Leviticus 11:33

And every earthen vessel, whereinto [any] of them falleth, whatsoever [is] in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.

And every earthen {H2789} vessel {H3627}, whereinto any of them falleth {H5307}{H8432}, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean {H2930}; and ye shall break {H7665} it.

If one of them falls into a clay pot, whatever is in it will become unclean, and you are to break the pot.

If any of them falls into a clay pot, everything in it will be unclean; you must break the pot.

And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean, and it ye shall break.

Commentary

Leviticus 11:33 is a specific instruction within the broader context of the Mosaic Law concerning ritual purity and defilement.

Context

This verse is part of Leviticus Chapter 11, which outlines the dietary laws and regulations for clean and unclean animals for the Israelites. The primary purpose of these laws was to teach God's people about holiness and separation, distinguishing them from the surrounding nations. Verses 29-31 list specific "creeping things" that were considered unclean, such as weasels, mice, and lizards. Verse 33 addresses what happens when one of these unclean creatures dies and falls into an "earthen vessel." Unlike vessels made of wood, clothing, or skin, which could be purified by washing (as mentioned in Leviticus 11:32), earthen vessels were porous and absorbed the defilement, making them impossible to cleanse.

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Separation: The verse underscores God's demand for His people to live a life set apart from defilement, both literally and spiritually. This was crucial for maintaining the sanctity of the Israelite camp and their relationship with a holy God (Leviticus 11:44-45).
  • Pervasive Nature of Uncleanliness: The instruction to break the vessel highlights that certain types of defilement are deeply ingrained and cannot be superficially removed. The porous nature of clay meant the impurity permeated the entire object.
  • Radical Purity: God's law required decisive action against contamination. There was no compromise or partial cleansing for these specific earthen vessels; complete destruction was necessary to prevent the spread of impurity.

Linguistic Insights

The term "earthen vessel" is from the Hebrew keli cheres (ื›ึฐึผืœึดื™ ื—ึถืจึถืฉื‚), literally "vessel of pottery." This emphasizes its composition from clay, which is porous. The command to "break it" (Hebrew: shabar, ืฉึธืื‘ึทืจ) signifies complete destruction, leaving no possibility for its continued use or potential for future defilement. The concept of "unclean" (Hebrew: tameh, ื˜ึธืžึตื) in this context refers to ritual impurity, which could prevent participation in worship or access to sacred spaces, rather than necessarily moral sin.

Practical Application

While the literal application of this law ceased with the New Covenant and the sacrifice of Christ, the underlying spiritual principles remain profound. This verse teaches us about the seriousness of defilement and the need for radical separation from anything that contaminates our spiritual lives. Just as the earthen vessel absorbed impurity, our hearts and minds can be deeply affected by sinful influences. Some forms of spiritual contamination, like deep-seated habits or corrupting relationships, cannot merely be "washed" but require a decisive break or removal. It reminds believers of the importance of vigilance against sin and the need to protect our "vessels" (our bodies and spirits) from defilement (2 Corinthians 6:17). The ultimate cleansing comes through God's Word and the redemptive work of Christ, which purifies us from all unrighteousness (John 15:3).

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 6:28

    But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken: and if it be sodden in a brasen pot, it shall be both scoured, and rinsed in water.

  • Leviticus 15:12

    And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.

  • Jeremiah 48:38

    [There shall be] lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein [is] no pleasure, saith the LORD.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:1

    ยถ For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:8

    We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

  • Leviticus 14:45

    And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the morter of the house; and he shall carry [them] forth out of the city into an unclean place.

  • Philippians 3:21

    Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
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