What does it mean to be unclean until evening?
Numbers 19:22
ESV - 22 And whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean, and anyone who touches it shall be unclean until evening.
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Asked April 15 2013
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Irene Freeman
Supporter
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Colin Wong
Supporter
According to Jewish law, "uncleanness" in this context is associated with sin and death. Those in contact with human corpse must keep away and undergo a cleansing ritual. There is practical implications if you imagine this as as containment exercise against diseases etc. From a pure speculation standpoint (I am not familiar with Jewish culture), it may be that the containment period "until evening" signifies end of day. In those days, a day is calculated from sunset to sunset, which is different from our modern culture of midnight to midnight. And so evening signifies the end of the day and the beginning of the next.
Jeremiah Hayes
Supporter
It is also important to remember that uncleanness does not necessarily imply sin. We know Christ touched corpses and even raised a few from the dead... yet was without sin. The law makes a distinction that one who is unclean cannot enter the tabernacle until made clean.
patrick o reilly
Supporter
In my opinion, you will be "unclean" until the specified time has passed because all the animals listed in leviticus 11 which must not be eaten or touched all harbour toxins and parasites in their DNA which can be readily passed to humans. Therefore you have to fast and cleanse the body for 24 hours to rid the body of toxins and parasites. This is why there are so many diseases in our modern society.
Keith Inglis
Supporter
To feel unwashed to me, is not to drink and bathe in his word, the word of GOD! on a daily basis I much prefer to be reading of creation in a comfy lounge,under a reading lamp or on a platform in my Executive Chair contributing to peoples seeking i.e. Answering this question, than being down on bended body five times a day with like minded followers, he asks us to be like his son! not his sons flock lol(lord oh Lord)
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