Sanitation
<<hygiene>>
For the well-being of life, adequate sanitation or cleanliness is essential as many diseases are caused through physical contact with an infected person, environmental contamination and poor personal hygiene. The OT outlined, for the well-being of all involved, various procedures to be followed including the disposal of human excrement (Lev 15:2-33; Deut 23:12,13).
In poor countries, impure drinking water and the inadequate disposal of waste is the cause of numerous deaths each year, besides incorrect handling and storage procedures for perishable foods.
Sin is the greatest contagion of human life resulting in certain death. Scripture urges us to purify ourselves ‘through the ‘washing of rebirth’ which cleanses our guilty conscience (2 Cor 7:1; Eph 5:26; Tit 3:5; Heb 10:22).
See also: clean and unclean, defile, environment, health, pollution, pure/purity.