Unreinheit und Sünde – Der Unterschied zwischen kultischer und ethischer Bewertung des menschlichen Handelns

This article evaluates the complicated relationship between uncleanness and sin in the Old Testament. While – contrary to popular belief – not identical and not even directly related, there are sins that result in uncleanness, not only of the perpetrator but also of the altar and even of the whole land. This is real, not only metaphoric uncleanness, and it is shown that the distinction between 'real' and 'metaphoric' results from a western secularized treatment of the cultic system. Sin and uncleanness, while not identical, cannot be seen apart from each other.