungs themselves. Excretions such as this mean a violent wasting
away of vitality and power. Taken in large quantities ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/i tobacco.htm

The Epistle of St. Athanasius to the Monk Ammus.
... the mouth. Moreover we might add many things and explain how the excretions
from the belly are necessary to animal life. But if ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/iv the epistle of st.htm

Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ...
... The other precept (Dt.23) about covering up excretions, was just and becoming, both
for the sake of bodily cleanliness; and in order to keep the air wholesome ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was any reasonable.htm

Thesaurus
Excretions (2 Occurrences)
...Excretions (2 Occurrences). ... hath he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall,
that they may feed on their vilest excretions with you? (WBS). ...
/e/excretions.htm - 7k

Vilest (5 Occurrences)
... words? hath he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, that they may
feed on their vilest excretions with you? (WBS). Psalms ...
/v/vilest.htm - 7k

Excuse (13 Occurrences)

/e/excuse.htm - 11k

Excrement (3 Occurrences)

/e/excrement.htm - 7k

Bloody (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (a.) Containing or resembling blood; of the
nature of blood; as, bloody excretions; bloody sweat. 2 ...
/b/bloody.htm - 17k

Avoid (31 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) To empty. 2. (v.) To emit or throw out; to void;
as, to avoid excretions. 3. (v.) To quit or evacuate; to withdraw from. ...
/a/avoid.htm - 15k

Feed (117 Occurrences)
... these words? hath he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, that they
may feed on their vilest excretions with you? (WBS). 1 ...
/f/feed.htm - 39k

Devour (118 Occurrences)
... words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they
may devour their vilest excretions with you? (WBS). Isaiah ...
/d/devour.htm - 37k

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Concordance
Excretions (2 Occurrences)

2 Kings 18:27
But Rab-shakeh said to them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, that they may feed on their vilest excretions with you?
(WBS)

Isaiah 36:12
But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may devour their vilest excretions with you?
(WBS)

Subtopics

Excretions

Related Terms

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Nature (80 Occurrences)

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Visible (12 Occurrences)

Natures (12 Occurrences)

Needs (85 Occurrences)

Namely (81 Occurrences)

Necessity (22 Occurrences)

Overlook (7 Occurrences)

Outward (17 Occurrences)

Occasion (53 Occurrences)

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Felix (11 Occurrences)

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Transgression (70 Occurrences)

Rendered (30 Occurrences)

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Excused (3 Occurrences)

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Clearly (67 Occurrences)

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Case (138 Occurrences)

Perceived (57 Occurrences)

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Excrement
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