Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, certain animals are designated as "unclean" and are associated with ritual impurity, particularly when they are dead. The concept of uncleanness is primarily found in the Old Testament, where it is detailed in the Mosaic Law. The laws concerning clean and unclean animals are outlined in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, serving as a guide for the Israelites in maintaining ritual purity.Biblical References: 1. Leviticus 11:24-28 : "These creatures will make you unclean. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening, and whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening. Every animal with hooves not completely divided or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you; whoever touches them will be unclean. All the four-footed animals that walk on their paws are unclean for you; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening, and anyone who picks up their carcasses must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening. They are unclean for you." This passage specifies that touching the carcasses of unclean animals results in uncleanness until evening. The requirement to wash clothes further emphasizes the need for purification after contact with these animals. 2. Leviticus 11:29-31 : "Of the creatures that move along the ground, these are unclean for you: the mole, the mouse, and any kind of great lizard; the gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the skink, and the chameleon. These are unclean for you among all the swarming creatures. Whoever touches them when they are dead will be unclean until evening." This section extends the list of unclean animals to include certain small creatures and reptiles, reinforcing the principle that contact with their dead bodies results in temporary impurity. 3. Leviticus 11:32-35 : "When one of them dies and falls on something, that article—whatever its use—will be unclean, whether it is made of wood, cloth, leather, or sackcloth. Put it in water; it will be unclean until evening, and then it will be clean. If any of them falls into a clay pot, everything in it will be unclean, and you must break the pot. Any food that could be eaten but has water on it from such a pot is unclean, and any drink that could be drunk from it is unclean." The impurity extends beyond direct contact, affecting objects and food that come into contact with the carcasses of unclean animals. This highlights the pervasive nature of ritual impurity and the need for careful observance of cleanliness laws. Theological Implications: The laws regarding unclean animals and the impurity associated with their dead bodies serve several purposes within the biblical narrative. They are a part of the broader holiness code that distinguishes the Israelites from other nations, emphasizing their unique covenant relationship with God. The distinction between clean and unclean animals also serves as a constant reminder of the need for spiritual purity and obedience to God's commandments. The concept of uncleanness is not merely about physical hygiene but is deeply tied to the spiritual and communal life of the Israelites. It underscores the importance of holiness and the separation from anything that defiles, reflecting the holiness of God Himself. The laws also foreshadow the ultimate purification and redemption found in Christ, who fulfills the law and offers cleansing from all impurity. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 5:2Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcass of an unclean beast, or a carcass of unclean cattle, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Titus i. 14-Dec Sanctification Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ... Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ... The Seventh Commandment Jew and Gentile Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ... Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus. Book Three the Story of his Student Days in Carthage, his ... Resources What are the four beasts in Daniel chapter 7? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of lions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org How should a Christian respond to bullying? | GotQuestions.org Beasts: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Beasts: Capable of Being Tamed Beasts: Clean used for Sacrifice Beasts: Clean: First Born of, not Redeemed Beasts: Clean: How Distinguished Beasts: Creation of, Exhibits God's Power Beasts: Devoid of Understanding Beasts: Differ in Flesh from Birds and Fishes Beasts: Domestic: Not to be Cruelly Used Beasts: Domestic: To be Taken Care of Beasts: Domestic: To Enjoy the Sabbath Beasts: Early Distinguished Into Clean and Unclean Beasts: Frequently Suffered on Account of the Sins of Men Beasts: Given to Man for Food After the Flood Beasts: Habitations of Dens and Caves Beasts: Habitations of Deserted Cities Beasts: Habitations of Under Spreading Trees Beasts: Herb of the Field Given To, for Food Beasts: History of, Written by Solomon Beasts: Instinctively Fear Man Beasts: Lessons of Wisdom to be Learned From Beasts: Made for the Praise and Glory of God Beasts: Man by Nature No Better Than Beasts: Many Kinds of, Domestic Beasts: Many Kinds of, Noisome and Destructive Beasts: No Likeness of, to be Worshipped Beasts: Not to be Eaten Alive or With Blood Beasts: Often Cut off for the Sins of Men Beasts: Often Used As Instruments of Punishment Beasts: People of Different Nations Beasts: Power Over, Given to Man Beasts: Received Their Names from Adam Beasts: Representations of, Worshipped by the Heathen Beasts: Subjects of God's Care Beasts: Supply Clothing to Man Beasts: That Died Naturally or Were Torn, not to be Eaten Beasts: Unclean: Caused Uncleanness when Dead Beasts: Unclean: First Born of, Redeemed Beasts: Unclean: How Distinguished Beasts: Unclean: Not offered in Sacrifice Related Terms |