“Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there is plenty of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcase shall be unclean.”
Leviticus 11 contains regulations given by God to the Israelites regarding dietary laws and the distinction between clean and unclean animals. In this particular verse, God provides guidance concerning the purity of water sources.
In the preceding verses, God outlines the criteria that make water sources clean or unclean. If any part of a clean animal touches the water, the water remains clean. However, if an unclean animal’s carcass comes into contact with the water, it becomes unclean.
The concept of clean and unclean had symbolic and ritual significance for the Israelites. It was meant to teach them about holiness, obedience, and separation from things considered impure or defiled. The distinction between clean and unclean was not primarily a matter of hygiene but rather a spiritual lesson.
By applying this principle to the water sources, the verse teaches that a water source, such as a fountain or pit, which contains an abundance of water, remains clean even if a clean animal touches it. The quantity of water ensures that the water remains unaffected by the touch of a clean animal.
However, if the carcass of an unclean animal touches the water, it becomes unclean. This emphasizes the susceptibility of water to contamination by things that are considered impure or defiled according to God’s instructions.
Overall, Leviticus 11:36 reminds the Israelites of the importance of maintaining ritual purity in their daily lives. It highlights the significance of adhering to God’s commandments, even in seemingly mundane matters such as the cleanliness of water sources. These regulations helped the Israelites develop a heightened awareness of holiness and obedience to God’s laws.
