The concepts of defilement and purity are deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, serving as powerful symbols that convey spiritual truths and moral imperatives. These themes are woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating the nature of sin, the holiness of God, and the call to live a life set apart for divine purposes.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, defilement often pertains to ceremonial uncleanness, which could result from various sources, including contact with dead bodies, certain diseases, or consumption of unclean foods. Leviticus 11-15 provides detailed laws regarding what is considered clean and unclean, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity to approach God. For instance, Leviticus 11:44-45 states, "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, because I am holy."

The symbolism of defilement extends beyond physical impurity to encompass moral and spiritual corruption. The prophets frequently used the imagery of defilement to describe Israel's idolatry and unfaithfulness. In Ezekiel 36:17 , God declares, "Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds. Their conduct was like the uncleanness of a woman’s impurity in My sight."

Purity as Holiness

Purity, in contrast, symbolizes holiness and the state of being set apart for God. The Israelites were called to be a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding peoples. This call to purity is not merely external but also internal, as seen in Psalm 51:10 , where David prays, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

The sacrificial system, with its emphasis on atonement and cleansing, underscores the necessity of purity to maintain a relationship with God. The Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16, is a profound illustration of how God provides a means for His people to be purified from their sins.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfills and transcends the Old Testament laws of purity. He emphasizes the importance of inner purity over external rituals. In Mark 7:15 , Jesus teaches, "Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, but what comes out of a man, that is what defiles him." This shift highlights the heart's condition as the true measure of purity.

The apostle Paul further develops this theme, urging believers to live lives of purity as a reflection of their new identity in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 , he writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body."

Symbolism in Revelation

The Book of Revelation uses the imagery of defilement and purity to depict the ultimate triumph of God's holiness. The redeemed are described as wearing white robes, symbolizing their purity and righteousness through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). Conversely, those who are defiled are excluded from the New Jerusalem, as stated in Revelation 21:27 : "But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life."

Throughout Scripture, the symbolism of defilement and purity serves as a vivid reminder of the call to holiness and the transformative power of God's grace in the lives of His people.