The Force
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 NIV
In heart – Eve Levavi Feinstein’s remark about purity in the Bible raises some important questions:
“. . . the Hebrew word for purity is used almost exclusively to refer to that which is associated with God and his service: . . . and, unlike terms for purity in other ancient Semitic languages, the Hebrew term is never used in the Bible to describe God’s person.”[1]
By contrast, “the term for pollution . . . never refers to physical admixtures, but rather denotes the presence of an active, contaminating force.”[2]
Why are these remarks challenging? Because the Greek term in this verse (katharós) casts a different light on the subject of purity if it is taken in the classical Greek sense.
Ideas of power are dominant in primitive thinking about cleanness. After coming into contact with power, e.g., in birth, sex, and death, cleansing is necessary to fit one for ordinary life. But since the numinous power may be deity as well as demon, cleansing is also needed for dealings with it. Cleanness and uncleanness are viewed quasi-physically, but the association of cleanness and holiness offers a starting point for moral spiritualizing.[3]
The OT reflects the same general development. Uncleanness, which may be contracted in contact with birth or death (Lev. 12; Num. 19:11), is a positive defiling force.[4]
We have an English word that is the direct descendent of the Greek word used in this Beatitude. But it isn’t “pure.” As mentioned, the Greek word in this verse is katharós. Our direct descendent in English is “catharsis.” In both Greek and English, the meaning is really “purged” or “cleansed.” It’s easy to see how it could be translated “pure” since that is the result of being cleansed or purged, but there is just the slightest shift in nuance. That shift makes a difference. If the word is “pure,” we immediately think of something that requires no alteration. It is perfect in itself. But “cleansed” implies that it was once not acceptable and has now been altered. Suddenly, this Beatitude is on new ground. It is about an essential change in quality.
In this Beatitude, Yeshua seems to be speaking about ritual purity. He literally says, “Happy the cleansed.” This is, of course, exactly what his listening audience would have expected. They believed that cleansing meant removing the defilement that separated them from God. But this kind of cleansing is associated with many normal human functions like birth, death, and sex. If that’s all Yeshua had in mind, he needn’t say so. Everyone knew the Mosaic code. Everyone knew about ritual pollution. The key to understanding the challenge Yeshua makes is in the added phrase te kardía, not just “pure in heart,” but rather “cleansed-hearted.” In other words, this is not about some outward cleansing action, like washing. It is about an inner condition, not accomplished by outward action. It is about deep cleaning one’s soul (to use a common Greek idea). No amount of ritual performance can effectively create a deep-cleaned soul. That process must begin—and end—somewhere else. And, according to Yeshua, it is this process, and only this process, that allows one to “see” God. It’s important to note that the Greek verb for “see” (horáō) means “to look,” “to see,” “to experience,” “to perceive,” “to take note,” “to see to,” “to take care.” Yeshua’s statement does not contradict the idea that no one can (literally) see God. What he implies is that the divine can be apprehended only from the vantage point of a deep-cleaned inside.
But remember, Yeshua speaks in Hebrew, not Greek. Now we know why Feinstein pointed out that the Hebrew word for pure is never ascribed to God’s person. Why would it be? God is in no need of a deep cleaning. But we are. And now we know why pollution is not simply a “skin disease.” What proceeds from the heart is the real issue. Yes, we can wash the skin, but that won’t repair the heart. Cardiac cleansing starts where it ends: “God, see me! And then I will see You.”
Topical Index: katharós te kardía, pure, pollution, cleanse, Matthew 5:8
[1] Eve Levavi Feinstein, Sexual Pollution in the Hebrew Bible (Oxford University Press, 2014), p. 13.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 381). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
[4] Ibid.
