Uncleanness in the Bible is not just about washing hands or avoiding certain foods. It’s like a thread running through the whole story, connecting rituals, morals, and how people relate to God.
The Bible talks about unclean animals you shouldn’t eat and how, in the time of Jesus, he flipped the script, saying it’s more about what’s in your heart than following strict rules.
So, let’s take a trip through the Bible pages to understand what uncleanness means, how it affects people, and the ways they try to make things right with God. It’s like peeling back layers to see the bigger picture of this concept in the Bible.
What Is Uncleanness In The Bible
In the Bible, “uncleanness” often represents a state of impurity, and it is associated with sin. uncleanness is what separates man from God, it is what makes man not obey or listen to the voice of God. So as believers, we are called to live a pure and clean lifestyle that will give glory to our Father in heaven.
Uncleanness In The Bible
In the Bible, “uncleanness” often represents a state of impurity, and this concept is closely associated with sin. Uncleanness can refer to both physical impurity, such as ritual or ceremonial uncleanness, and moral/spiritual impurity, reflecting sinful thoughts and actions.
1. Physical Uncleanness
Physical uncleanness was associated with the Old Testament in the Old Testament, there are detailed laws about what makes a person ceremonially unclean.
Certain activities or conditions, like touching specific animals, dealing with a dead body, or having certain skin diseases, would make a person ritually impure.
While these regulations had a practical purpose for the Israelites, they also conveyed a deeper spiritual truth about the separation of sin and holiness. Here are some points with relevant scriptures to note
A. Touching Certain Animals
Leviticus 11:27 (NIV): “And all that walk on paws, among the animals that go on all fours, are unclean to you. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening.”
In this verse, the book of Leviticus outlines specific guidelines about what animals the Israelites were allowed to eat. Animals that walked on paws and had a particular way of moving were considered unclean.
If someone touched the carcass of such an animal, they would be considered ceremonially unclean until the evening. This was a part of God’s instructions to set the Israelites apart from other nations in their daily living.
B. Dealing with a Dead Body
Numbers 19:11-12 (NIV): “Whoever touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days. They must purify themselves with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then they will be clean. But if they do not purify themselves on the third and seventh days, they will not be clean.”
This verse discusses the ritual impurity associated with touching a dead human body. If someone had contact with a corpse, they would be considered unclean for seven days.
The purification process involved using a special water mixture on the third and seventh days. This ritual was designed to emphasize the seriousness of death and the need for a purification process before re-entering the community.
C. Certain Skin Diseases:
Leviticus 13:3 (NIV): “The priest is to examine the sore on the skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is a defiling skin disease.”
This verse addresses the inspection of skin diseases by the priest. The criteria for determining a defiling skin disease included changes in the color of the hair and the depth of the sore.
These regulations aimed to prevent the spread of contagious diseases within the community and again highlighted the importance of ritual cleanliness.
2. Moral and Spiritual Uncleanness
Moral and Spiritual Uncleanness is always associated with the New Testament. It is used to symbolize sin and moral impurity. In the New Testament, especially in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, there is a shift from an emphasis on external rituals to inner purity.
Jesus, for example, criticizes the Pharisees for outwardly appearing clean but inwardly being filled with sin. The Apostle Paul also speaks of the need for believers to live holy lives and be cleansed from sin through faith in Christ. Here are also points to consider.
A. Shift to Spiritual Purity
In the New Testament, Jesus challenges the traditional understanding of defilement. He teaches that true impurity doesn’t come from external things, like food or rituals, but from within a person’s heart. Jesus emphasizes the importance of inner attitudes and intentions.
Matthew 15:17-19 (NIV): “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
B. Symbolism of Moral Impurity
The New Testament frequently uses the imagery of uncleanness to symbolize moral impurity or sin. The Apostle Paul, in particular, addresses various behaviors that are considered morally impure.
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV): “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”
Colossians 3:5-9 (NIV): “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
These passages emphasize that true purity involves not just external actions but a transformation of the heart. The New Testament teaches that faith in Jesus Christ brings forgiveness and purification from sin.
Believers are encouraged to turn away from morally impure actions and cultivate virtues that reflect a heart transformed by the grace of God.
uncleanness in the bible kjv
Uncleanness in the Bible is divided into four parts, which are:
1. Uncleanness in the Old Testament
Leviticus 7:21 (KJV)
“Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing, as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.”
Leviticus 11:43 (KJV)
“Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby.”
Leviticus 15:31 (KJV)
“Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.”
Ezekiel 22:10 (KJV)
“In thee have they discovered their fathers’ nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution.”
Numbers 19:13 (KJV)
“Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.”
2. Jesus’ Teachings in the New Testament
Matthew 23:27 (KJV)
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”
Mark 7:20-23 (KJV)
“That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Luke 11:39 (KJV)
“And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.”
3. Moral Purity in the New Testament
1 Corinthians 5:11 (KJV)
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
Ephesians 5:5 (KJV)
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
4. Purification Through Christ in the New Testament
Hebrews 9:14 (KJV)
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
1 John 1:7 (KJV)
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
Acts 15:9 (KJV)
“And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”
Unclean Bible Verse New Testament
Matthew 10:34-36
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Matthew 15:26
“He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.'”
Matthew 19:12
“For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
Matthew 22:13
“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'”
Mark 7:27
“First let the children eat all they want,’ he told her, ‘for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.'”
Mark 10:14
“When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'”
Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
John 2:15
“So he made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.”
John 6:53-54
“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.'”
Acts 5:1-11
The story of Ananias and Sapphira, where they lie to the Holy Spirit and face severe consequences.
Romans 1:26-27
Discusses same-sex relations and is often cited in debates about homosexuality.
1 Corinthians 11:5-6
Discusses women praying or prophesying with their heads uncovered, which can be seen as controversial in modern contexts.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Talks about women being silent in church, which can be challenging for some readers.
1 Corinthians 15:29
Mentions a practice of baptizing the dead, which is not fully explained and has led to various interpretations.
Ephesians 6:5
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.”
Colossians 3:22
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”
1 Timothy 2:11-12
Talks about women learning in quietness and submission, which can be controversial in contemporary discussions about gender roles.
1 Timothy 6:1-2
“All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.”
Revelation 2:20-23
Condemns a woman named Jezebel and her actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jesus say about uncleanness?
Jesus takes this opportunity to challenge the prevailing understanding of uncleanness. Instead of focusing on external rituals and cleanliness codes, Jesus shifts the emphasis to the condition of the heart. He teaches that true defilement comes from within a person, emanating from the heart’s state. The examples he provides include evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
By doing so, Jesus challenges the externalism and legalism of religious practices. He criticizes the Pharisees for their preoccupation with outward appearances while neglecting the internal matters of the heart. In doing this, Jesus is advocating for a deeper, more transformative righteousness. He highlights that adhering to external rituals without addressing the internal condition of the heart is insufficient for true purity.
In essence, Jesus emphasizes that genuine cleanliness is not achieved through adhering to external rules alone but through an inner transformation. He urges his followers to focus on cultivating a heart that is aligned with love, justice, and compassion.
This perspective challenges the traditional understanding of uncleanness prevalent in his time and encourages a more profound, spiritual interpretation of purity and holiness. The emphasis on the heart’s condition as the source of true uncleanness underscores the transformative nature of Jesus’ teachings and the call to a more authentic and heartfelt relationship with God.
What is an example of unclean in the Bible?
The Old Testament provides specific regulations about clean and unclean animals for dietary purposes, the New Testament, especially through Jesus’ teachings, emphasizes that true uncleanness is a matter of the heart and inner attitudes rather than external practices alone.
What are the consequences of uncleanness in the Bible?
The consequences of uncleanness in the Bible involve temporary separation from the community and, in some cases, exclusion from religious activities due to ceremonial or ritual impurity. Uncleanness often required specific purification rituals, such as offerings and bathing, symbolizing the restoration of spiritual and ceremonial purity.
In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes internal purity, shifting the focus from external rituals to the condition of the heart. Consequences are depicted as a separation from God, emphasizing the need for repentance and transformation to restore spiritual wholeness.
Conclusion
So, we’ve been talking about this thing called “uncleanness” in the Bible, and it’s not just about washing hands or what animals you eat. It’s like a big story that shows up in different parts of the Bible, talking about rules, rituals, and how we connect with God.
From the Old Testament saying certain animals are a no-go to Jesus saying it’s more about what’s in our hearts, it’s a journey through how people understood and dealt with uncleanness. It’s not just about punishment; it’s about getting things right with God.
As we’ve been going through these stories, we saw that being unclean sometimes meant being separated or excluded. But it’s not just about rules – there’s a bigger message. It’s about changing, saying sorry, and fixing our connection with God.
Uncleanness in the Bible is like a mirror, showing us what’s going on inside us. It’s a challenge to look at ourselves, admit when we mess up, and try to make things better in our connection with God. So, it’s not just about being clean on the outside; it’s about making our hearts right. That’s the real story of uncleanness – a chance to start fresh in our relationship with the divine.
