41. COMMON. UNCLEAN. DEFILED. PROFANE
41. COMMON. UNCLEAN. DEFILED. PROFANE
The words and , though of kindred meaning, have different applications. They both seem to have started with the signification ‘common.’ is connected with , ‘a threshold,’ which may be trodden on by all comers and be defiled. It stands in contrast to a consecrated spot or shrine, which is enclosed and guarded from desecration. In the LXX it once occurs in the sense of ‘common:’ common bread in contrast to the showbread in the tabernacle, 1Sa 21:4. In the N.T. it is always ‘profane’ in the A.V. It represents those for whom the law was made, 1Ti 1:9; three times it characterises babblings or vain talking, 1Ti 4:7; 1Ti 6:20; 2Ti 2:16; and in Heb 12:16 it describes Esau as a profane person
also is used in the LXX for ‘common,’ but more in the sense of fellowship: thus “Let us have a common purse,” Pro 1:14; a bad man does nothing for the common weal, Pro 15:23. It is also employed to signify a ‘wide or open’ house, as if accessible to all, Pro 21:9; Pro 25:24. The word is used only in these senses in the LXX
In the N.T. also it occurs in the sense of having “all things common,” Act 2:44; Act 4:32; “the common faith,” Tit 1:4; and the “common salvation,” Jud 1:3. It may mean ‘unclean’ in reference to animals forbidden by the law as food, or to Gentiles in contrast with Jews, Act 10:14; Act 10:28; they were not sanctified. It is rendered ‘unclean’ in respect to food, Rom 14:14; of unwashed hands it is ‘defiled,’ Mar 7:2; and an apostate virtually treats the blood of Christ as a ‘common’ thing (‘unholy’ A.V.), Heb 10:29
It will be seen, as regards profanity or uncleanness, that refers to what is moral, whereas descends more to what is ceremonial.
An interesting instance of the use of these words occurs in the charge made against Paul of defiling the temple by bringing in Greeks. The Jews use the verb of , but Tertullus before the Roman governor uses the verb of , Act 21:28; Act 24:6