Topical Bible: Defilement: Forbidden to the Jews

◄ Defilement: Forbidden to the Jews ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Defilement, in the context of the Hebrew Scriptures, refers to a state of impurity that separates individuals from the holiness required by God. The concept of defilement is deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law, which outlines various sources and consequences of impurity, as well as the means of purification. The laws concerning defilement are primarily found in the books of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Sources of Defilement

1. Contact with the Dead: One of the most significant sources of defilement was contact with a dead body. Numbers 19:11 states, "Whoever touches any dead body will be unclean for seven days." This form of defilement required a specific purification process involving the ashes of a red heifer (Numbers 19:2-10).

2. Leprosy and Skin Diseases: Leviticus 13-14 provides detailed instructions on diagnosing and handling leprosy and other skin diseases. Those afflicted were considered unclean and were required to live outside the camp until they were healed and ceremonially cleansed.

3. Bodily Discharges: Leviticus 15 addresses various bodily discharges, both normal and abnormal, that rendered a person unclean. This included menstruation, seminal emissions, and other discharges. Each required specific purification rituals.

4. Unclean Animals: The dietary laws in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 outline clean and unclean animals. Consuming or touching the carcasses of unclean animals resulted in defilement. Leviticus 11:24-25 states, "By these you will become unclean. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening."

5. Idolatry and Pagan Practices: Engaging in idolatry or adopting pagan practices was considered spiritual defilement. Deuteronomy 7:25-26 warns against bringing detestable things into one's home, as they would make the household accursed.

Consequences of Defilement

Defilement had both spiritual and communal consequences. Spiritually, it separated individuals from God, as impurity was incompatible with His holiness. Leviticus 11:44 commands, "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy." Communally, defilement could lead to exclusion from the camp or congregation, as seen in the case of lepers and those with certain discharges.

Purification and Restoration

The Mosaic Law provided means for purification and restoration to a state of ritual cleanliness. These often involved washing with water, offering sacrifices, and waiting for a specified period. For example, Leviticus 14 details the purification process for a cleansed leper, which included offerings and ceremonial washing.

Symbolism and Fulfillment

The laws of defilement and purification served as a constant reminder of the holiness required by God and the pervasive nature of sin. They pointed to the need for a greater, ultimate purification, which Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:13-14 reflects on this, stating, "For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?"

The concept of defilement underscores the importance of holiness and the separation from sin, which remains a central theme in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 11:44,45
For I am the LORD your God: you shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall you defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... know what separation Pharisaical Jews made between ... its rites should have been forbidden,
and that in social intercourse any levitical defilement, arising from ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ...
... of heathen soil was supposed to carry defilement, like corruption ... Jews were to avoid
passing through a city where ... was all cloth woven on it forbidden, but if ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in palestine -.htm

Titus i. 14-Dec
... who observe the same fasts, (with the Jews,) who keep ... Why then was the swine forbidden,
and many other things ... purity to be superior to all defilement, to touch ...
/.../homily iii titus i 14-dec.htm

The Dead Christ
... of the Sabbath and the ceremonial defilement of the ... contrary to the intention of
the Jews, refrained from ... whole, the breaking of its bones being forbidden. St. ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xxii the dead christ.htm

Archelaus's Ethnarchy is Reduced into a [Roman] Province. The ...
... they are stricter than any other of the Jews in resting ... after it, as if it were a
defilement to them. ... their legislator, or to eat what was forbidden them, yet ...
/.../chapter 8 archelauss ethnarchy is.htm

The Conversion of Cornelius.
... of the hours of prayer among the Jews, Peter having ... the animals were such as were
forbidden by the ... could not use them for food without contracting defilement. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiii the conversion of.htm

The Law of Christian Conscience.
... to them that they would contract defilement and guilt ... The Jews' consciences did not
get seared by their ... of a servant of some company which has forbidden him to ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xvi the law of christian.htm

Rom. Ii. 17, 18
... he sets down such advantages of the Jews, as came ... sacrilege?" [1249] For it was strictly
forbidden them to ... "in the idol temples") by reason of the defilement. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily vi rom ii 17.htm

Enmity Between Man and Satan.
... worldly wealth, pomp, or grandeur, that the Jews were led ... into sin when they ventured
into forbidden association with ... He can cause agony, but not defilement. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /30 enmity between man and.htm

Enmity Between Man and Satan
... worldly wealth, pomp, or grandeur that the Jews were led to ... into sin when they ventured
into forbidden association with ... He can cause agony, but not defilement. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 30 enmity between man.htm