157. Earthenware Unclean

From: Manners and Customs of the Bible By: James M. Freeman

• 1 min. read • grade level: 12

Leviticus 11:33³³And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it. (Leviticus 11:33). Every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them [that is the weasel, the mouse, and so forth, named in verses 29-30] falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.

This is an illustration of the great attention paid by the Jews to ceremonial purity. Earthenware, being porous, was capable of absorbing any uncleanness, and hence mere washing or scouring was not sufficient to purify it: it must be destroyed. For a reason precisely opposite to this, earthen vessels used in connection with the sin offering were destroyed, lest afterward any unclean thing should be put into them. See Leviticus 6:28²⁸But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken: and if it be sodden in a brazen pot, it shall be both scoured, and rinsed in water. (Leviticus 6:28).