In the biblical context, the concept of "unclean things" is primarily rooted in the Old Testament, particularly within the Mosaic Law. The laws concerning cleanliness and uncleanliness were given to the Israelites as part of their covenant relationship with God, serving both practical and spiritual purposes. These laws are detailed extensively in the books of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Old Testament Context

The term "unclean" in the Old Testament is often associated with ritual impurity, which could result from various sources, including certain animals, bodily discharges, diseases, and contact with dead bodies. Leviticus 11 provides a comprehensive list of animals considered unclean, stating, "You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you" (Leviticus 11:8). This prohibition extended to touching the carcasses of unclean animals, which would render a person ceremonially unclean.

Leviticus 5:2-3 further elaborates on the consequences of touching unclean things: "Or if someone touches anything unclean—whether the carcass of an unclean wild animal, livestock, or crawling creature—even if he is unaware of it, he is unclean and guilty. Or if he touches human uncleanness—anything by which one becomes unclean—even if he is unaware of it, when he learns of it, he will be guilty."

The state of being unclean required specific rituals for purification, often involving washing, waiting periods, and sometimes sacrifices. These rituals underscored the holiness required to approach God and participate in communal worship.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from ritual purity to moral and spiritual purity. Jesus Christ challenged the Pharisaic emphasis on external cleanliness, emphasizing the importance of the heart's condition. In Mark 7:14-15, Jesus taught, "Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, but what comes out of a man, that is what defiles him."

The Apostle Paul also addressed the issue of unclean things in his letters. In 2 Corinthians 6:17, Paul exhorts believers, "Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." Here, the emphasis is on spiritual separation from sin and idolatry rather than adherence to ceremonial laws.

Theological Significance

The laws concerning touching unclean things highlight the holiness of God and the need for His people to be set apart. They served as a constant reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the necessity of atonement and purification. In the New Covenant, believers are called to pursue holiness through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, recognizing that true purity comes from within.

The transition from the Old to the New Testament reflects a shift from external observance to internal transformation, where the believer's relationship with God is marked by a heart purified by faith in Jesus Christ.