Topical Bible: Defilement: Caused by Touching the Dead

◄ Defilement: Caused by Touching the Dead ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, defilement refers to a state of ritual impurity that separates an individual from the community and the worship of God. One significant cause of defilement in the Old Testament is contact with a dead body. This concept is rooted in the holiness code given to the Israelites, which emphasizes the separation between life and death, purity and impurity.

Biblical Basis

The primary scriptural basis for defilement through contact with the dead is found in the Book of Numbers. Numbers 19:11-13 states: "Whoever touches any dead body will be unclean for seven days. He must purify himself with the water on the third day and the seventh day, and then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself on the third and seventh days, he will not be clean. Anyone who touches a dead body and fails to purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person must be cut off from Israel because the water of purification was not sprinkled on him; he is unclean; his uncleanness remains on him."

This passage outlines the process of purification required to restore ritual cleanliness. The defilement incurred by touching a dead body is not merely a physical impurity but a spiritual one that affects the individual's relationship with God and the community.

Ritual Purification

The purification process involves the use of the "water of purification," which is prepared with the ashes of a red heifer, as detailed in Numbers 19:1-10. This ritual underscores the seriousness of defilement and the necessity of following God's commandments to maintain holiness. The water of purification is a symbol of cleansing and restoration, allowing the individual to re-enter the community and participate in worship.

Theological Significance

The defilement caused by touching the dead highlights the biblical theme of life versus death. In the biblical worldview, God is the source of life, and death is a consequence of sin. Therefore, contact with death represents a departure from God's holiness. The laws concerning defilement serve as a constant reminder of the need for purity and the separation from sin and death.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not emphasize ritual purity laws to the same extent as the Old Testament, the concept of defilement remains significant. Jesus' ministry often involved interactions with the dead, such as raising Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:35-43) and Lazarus (John 11:1-44), demonstrating His authority over death and impurity. These acts signify the transition from the old covenant, where defilement required ritual cleansing, to the new covenant, where Jesus provides ultimate purification through His sacrifice.

Practical Implications

For the Israelites, the laws regarding defilement by touching the dead served to maintain the sanctity of the community and the tabernacle. They were a constant reminder of the need for holiness and the separation from anything that could defile. In contemporary Christian practice, while the specific rituals are not observed, the underlying principles of purity, holiness, and separation from sin continue to hold spiritual significance.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 19:11-22
He that touches the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 31:19,20
And do you abide without the camp seven days: whoever has killed any person, and whoever has touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Missed Ends
... from this initiation were to be caused to revert ... how hard it is to refrain from touching
those whom ... over, they are purified from the defilement contracted by ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter vi missed ends.htm

"Thou Canst Make Me Clean"
... It caused the people to flock to Him in such ... sought to prevent their Master from
touching him; for he ... His hand upon the leper, Jesus received no defilement. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 27 thou canst make.htm

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ...
... 4846] to warn the passer-by against defilement. ... It must have been a deeply touching
scene: the ... and not indignation, which once more caused that Theanthropic ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxi the death and.htm

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... the first have been seducers; they caused the fall ... fulfilled the prophecy of heaven
touching the Lamb ... earth, dwelleth safely there and suffers no defilement.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

Wagner -- I am a Voice
... The evil from which it suffers is defilement. ... have we deprived it of its proper nature
and caused it to ... Never is the voice more touching than when it is lifted ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/wagner i am a.htm

The Gospel According to St. Mark
... when the woman with the issue of blood caused Him to ask ... all things are possible
unto Thee," in the touching filial appeal ... Teaching about defilement (vii.1-23). ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter iv the gospel according.htm

On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ...
... when it is said, The spirit of whoredom caused them to ... eyes, and fled from the sight,
and escaped the defilement? ... But as touching Elias who was taken up, and ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xvi on the article.htm

The visit and Homage of the Magi, and the Flight into Egypt
... its outward surroundings, however precious or touching they might ... also, like Israel,
had lost the defilement of the ... Matthew may have been caused by a Targumic ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii the visit and.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... There is a Trinity as touching the distinction of ... which shall rise from the dead
except this ... there contracted those dispositions which caused the diversities ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... righteousness of the moral law, saying, 'Touching the righteousness ... God hath raised
him from the dead, thou shalt ... he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm