The concept of pollution in the Bible often refers to the defilement or corruption of what is considered holy, pure, or sacred. This defilement can be physical, moral, or spiritual, and it is frequently addressed in both the Old and New Testaments. The term "pollute" and its derivatives are used to describe actions that desecrate or profane what God has declared to be holy.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, pollution is often associated with the defilement of the land, the sanctuary, or the people of Israel. The Israelites were given specific laws to maintain purity and holiness, as seen in the Levitical code. For instance, Leviticus 18:24-28 warns against defiling the land through immoral practices: "Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its iniquity, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants."

The pollution of the sanctuary is another significant theme. Ezekiel 5:11 states, "Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable idols and abominations, I Myself will withdraw, and I will not look on you with pity, nor will I spare you." Here, the presence of idols and abominations in the temple is seen as a direct affront to God's holiness.

Moral and Spiritual Pollution

Moral and spiritual pollution is addressed through the prophets, who often called the people of Israel to repentance. Isaiah 24:5 highlights the spiritual defilement of the earth: "The earth is polluted by its inhabitants, for they have transgressed laws, violated statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant." This verse underscores the connection between sin and the corruption of the world.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the concept of pollution shifts more towards the internal and spiritual state of individuals. Jesus emphasizes the importance of inner purity over external rituals. In Mark 7:20-23, He teaches, "What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man."

The Apostle Paul also addresses spiritual pollution in his letters. In 2 Corinthians 7:1, he urges believers to cleanse themselves from all defilement: "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."

Holiness and Separation

The biblical call to avoid pollution is closely tied to the call for holiness and separation from sin. Believers are encouraged to live lives that reflect God's holiness, avoiding anything that would corrupt or defile their relationship with Him. This is seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16, which states, "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.'"

Conclusion

The biblical understanding of pollution encompasses a wide range of defilements, from physical and ceremonial to moral and spiritual. The consistent message throughout Scripture is the call to maintain purity and holiness, reflecting the character of God in all aspects of life.2610. chaneph -- to be polluted or profane
... root Definition to be polluted or profane NASB Word Usage completely polluted (1),
pollute (1), polluted (6), pollutes (1), turn to godlessness (1). ...
/hebrew/2610.htm - 6k

Easter Wednesday Also Suited to Easter Tuesday.
... cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit." By defilement of the
spirit he means those secret, subtle vices wherewith man pollutes and corrupts ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter wednesday also suited to.htm

And Lest it Should Seem that Necessary Continence was to be Hoped ...
... brought to pass by means of the door of Continence, that there go not forth thence
that, which, even when the lips of the flesh are closed, pollutes the life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 2 and lest it.htm

Our Instructor's Treatment of Our Sins.
... And He says that it pollutes by defiling the soul: wherefore He prescribes the cure
with all speed, advising the head to be instantly shaven; that is ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii our instructors treatment of.htm

Commandment Fifth. Of Sadness of Heart, and of Patience.
... seeks to depart. For he is choked by the vile spirit, and cannot attend
on the Lord as he wishes, for anger pollutes him. For the ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/commandment fifth of sadness of.htm

In Fulfilment of Our Plan, Let us Now Go on to Consider the ...
... What wonder, then, if idolatry pollutes the combat-parade with profane crowns, with
sacerdotal chiefs, with attendants belonging to the various colleges, last ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xi in fulfilment of.htm

The First Petition Is, Hallowed be Thy Name. ...
... On the other hand, the petition implies a wish that all impiety which pollutes this
sacred name may perish and be extinguished, that everything which obscures ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 41 the first petition.htm

Epistle Lx. To Euchratius, About an Actor.
... instructing and teaching in what way a man may be broken down into a woman, and
his sex changed by art, [2646] and how the devil who pollutes the divine image ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lx to euchratius about.htm

Another Example
... Sometimes in that hot season there falls the honey-dew of a certain false
sweetness, which pollutes the fruit, or utterly spoils it. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxvi another example.htm

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our ...
... is represented in God's sight, as it dishonours that glorious Majesty, and hath
manifest rebellion in it against him, and as it defiles and pollutes our spirits ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xix if we confess.htm

Of the Senses, and their Pleasures in the Brutes and in Man; and ...
... For he who reckons it a pleasure, that a man, though justly condemned, should be
slain in his sight, pollutes his conscience as much as if he should become a ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xx of the senses and.htm

Pollutes (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pollutes (1 Occurrence). Numbers 35:33 "'So you
shall not pollute the land in which you are: for blood, it ...
/p/pollutes.htm - 6k

Expiation (9 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:33 "'So you shall not pollute the land in which you are: for blood, it
pollutes the land; and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood ...
/e/expiation.htm - 11k

Defiler (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who defiles; one who corrupts or violates; that
which pollutes. Multi-Version Concordance Defiler (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/defiler.htm - 6k

Pollute (42 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:33 "'So you shall not pollute the land in which you are: for blood, it
pollutes the land; and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood ...
/p/pollute.htm - 19k

Polluteth (2 Occurrences)

/p/polluteth.htm - 7k

Polluters (1 Occurrence)

/p/polluters.htm - 6k

Pure (160 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Free from that which harms, vitiates, weakens, or pollutes;
genuine; real; perfect; -- applied to things and actions. ...
/p/pure.htm - 39k

Soil (59 Occurrences)
... ones. 10. (n.) That which soils or pollutes; a soiled place; spot; stain.
Multi-Version Concordance Soil (59 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/s/soil.htm - 23k

Shed (73 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:33 "'So you shall not pollute the land in which you are: for blood, it
pollutes the land; and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood ...
/s/shed.htm - 32k

Therein (269 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:33 "'So you shall not pollute the land in which you are: for blood, it
pollutes the land; and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood ...
/t/therein.htm - 36k

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