In biblical theology, the concept of uncleanness is closely associated with the idea of abomination to God. The term "uncleanness" encompasses a range of physical, moral, and spiritual impurities that are considered detestable in the sight of God. The Bible provides numerous instances where uncleanness is explicitly linked to abominable practices, often requiring purification or repentance to restore a right relationship with God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the laws concerning uncleanness are primarily found in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. These laws were given to the Israelites to maintain holiness and purity as God's chosen people. Uncleanness could result from various sources, including dietary violations, skin diseases, bodily discharges, and contact with dead bodies. Each of these conditions required specific rituals for purification.

Leviticus 11 outlines dietary laws, declaring certain animals unclean and therefore abominable for consumption. "You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you" (Leviticus 11:8). The distinction between clean and unclean animals served as a constant reminder of the Israelites' call to holiness.

Leviticus 18 addresses moral uncleanness, particularly in the context of sexual immorality. Practices such as incest, adultery, and homosexuality are described as abominations. "You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22). These prohibitions underscore the importance of maintaining moral purity in accordance with God's standards.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently warned Israel about the consequences of uncleanness and abominable practices. Ezekiel, for example, condemned the idolatry and moral corruption of the people, which defiled the land and provoked God's wrath. "You have defiled yourselves with all your idols to this day" (Ezekiel 20:31). The prophets called for repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness to avoid divine judgment.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from ritual purity to moral and spiritual purity. Jesus challenged the Pharisees' emphasis on external cleanliness, teaching that true defilement comes from within. "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" (Mark 7:15). This teaching highlights the importance of inner purity and the transformation of the heart.

The Apostle Paul also addresses uncleanness in his epistles, urging believers to avoid behaviors that are inconsistent with their new identity in Christ. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists "sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery" among the acts of the flesh that are contrary to the Spirit. He exhorts the church to live by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Spiritual Implications

Uncleanness, as an abomination to God, carries significant spiritual implications. It represents a barrier to fellowship with God and a deviation from His holy standards. The call to holiness is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the need for believers to separate themselves from practices that defile and to pursue righteousness.

The concept of uncleanness serves as a powerful metaphor for sin and its corrupting influence. It underscores the necessity of atonement and the transformative power of God's grace. Through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are cleansed from all unrighteousness and empowered to live in purity and holiness.Leviticus 18:22
You shall not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
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Leviticus 20:13
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be on them.
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Deuteronomy 24:4
Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and you shall not cause the land to sin, which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance.
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Book 2
... God loves purity, we ought to put away from us all uncleanness. ... of the Eighth
Commandment is, that, since injustice is an abomination to God, he requires us ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/book 2.htm

Second Sunday in Lent
... Let us look back and note to what depths of darkness, of delusion and abomination,
we had ... As Paul expresses it, "God called us not for uncleanness, but in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday in lent.htm

Article I: of God.
... within our power), they could not see the inner uncleanness of the ... entire righteousness
of man is mere hypocrisy [and abomination] before God, unless we ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 1 article i of.htm

The Way to the Kingdom
... to all evil, to every abomination which God ... of men, and so robbing God of that ...
drunkenness, luxury or sensuality, fornication, uncleanness; variously defiling ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 7 the way to.htm

The Desire of a Lover after God is Shown: and the Cursed Love of ...
... the true drink of death: the array of abomination: the beguiling ... wicked lust, but
rather joys in his God; and neither anger nor uncleanness heavies him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter viii the desire of.htm

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as ...
... Secondly, The uncleanness of men's practice maketh unclean ... and indulgence, shall
separate between God's face and ... Your prayers are abomination, because of such ...
/.../the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi all our righteousnesses.htm

Concerning the Shamefulness of the Rites which are Celebrated in ...
... Nor was this abomination transacted in secret that some regard at ... gods; and that,
being righteously abandoned to uncleanness by the one true God, and being ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 concerning the shamefulness of.htm

Of Vows. The Miserable Entanglements Caused by Vowing Rashly.
... to suffer by the incitements of the flesh, and fall into uncleanness. ... not only of
no estimation in the sight of God, but are even an abomination, as has ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 of vows the.htm

"He is the Rock, his Work is Perfect, for all his Ways are ...
... Isaiah gets a discovery of his own uncleanness in the sight of God's glorious holiness ...
yet on the coast of that bottomless sea of abomination and vileness. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ii he is the.htm

The Old and New Testaments have Many Things in Common -- Far More ...
... present himself to Israel in the sevenfold fulness of satanic power and uncleanness. ...
7:26; 1 Kings 11:5-7). Sixth, this "abomination" or idol-god will be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the old and new testaments.htm

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