Leviticus 11:32Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If the body becomes impure in us without our intent, the soul remains wholly unblemished. It is recognized that the bodies of the holy are also pure; such was the case with Elisha, whose corpse was honored by miracles after his passing (4 Kings 13:21). Additionally, Moses took Joseph's bones with him (Ex. 13:19) and God Himself buried Moses (Deut. 34:6). Samson was exalted through a bone (Judg. 15:15), and Elijah maintained his purity by not touching the deceased son of the widow of Sarepta (3 Kings 17:21).

Why does the law stipulate that if anything impure enters an earthen vessel, it must be shattered, while if it falls into a vessel of brass or wood, or a garment, it should be cleansed with water (Leviticus 11:32-33)? This demonstrates that nothing is inherently unclean; rather, God designates certain things as unclean and others as clean for specific purposes. If these items were truly unclean by their very nature, then brass and wooden vessels should also be destroyed. However, because God categorizes the vessels as unclean for different reasons, He instructs that the more valuable items be washed while the less valuable ones are to be broken. In this way, the law about impurities is upheld, and the intent behind the law is revealed.