Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of "impure" often relates to both physical and spiritual states that are considered unclean or defiled according to the laws and teachings found in Scripture. The notion of impurity is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, particularly within the Mosaic Law, and extends into the New Testament with spiritual implications.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, impurity is frequently associated with ceremonial uncleanness. The Book of Leviticus provides extensive guidelines on what constitutes impurity, including certain foods, bodily discharges, skin diseases, and contact with dead bodies. For instance,
Leviticus 11 outlines dietary laws, declaring certain animals impure and unfit for consumption: "You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you" (
Leviticus 11:8).
Impurity also extends to moral and ethical dimensions. The Israelites were called to be a holy people, set apart for God, and thus were instructed to avoid practices that would defile them spiritually. This included idolatry, sexual immorality, and other sinful behaviors. The prophets often rebuked Israel for their spiritual impurity, equating it with unfaithfulness to God.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles address the concept of impurity, often shifting the focus from external observances to the condition of the heart. Jesus challenged the Pharisees' emphasis on ritual purity, teaching that true impurity comes from within: "What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him" (
Mark 7:20). This teaching underscores the importance of inner purity over mere external compliance.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on spiritual impurity in his epistles, warning believers against behaviors that defile the body and spirit. In
Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists "sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery" among the acts of the flesh that are contrary to the life led by the Spirit. He exhorts Christians to live in holiness, emphasizing that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (
1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, impurity is understood as a barrier to fellowship with God. The sacrificial system in the Old Testament provided a means for atonement and cleansing from impurity, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, believers are offered purification from sin and are called to live in righteousness.
The call to purity is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, reflecting God's desire for His people to be holy as He is holy (
1 Peter 1:16). This call encompasses both moral and spiritual dimensions, urging believers to pursue a life that honors God in thought, word, and deed.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Not pure; not clean; tainted; dirty; foul; filthy; containing something which is unclean or unwholesome; mixed or impregnated extraneous substances; adulterated; as, impure water or air; impure drugs, food, etc.
2. (a.) Defiled by sin or guilt; unholy; unhallowed; -- said of persons or things.
3. (a.) Unchaste; lewd; unclean; obscene; as, impure language or ideas.
4. (a.) Not purified according to the ceremonial law of Moses; unclean.
5. (a.) Not accurate; not idiomatic; as, impure Latin; an impure style.
6. (v. t.) To defile; to pollute.
Greek
169. akathartos -- unclean,impure... unclean,
impure. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: akathartos Phonetic
Spelling: (ak-ath'-ar-tos) Short Definition: unclean,
impure Definition: unclean
...2839. koinos -- common
... Word Origin from sun Definition common NASB Word Usage common (3), common property
(1),impure (2), unclean (5), unholy (5). common, defiled, unclean, unholy....
Strong's Hebrew
2933. tamah -- to be stopped up, stupid... be defiled, be reputed vile. A collateral form of tame'; to be
impure in a religious
sense -- be defiled, be reputed vile. see HEBREW tame'. 2932b, 2933.
...5524. Sukkoth Benoth -- "booths of daughters," an Assyr.-Bab. god
... Succoth-benoth. From Cukkowth and the (irreg.) Plural of bath; booths of (the)
daughters; brothels, ie Idoalatrous tents forimpure purpose -- Succoth-benoth....
1739. daveh -- faint, unwell
... Word Origin from davah Definition faint, unwell NASB Word Usage faint (2),impure
thing (1), menstruous (1), woman who (1), woman who is ill (1)....
2932a. tumah -- uncleanness
... Word Origin from tame Definition uncleanness NASB Word Usage filthiness (4),impure
(2), impurities (3), impurity (3), unclean (1), unclean thing (3...
Library
Impure Zeal
... THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGSIMPURE ZEAL. 'And Jehu gathered all the people together,
and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but...
Impure Loves Ascribed to the Gods.
... Chapter XXI."Impure Loves Ascribed to the Gods. But should it be said
that they only had fleshly forms, and possess blood and...
The Scripture Passage: "To the Pure all Things are Pure, but to...
... The scripture passage: "To the pure all things are pure, but to theimpure and defiled
is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled," is...
An Objection Owing to the Fact that ManyImpure Persons have...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XV. An objection owing to the fact
that manyimpure persons have knowledge while saints have not....
Influence of the Moon and Stars on Men.
... us now, then, give heed to the very letter of the passage, and first let us inquire,
how he who has been cast into darkness and repressed by animpure and deaf...
Of the Way to Attain Divine Union
... He sends His own Wisdom before Him, as the last fire shall be sent upon earth to
destroy by its activity all that isimpure therein; and as nothing can resist...
Things Clean and Unclean According to the Law and the Gospel.
... to be good, it is possible for a man to sin who has taken them up in an evil way
and under the impulse of passion, and that these things calledimpure may be...
He Thinks, Besides, that those who Support the Cause of Christ by...
... of the prophets can give no proper answer in regard to statements in them which
attribute to God that which is wicked, shameful, orimpure; and assuming that...
Seventh Commandment
... An English army-officer in India who had been living animpure life went
around one evening to argue religion with the chaplain....
So, when You Allege that the Ornaments of the Heathen Deities are...
... "To the pure all things are pure: so, likewise, all things to theimpure
areimpure;" [411] but nothing is moreimpure than idols....
Thesaurus
Impure (28 Occurrences)... dirty; foul; filthy; containing something which is unclean or unwholesome; mixed
or impregnated extraneous substances; adulterated; as,
impure water or air
...Impurity (42 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The condition or quality of beingimpure
in any sense; defilement; foulness; adulteration. 2. (n...
Union (24 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:14 As one who lives in union with the Lord Jesus, I know and am certain
that in its own nature no food is 'impure'; but if people regard any food as...
Unclean (393 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not clean; foul; dirty; filthy. 2. (a.) Ceremonially
impure; needing ritual cleansing. 3. (a.) Morallyimpure. Int....
Regards (43 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:14 As one who lives in union with the Lord Jesus, I know and am certain
that in its own nature no food is 'impure'; but if people regard any food as...
Impurities (7 Occurrences)
Regard (230 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:14 As one who lives in union with the Lord Jesus, I know and am certain
that in its own nature no food is 'impure'; but if people regard any food as...
Nature (80 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:14 As one who lives in union with the Lord Jesus, I know and am certain
that in its own nature no food is 'impure'; but if people regard any food as...
Vile (59 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Morally base orimpure; depraved by sin; hateful; in the sight of God
and men; sinful; wicked; bad. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. VILE, VILLANY...
Uncover (35 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Leviticus 18:19 "'You shall not approach
a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she isimpure by her uncleanness....
Resources
What is the meaning of impurity in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are unclean spirits? Are unclean spirits demons? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of dross in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgImpure: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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