Topical Bible: Priest: Duties of Purify the Unclean

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In the Old Testament, the role of the priest was integral to the spiritual and communal life of Israel, particularly in the purification of the unclean. The priest acted as a mediator between God and the people, ensuring that the community remained holy and in right standing with God. The purification of the unclean was a significant aspect of the priestly duties, as outlined in the Mosaic Law.

Biblical Basis

The primary source for understanding the duties of priests in purifying the unclean is found in the Pentateuch, particularly in the books of Leviticus and Numbers. Leviticus 14 provides detailed instructions for the purification of individuals afflicted with skin diseases, commonly referred to as leprosy. The priest was responsible for examining the individual, performing rituals, and offering sacrifices to restore the person to ceremonial cleanliness. Leviticus 14:2-4 states, "This is the law of the one afflicted with a skin disease on the day of his cleansing, when he is brought to the priest. The priest is to go outside the camp to examine him, and if the skin disease of the afflicted person has healed, the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed."

In addition to skin diseases, priests were also involved in the purification of those who had come into contact with a corpse, as outlined in Numbers 19. The ritual involved the use of the ashes of a red heifer mixed with water, which was then sprinkled by the priest to cleanse the individual. Numbers 19:17-19 describes this process: "For the purification of the unclean person, take some of the ashes of the burnt sin offering, put them in a jar, and pour fresh water over them. Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He must also sprinkle anyone who has touched a human bone, a grave, or a person who has died or been slain."

Rituals and Sacrifices

The purification process often involved specific rituals and sacrifices, which the priest was required to perform meticulously. These rituals were not merely symbolic but were believed to effect real spiritual and communal restoration. The priest would offer sacrifices, such as sin offerings and burnt offerings, to atone for the impurity and to seek God's forgiveness and favor. Leviticus 14:19-20 explains, "Then the priest is to sacrifice the sin offering and make atonement for the one to be cleansed from his uncleanness. After that, the priest shall slaughter the burnt offering and offer it on the altar, together with the grain offering, to make atonement for him, and he will be clean."

Role of the Priest

The priest's role in purifying the unclean was both spiritual and communal. Spiritually, the priest acted as an intermediary, invoking God's mercy and cleansing power. Communally, the priest ensured that the individual could be reintegrated into the community, thus maintaining the social and religious fabric of Israel. The priest's duties required a deep understanding of the law, a commitment to holiness, and a compassionate heart for those seeking purification.

Significance

The purification of the unclean by the priest underscores the holiness of God and the need for His people to be pure. It highlights the seriousness of sin and impurity and the lengths to which God provided a means for restoration. The priestly duties in this regard foreshadow the ultimate purification and atonement brought by Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest, who cleanses believers from all sin and impurity.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 15:31
Thus shall you separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ...
... to presume to teach, or perform other duties of men ... of human nature, and humbly cover
and purify the stains ... But the high-priest had always to be ready for the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was any reasonable.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... How good was Joash while Jehoiada the priest lived ... Holy duties are the Jacob's ladder
by which he is still ... 32:15; 35:1), but the Spirit is like water to purify. ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

The Scripture Way of Salvation
... in all His offices, as our Prophet, Priest, and King ... are now more ashamed of our
best duties than formerly ... a clean thing out of an unclean," to purify the heart ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 43 the scripture way.htm

Blessed Prosperity Meditations on the First Psalm.
... traveller a refreshing shade, and they purify the air ... afford an opportunity of
glorifying GOD; duties in themselves ... than when, as our High Priest, He offered ...
/.../taylor/a ribband of blue/blessed prosperity meditations on the.htm

The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... to approach this pitiful sufferer was a priest, a man ... supposedly would be less burdened
by official duties and would ... is ready to pardon and to purify and to ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first stages ch.htm

Christianity Misunderstood by Believers.
... morsel of bread with wine, which will purify him still ... dead, on holidays to entertain
the priest and give ... directed to concealing the real duties of Christianity ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter iii christianity misunderstood by.htm

Introductory Notice Respecting Tauler's Life and Times
... prime necessity of providing instruction which should purify the streams of ... of love,
and ever places human duties on their ... you, if I were not a priest, I would ...
/.../introductory notice respecting taulers life.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... then that we have a great high priest, that is ... might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself ... saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... and its ashes were used to purify the children ... of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest,
exactly opposite ... anticipated the servants in all their duties, and when ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ...
... is so kind, why should his priest wish to ... severity as one of the principal duties,
and extol ... certain lineaments, they were enjoined to purify themselves beyond ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 of the discipline.htm