The concept of "defilement" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the understanding of holiness and purity, both in physical and spiritual terms. To defile something is to make it unclean or impure, thereby rendering it unsuitable for sacred use or in violation of God's commandments. This entry explores the various dimensions of defilement as presented in the Scriptures.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, defilement is often associated with ceremonial uncleanness. The Law of Moses provides detailed instructions on what constitutes defilement and how it can be remedied. Leviticus 11-15 outlines various sources of defilement, including certain foods, bodily discharges, skin diseases, and contact with dead bodies. For instance, Leviticus 11:44-45 states, "For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming creature that moves on the ground."

Defilement could also occur through moral and spiritual transgressions. Idolatry, sexual immorality, and injustice are seen as defiling acts. In Ezekiel 20:7 , God commands the Israelites, "And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’"

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ redefines the understanding of defilement, emphasizing the condition of the heart over external rituals. In Mark 7:15 , Jesus teaches, "Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him." This shift highlights the importance of inner purity and the moral state of an individual.

The Apostle Paul also addresses defilement in terms of moral and spiritual purity. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 , he writes, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." Here, defilement is linked to actions that corrupt the body and spirit, which are considered the temple of God.

Spiritual Implications

Defilement in the biblical sense is not merely about physical impurity but extends to spiritual and moral dimensions. It represents a breach in the relationship between God and His people. The call to holiness is a recurring theme, urging believers to live in a manner that reflects God's purity and righteousness.

The Bible also provides a means of cleansing from defilement, primarily through repentance and the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, which foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:13-14 explains, "For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on 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?"

Conclusion

The biblical teaching on defilement underscores the seriousness with which God views sin and impurity. It calls believers to a life of holiness, reflecting the character of God, and offers the hope of cleansing and restoration through faith in Jesus Christ.4695. spiloo -- to stain, defile
... stain. See 4696 (). Word Origin from spilos Definition to stain, defile
NASB Word Usage defiles (1), polluted (1). defile, spot. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4695.htm - 6k

2840. koinoo -- to make common
... See 2839 (). Word Origin from koinos Definition to make common NASB Word Usage consider
(2), defile (7), defiled (2), defiles (3). call common, defile, pollute. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2840.htm - 7k

2930. tame -- to be or become unclean
... defiled (3), become unclean (6), becomes unclean (13), becoming unclean (1), been
defiled (2), defile (25), defiled (38), defilement (1), defiles (5), defiling ...
/hebrew/2930.htm - 6k

Eating with Unwashed Heart Defiles the Man.
... Book XI. 15. Eating with Unwashed Heart Defiles the Man. Next to this let
us see how the things which proceed out and defile the ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/15 eating with unwashed heart.htm

The Answer to the Effect that Bad Men Cannot Possess True ...
... hid," [1912] how can we hold that he who has scorned to find Christ, or, when He
is found blasphemes Him with impious lips, or at least defiles the Catholic ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xvi the answer to.htm

Whether the Unnatural vice is the Greatest Sin among the Species ...
... Now the order of charity requires that a man love more those persons who are united
to him"-and such are those whom he defiles by incest"-than persons who ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the unnatural vice is 2.htm

Whether Gluttony is a Sin?
... Therefore, since every sin defiles a man, it seems that gluttony is not a sin.
Objection 2: Further, "No man sins in what he cannot avoid" [*Ep. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether gluttony is a sin.htm

Letter Lv. To Amandus.
... But fornication defiles the fornicator both in conscience and body; and in accordance
with the words of the Lord, "for this cause shall a man leave father and ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lv to amandus.htm

That the Ruler Should be Discreet in Keeping Silence, Profitable ...
... by the incautious importunity of loquacity; and this same loquacity, which knows
not how to serve for the profit of the hearers, also defiles the speaker. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter iv that the ruler.htm

On the Different Functions of Modesty. ...
... if we pay so much attention to things like these, how much more careful ought we
to be to let nothing shameful proceed out of our mouth, for that defiles a man ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xviii on the different.htm

After the Scripture.
... Hence it is presumption when, aspiring to be God, man refuses to remain His image,
defiles it in himself, and undertakes to represent God in gold or silver. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/viii after the scripture.htm

Original Sin
... As whatever the leper touched became unclean; such a leprosy is original sin; it
defiles our prayers and tears. We cannot write without blotting. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 original sin.htm

Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew
... Teaching of Origen on the "Bread of the Lord.". 15. Eating with Unwashed
Heart Defiles the Man. 16. Concerning the Canaanitish Woman. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/

Defiles (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Defiles (12 Occurrences). ... Mark 7:20 He said, "That which
proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. (WEB DBY NAS RSV). ...
/d/defiles.htm - 9k

Goes (472 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:11 It is not what goes into a man's mouth that defiles him; but it is
what comes out of his mouth--*that* defiles a man." (WEY BBE DBY RSV NIV). ...
/g/goes.htm - 35k

Him'unclean (3 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:11 It is not what goes into a man's mouth that defiles him; but it is
what comes out of his mouth--*that* defiles a man." (See NIV). ...
/h/him'unclean.htm - 7k

Filth (21 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Foul matter; anything that soils or defiles; dirt; nastiness. 2. (n.) Anything
that sullies or defiles the moral character; corruption; pollution. Int. ...
/f/filth.htm - 17k

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

Man's (347 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:11 It is not what goes into a man's mouth that defiles him; but it is
what comes out of his mouth--*that* defiles a man." (WEY NIV). ...
/m/man's.htm - 35k

Proceeds (20 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:11 That which enters into the mouth doesn't defile the man; but that
which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." (WEB NAS). ...
/p/proceeds.htm - 12k

Shephelah (2 Occurrences)
... then, taking the name in this more limited sense, rises the steep wall of the mountain,
into which access is gained only by narrow and difficult defiles. ...
/s/shephelah.htm - 15k

Defile (63 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:11 That which enters into the mouth doesn't defile the man; but that
which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY ...
/d/defile.htm - 38k

Forth (1639 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:11 Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man; but what goes
forth out of the mouth, this defiles the man. (DBY YLT). ...
/f/forth.htm - 36k

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