THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
Why is it that if an unclean substance contaminates an earthenware vessel, the law requires it to be shattered, whereas if it contaminates a brass vessel, a wooden vessel, a garment, or any piece of clothing, it must simply be washed with water (Leviticus 11:32-33)? This indicates 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 both brass and wooden vessels ought to be destroyed. However, since the categorization of vessels as unclean serves a different purpose, the more valuable items must be cleansed while the less valuable ones are to be discarded.
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In this way, the law regarding unclean things is upheld, while also revealing the underlying intent of the law. Consequently, He instructs that ovens and cooking fires be dismantled (Leviticus 11:35) if an unclean animal should fall into them, and He labels the water in vessels as unclean when a dead body contaminates it, but He does not designate water in springs and lakes as such (Leviticus 11:36). This distinction highlights that the damage caused is limited in scope. Thus, we learn about the grievous nature of sin, as it brings about genuine defilement.