Introduction
C. Laws relating to ritual cleanliness chs. 11-15
A change of subject matter indicates another major division in Leviticus. We move now from narrative to more legislation. These five chapters pick up the idea introduced in Leviticus 10:10: ". . . make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean." This section of legislation culminates in chapter 16, the cleansing of the nation on the Day of Atonement. These chapters on purity help explain what uncleanness means and teach how the holiness of God requires cleansing and purification from the contaminations of this life.
"The Hebrew word tahor (traditionally, ’clean’) indicates ritual purity. Purity/’clean’ does not refer to hygiene but is contrasted with mixed or mongrel." [Note: Bruce K. Waltke, An Old Testament Theology, p. 467.]
"The regulations of the sacrifices and institution of the priesthood, by which Jehovah opened up to His people the way of access to His grace and the way to sanctification of life in fellowship with Him, were followed by instructions concerning the various things which hindered and disturbed this living fellowship with God the Holy One, as being manifestations and results of sin, and by certain rules for avoiding and removing these obstructions." [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, 2:357.]
The rationale behind the order of these various laws seems to be the length of time for uncleanness. Violation of dietary laws (ch. 11) resulted in uncleanness for hours, childbirth uncleanness (ch. 12) left the woman unclean for months, and skin and covering uncleanness (chs. 13-14) could mean uncleanness for years. Genital discharges (ch. 15) resulted in uncleanness for hours, weeks, or years. [Note: Hartley, p. 137.]
Be the first to react on this!
