Defilement: Caused by Killing in Battle
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, defilement refers to a state of impurity or uncleanness that separates individuals from the holiness required by God. One specific cause of defilement mentioned in the Scriptures is the act of killing in battle. This concept is rooted in the understanding that life is sacred, and the taking of life, even in the context of warfare, results in a state of impurity that must be addressed according to the laws given by God.

The Old Testament provides several instances where killing in battle leads to defilement. In Numbers 31, the Israelites are commanded to wage war against the Midianites. After the battle, Moses instructs the soldiers regarding their purification: "Anyone who has killed a person or touched a dead body must stay outside the camp for seven days. You must purify yourselves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day" (Numbers 31:19). This directive underscores the belief that contact with death, even in the context of a divinely sanctioned battle, results in a state of impurity that requires ritual cleansing.

The requirement for purification after battle is further emphasized in the laws concerning warfare. Deuteronomy 23:9-14 outlines the need for maintaining holiness within the camp during military campaigns. The presence of God among the Israelites necessitated a state of ritual purity, and any form of defilement, including that caused by killing, had to be addressed to ensure God's continued presence and favor.

The concept of defilement through killing in battle is not limited to the physical act of taking life but extends to the spiritual and communal implications of such actions. The shedding of blood, even in warfare, is seen as a serious matter that affects the individual's relationship with God and the community's overall sanctity. This understanding is reflected in the broader biblical narrative, where the sanctity of life is a recurring theme, and the need for atonement and purification is consistently emphasized.

In the New Testament, while the focus shifts from ritual purity to moral and spiritual purity, the underlying principle of the sanctity of life remains. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize love, forgiveness, and reconciliation, which stand in contrast to the violence and defilement associated with killing. However, the New Testament does not explicitly address the issue of defilement from killing in battle, as the early Christian community was not primarily engaged in military activities.

Overall, the biblical perspective on defilement caused by killing in battle highlights the tension between the necessity of warfare in a fallen world and the call to holiness and purity before God. The laws and rituals prescribed in the Old Testament serve as a reminder of the gravity of taking life and the need for divine cleansing and restoration.
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

The Tabernacle of the Most High
... spread, there is no rejoicing, no killing of the ... The defilement of one stone in
rebuilding virtually mars ... Understand, our large expenditure is caused partly by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the tabernacle of the most.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... characters; [786] or how David, after having a number of wives, seduced the wife
of his soldier Uriah, and caused Uriah himself to be killed in the battle; [787 ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Resources
What does it mean that the marriage bed is undefiled (Hebrews 13:4)? | GotQuestions.org

If I am saved and all of my sins are forgiven, why not continue to sin? | GotQuestions.org

Is being holy even possible, since only God is holy? | GotQuestions.org

Defilement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Defilement

Defilement Defile

Defilement of Priests

Defilement of Sin

Defilement of Unholy Doctrines

Defilement: Caused by Childbirth

Defilement: Caused by Copulation

Defilement: Caused by Gonorrhea

Defilement: Caused by Killing in Battle

Defilement: Caused by Leprosy

Defilement: Caused by Menses

Defilement: Caused by Spermatorrhea

Defilement: Caused by Touching Carcass of an Unclean Thing

Defilement: Caused by Touching the Carcass of Any Ceremonially Unclean Animal

Defilement: Caused by Touching the Dead

Defilement: Causes of, Improperly Enlarged by Tradition

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Being Alone With a Dead Body

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Burning the Red Heifer

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Child Bearing

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Eating Things That Died

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Eating Unclean Things

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Gathering the Ashes of the Red Heifer

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Going Into a Leprous House

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Having a Leprosy

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Having an Issue

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Mourning for the Dead

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Sacrificing the Red Heifer

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Touching a Dead Beast

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Touching a Dead Body or a Bone

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Touching a Grave

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Touching an Unclean Person

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Touching Anything Defiled by an Issue

Defilement: Ceremonial, Abolished Under the Gospel

Defilement: Cleansed by Legal offerings

Defilement: Contact With Sinners Falsely Supposed to Cause

Defilement: Egyptian Usage, Concerning

Defilement: Forbidden to the Jews

Defilement: Laws Relating To

Defilement: Moral, Caused by Blood Shedding

Defilement: Moral, Caused by Following the Sins of the Heathen

Defilement: Moral, Caused by Giving Children to Molech

Defilement: Moral, Caused by Making and Serving Idols

Defilement: Moral, Caused by Seeking After Wizards

Defilement: Moral, Punished

Defilement: Neglecting Purification From, Punished by Cutting off

Defilement: Priests: Not to Eat Holy Things While Under

Defilement: Priests: Punished for Eating of the Holy Things While Under

Defilement: Priests: Specially Required to Avoid

Defilement: Priests: To Decide in all Cases of

Defilement: Things Liable to Ceremonial: Furniture

Defilement: Things Liable to Ceremonial: Garments

Defilement: Things Liable to Ceremonial: Houses

Defilement: Things Liable to Ceremonial: The Land

Defilement: Things Liable to Ceremonial: The Person

Defilement: Things Liable to Ceremonial: The Sanctuary

Defilement: Those Under, Removed from the Camp

Related Terms

Defile (63 Occurrences)

Purify (39 Occurrences)

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)

Purge (35 Occurrences)

Clean (298 Occurrences)

Impurity (42 Occurrences)

Uncleanness (56 Occurrences)

Foot (193 Occurrences)

Nazarite (8 Occurrences)

Outwardly (7 Occurrences)

Or (15123 Occurrences)

Gehenna (12 Occurrences)

Godless (31 Occurrences)

Fair (147 Occurrences)

Temples (17 Occurrences)

Totemism

Rail (8 Occurrences)

Revile (28 Occurrences)

Robbers (21 Occurrences)

Reverence (42 Occurrences)

Escaped (94 Occurrences)

Entangled (11 Occurrences)

Dominion (72 Occurrences)

Daring (5 Occurrences)

Defiles (12 Occurrences)

Despise (64 Occurrences)

Defiledst (1 Occurrence)

Defilements (1 Occurrence)

Dignitaries (3 Occurrences)

Defiling (10 Occurrences)

Morn (8 Occurrences)

Majesties (2 Occurrences)

Material (61 Occurrences)

Polluting (8 Occurrences)

Pollute (42 Occurrences)

Promises (35 Occurrences)

Purification (25 Occurrences)

Pure (160 Occurrences)

Perfecting (5 Occurrences)

Pollution (5 Occurrences)

Bier (3 Occurrences)

Corpse (18 Occurrences)

Contamination (3 Occurrences)

Contracted (2 Occurrences)

Corresponding (17 Occurrences)

Contaminates (1 Occurrence)

Craving (19 Occurrences)

Ceremonially (38 Occurrences)

Clear (641 Occurrences)

Corresponds (2 Occurrences)

Cheek (9 Occurrences)

Caiaphas's (1 Occurrence)

Cheekbone (1 Occurrence)

Chiefly (5 Occurrences)

Celestial (3 Occurrences)

Ceremonial (11 Occurrences)

Ablution

Angelic (6 Occurrences)

Arrogant (60 Occurrences)

Spittle (3 Occurrences)

Secure (78 Occurrences)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Spit (15 Occurrences)

Stuck (7 Occurrences)

Shechem (61 Occurrences)

Savior (60 Occurrences)

Red (124 Occurrences)

Shedding (23 Occurrences)

Purity (16 Occurrences)

Burial (25 Occurrences)

Slander (34 Occurrences)

Sickness (40 Occurrences)

Corruption (37 Occurrences)

Worse (62 Occurrences)

Asmoneans

Step (41 Occurrences)

Overcome (300 Occurrences)

Plagues (28 Occurrences)

Passion (82 Occurrences)

Defilement: Caused by Gonorrhea
Top of Page
Top of Page