Kiera Jefferson
The Bible contains several references to the concept of pollution, both physical and spiritual. The word polluted appears 39 times in the Bible, most frequently in the books of Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah. The Bible describes how the people of Israel polluted the land through disobedience to God's commands, and how bloodshed and idolatry are also considered forms of pollution. The Bible also mentions the pollution of God's name and the desecration of holy places. The concept of spiritual pollution is explored, suggesting that God views moral and spiritual pollution differently from physical or chemical pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of instances of the word "polluted" | 87 |
| Number of books in which "polluted" is mentioned | 16 |
| Books in which "polluted" is most often discussed | Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah |
| Number of times "polluted" is mentioned in these books | 16, 4, 2 |
| Contexts in which "polluted" is used | Defilement, spiritual pollution, sin, debauchery, idolatry, etc. |
| Actions that are considered to be polluting | Eating certain foods, building an altar of stone, swearing by God's name to falsehood, shedding innocent blood, etc. |
| Consequences of pollution | Removal from priesthood, destruction of strongholds, God's wrath, captivity |
What You'll Learn
The Bible's definition of pollution
The word "polluted" appears 39 times in the Bible, across 16 books, with the most occurrences in the books of Ezekiel (16), Jeremiah (4), and Isaiah (2). The Bible defines pollution as "defilement or impurity", with several Greek and Hebrew words that translate to "pollute" referring to ceremonial or moral defilement, profanation, or uncleanness.
The Bible makes many references to pollution, including food offered to idols (Acts 15:20,29), evil in the world (2 Peter 2:20), and imperfect offerings or those brought with a wrong motive (Malachi 1:7-8). An altar was to be made of unhewn stone: cutting the stone was considered an act of pollution (Exodus 20:25).
The Bible also discusses the pollution of the soul, mind, and body, with earthly wisdom being a source of pollutants such as envy and strife. It is believed that by keeping our hearts filled with the things of God, we can avoid contamination by the things of the world.
Additionally, the Bible addresses physical and spiritual pollution, with references to bloodshed, sexual perversion, disobedience to laws, breaking of covenants, and infanticide (abortion) as causes of pollution. It also highlights the importance of caring for the earth and its creatures, as pollution can result from a disregard for the natural world.
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Instances of pollution in the Bible
The Bible does contain references to the concept of pollution, and it is mentioned in 16 books, with 39 instances of the word "polluted" appearing in the King James Version. The term is most frequently used in the books of Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah.
One interpretation of pollution in the Bible is in relation to sin and its impact on the earth. For example, in Jeremiah 12:4, the text describes how "the wild animals and birds have disappeared because of the evil in the land", and that "the land has become defiled". Similarly, Isaiah 24:4-6b states:
> "The earth mourns and withers… it is polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty."
The Bible also mentions bloodshed as a form of pollution, as seen in Leviticus 18:25: "The land has spewed out its inhabitants… the men of the land who have been before you have done all these [sexual] abominations, and the land has become defiled". Psalm 106:38 also refers to the land being "polluted with the blood" of those who "shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and their daughters".
In other instances, the Bible discusses pollution in relation to idolatry and sexual immorality. For example, in Romans 8:22-23, it is written that "the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God". This freedom from pollution and decay is presented as a positive outcome of following God's teachings.
Despite these references to pollution, the Bible also emphasizes the importance of caring for the earth and its creatures, as seen in Psalm 8:6, Genesis 1:28-30, and Proverbs 12:10, which states, "The righteous man cares for the health of his animal".
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Pollution as a punishment
The Bible mentions "pollution" and "polluted" 87 times and 39 times, respectively. The term "polluted" is most frequently used in the books of Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah.
The Bible mentions pollution in the context of spiritual pollution, moral pollution, and physical pollution of the land.
Spiritual Pollution
Spiritual pollution in the Bible refers to the desecration of holy places and objects. For example, in the King James Version (KJV), it is written:
> "And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it."
Another example of spiritual pollution is when the people of Israel brought Greeks into the temple, thus "polluting this holy place."
Moral Pollution
Moral pollution in the Bible is associated with sin and disobedience to God's commands. The Bible mentions that the people of Israel "polluted the land" by committing sins such as bloodshed, sexual perversion, breaking the covenant, and disobedience to God's laws.
The Bible suggests that pollution can be both a cause and a consequence of sin and disobedience. In other words, pollution is presented as a form of punishment for the wickedness of the inhabitants of the land.
For example, in Leviticus 18:25, it is written:
> "For the land has become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants…the men of the land who have been before you have done all these [sexual] abominations, and the land has become defiled."
Similarly, in Numbers 35:33, it is stated:
> "Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it."
These passages suggest that pollution, both spiritual and physical, is a consequence of the sinful actions of the people, and that the pollution itself becomes a form of punishment, causing the land to "spew out" or "vomit" its inhabitants.
The concept of pollution as a punishment in the Bible reflects the idea that the earth is under a curse due to the transgressions of humanity, and that the only way to find relief from this curse is through repentance and obedience to God's commands.
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Pollution as a consequence of sin
The Bible contains several references to the word "polluted" and its variants. The term is mentioned in 16 books and occurs 39 times in the Bible, most often in the books of Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah.
One interpretation of the concept of pollution in the Bible is that it is a consequence of sin. For instance, in Ezekiel, the prophet condemns the people of Jerusalem for polluting the holy temple and breaking the covenant with God. The book of Jeremiah also mentions the pollution of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah, attributing it to their transgressions.
The Bible also discusses the pollution of the land and the environment. It states that the earth has been polluted by its inhabitants because they have transgressed God's teachings, overstepped decrees, and broken the everlasting covenant. This interpretation aligns with the idea that pollution is a sin, as it results from human actions that go against God's plan for creation.
In modern times, the Vatican has reaffirmed the concept of "environmental stewardship" by including pollution among the communal transgressions that offend God. This addition to the list of sins reflects the understanding that evil deeds, such as ruining the environment, have social consequences.
The Bible's references to pollution as a consequence of sin highlight the importance of stewardship and responsible management of the Earth's resources. It underscores the belief that humans should tend to God's creation and preserve its beauty, rather than contribute to its degradation through sinful actions.
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Pollution as a result of idol worship
The Bible contains several references to the concept of "pollution" in relation to idol worship. For instance, in Acts 15:20, James instructs Gentile converts to "abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood." This decision was made after a meeting between the Elders of Jerusalem, who discussed the prerequisites for Gentiles to join the Congregation.
The Bible also mentions instances of idol worship leading to the pollution of holy places. For example, in the King James Version (KJV), it is written, "Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all [men] every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place."
The Old Testament also contains commandments prohibiting the offering of sacrifices to foreign gods, with God stating that those who do so will be "cut off from being one of His people." This is further reinforced in the Book of Acts, where it is written, "And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring."
While the above references do not directly link idol worship to environmental pollution, they highlight the biblical perspective on idol worship as a form of spiritual pollution.
In modern times, the practice of idol immersion in Hinduism has raised concerns about water pollution. During festivals like Durga Puja and Ganesha Utsav, idols of Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha are immersed in water, primarily in sacred rivers like the Ganges. This has led to increased levels of nitrates, phosphates, and toxic metals such as lead and chromium in the water, posing risks to both human and aquatic life. To address this issue, there have been suggestions to revert to using traditional clay idols and to encourage worshippers to immerse idols in temporary water tanks.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bible mentions the word "polluted" 39 times, and the concept of "pollution" is discussed in various books, including Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah. The Bible describes how the people of Israel polluted the land by disobeying God's commands, and how God connects human behaviour to the state of the land.
The Bible defines pollution in spiritual and moral terms, rather than in the context of chemical or environmental pollution. It associates pollution with sin, defilement, and disobedience to God's laws.
In the Bible, pollution is often associated with bloodshed and idolatry. For instance, the book of Jeremiah mentions how the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem and polluted the holy temple. Another example is the story of Josiah, who burned bones on an altar, polluting it according to God's command.
While the Bible primarily focuses on spiritual and moral pollution, its message can still be relevant to modern-day discussions about environmental pollution. The Bible emphasizes the connection between human actions and their impact on the land, which aligns with the understanding that human activities can have detrimental effects on the environment.
