Purification

Purification in the Mosaic system was the process by which a person rendered ritually unclean — through skin disease, contact with a corpse, childbirth, bodily discharges, or other conditions (Lev. 12–15; Num. 19) — was restored to full participation in Israel's worship and community life. The annual purification of the entire people took place on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16). Purification typically involved washing, waiting periods, and sacrificial offerings. The water of purification prepared from the ashes of a red heifer addressed corpse impurity (Num. 19). Mary observed the purification rites after Jesus' birth (Luke 2:22; Lev. 12:1–8). The Epistle to the Hebrews interprets the entire purification system as a type pointing to Christ, whose blood accomplishes the definitive purification of conscience that animal blood could not achieve (Heb. 9:13–14; 10:1–14).