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Holiness
Holiness is the main theme of the book. Yahweh is a holy God, who requires of his people "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy". This is repeated many times eg: (11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7,26, 21:8). God is holy, therefore he requires both the priesthood and the people to be holy.
The priests were instructed to distinguish: between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean (10:10). Animals are divided between those which are clean, and those that are unclean (ch 11). Similarly, illnesses are divided between those which make someone unclean, and those that leave him clean (ch 12-15). So there seems to be a contrast between: what is holy and what is common, as well as between: what is clean and what is unclean. Any object or person is either holy or common, but a common thing or person can either be clean or unclean.
Clean things can be sanctified to make them holy, but unclean things cannot. Holy things may be defiled and made either common or even unclean. Clean things become unclean if they are polluted, but can return to a state of cleanness by being cleansed.
How does this double contrast work?
| Holy |
| To Defile |
 |
 |
To Sanctify |
| Common or Clean |
| To Pollute |
|
|
To Cleanse |
| Unclean |
The unclean and the holy must never come in contact with each other, the result can be death. Cleanness is a state between uncleanness and holiness, and is the normal condition of most things and people, so cleanness is not transmitted to other things. However, things may become unclean by touch (eg. 11:39-40, 14:36), and similarly, some things become holy by touch (Lev 6:18,27).
Cleanness
Cleanness has two special aspects. Firstly cleanness is purity, and being physically clean. In many instances, water is used to wash something unclean to make it clean (eg. 11:25). Secondly, cleanness is being normal. A person who is not diagnosed as having leprosy is declared 'clean' (13:13), even though they may still be suffering from some blemish.
A clean animal is one which behave or move in a normal way for its type. It needs to have cloven feet and chew the cud. Fish need to have fins and scales. Something that is clean maintains the order of creation, without confusion or mixing.
Uncleanness
Anything which is not clean is declared 'unclean'. Most uncleanness are considered not normal, and a deviation from the normal state of affairs. The greater the deviation from the norm, the greater the degree of uncleanness and the greater difficulty of cleansing - a sacrifice would be requiured, not just washing. Uncleanness results from natural causes, like disease or death, or through sin. Uncleanness is completely incompatible with holiness (eg 22:3).
Uncleanness can be temporary or permanent. Permanent uncleanness cannot be altered. Some animals are always unclean (ch 11). It is not transmitted, so there are no rituals to cure it. Temporary uncleanness can be either short-term or long-term. Temporary uncleanness can be transmitted to other things, mostly by touch (eg. 15:4-12). Short-term, more normal uncleanness only needs washing and a period of time to clear (eg. 15:16-17). Long-term, more unusual uncleanness need a sacrifice as well (eg. 15:2-15)
Severe uncleanness such as persistent skin diseases cause uncleanness, so the sufferer was expelled from the camp (13:45). This seems harsh, and was not primarily done for hygienic reasons. The unclean and the holy must not come into contact. The camp of Israel was considered holy, with the holy presence of God in their midst in the tabernacle. Any uncleanness in the camp would pollute the tabernacle.
This is summarised in 15:13
"Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, so that they do not die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst."
The ceremonies on the day of Atonement were for cleansing the tabernacle from any uncleanness that had contaminated it through people's negligence (15:31, 16:16,19)
Holiness
Holiness characterises God himself and all that belongs to him, "Be holy, for I am holy". God's name is holy because it expresses his character (20:3). His name is profaned by sin, such as (18:21, or swearing falsely (19:12). God demonstrates his holiness in judging sin (10:3).
People and objects can also become holy. Anyone or anything given to God becomes holy (19:24), so the priest's portions of the sacrifices are holy, the tabernacle and its equipment are holy and the Sabbath and religious festivals are holy (Lev 23). A person dedicated to the service of God is holy, especially the priests (Lev 21:6).
The process of being made holy is sanctification. Things or people are made holy both by God and by men: "You must sanctify him (the priest) ... for I the Lord sanctify you" (21:8). However only people called by God can become holy. There is a refrain: "I am the LORD your sanctifier" (eg. 20:8). It was not possible to become holy by ritual action or moral behaviour. So holiness is a state of grace which God calls people to, and is confirmed by offering sacrifices and obedience to the law.
Through the covenant on Mt. Sinai, the whole nation was made holy. Before making the covenant, they had to separate themselves from all uncleanness (Ex 19). The most important way for the people to show holiness was by obedience to God's law (eg. 19:1)
Uncleanness is a substandard condition caused by disease, abnormal bodily processes, or sin. It was the duty of every person to return to cleanness through washing and sacrifice because uncleanness was incompatible with the holiness of God's covenant people.
A good definition of holiness based on the Book of Leviticus is: “Separation to divine service in a state of wholeness and completeness”.
Holiness also involves a maintenance of the order of creation, without any mixing or confusion. Holiness demands that people should conform to the class to which they belong. This is why the mixing of male and female roles is forbidden (18:22-23). It also requires that different classes of things are not confused or mixed, like sowing field with two different types of seed (19:19).
In the NT, all Christians are saints (or holy), because we have been called to be God's people, just like Israel. Holiness must be expressed through holy living (1 Pet 1:15), where he quotes the Leviticus motto: “Be holy for I am holy”.
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