THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
Why is it that when something impure comes into contact with an earthen vessel, the command is to destroy it, whereas if it touches a vessel made of bronze, wood, clothing, or a robe, the proper action is to cleanse it with water (Leviticus 11:32-33)? This indicates that nothing is inherently impure; rather, God designates certain things as impure and others as pure for specific purposes. If those items were truly impure by nature, then both bronze and wooden vessels would also need to be destroyed. However, since He labels the vessels impure for a different reason, He mandates that the more valuable items be purified through washing, while the less valuable ones are to be broken. This distinction both upholds the law pertaining to impurities and reveals the deeper intention behind it.
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Thus, He instructs that ovens and cooking fires be dismantled (Leviticus 11:35) if any unclean animal happens to fall into them, and He considers the water in vessels to be impure when a corpse contaminates it, yet He does not regard spring or lake water as such (Leviticus 11:36), acknowledging that the damage in those cases is minimal. This also serves to highlight the true nature of sin, as it produces genuine defilement.