the most holy room by the high priest for their own and the whole congrega-
tion's sins (Lev.16).

 

  "Consecrate" means to dedicate or "sanctify" a person or thing to a "sacred"
or "hallowed" purpose in the service and worship of God.  Such a person or
thing may be called "holy."  "Consecrated" first appears at Ex.13:2; also see
22:31; 29:1,2,19-21,27,31-34; and Num.18:15-20, all regarding food.

 

  "Sanctified" first appears at Ex.29:43; regarding food, see Lev.22:16.

 

  "Sacred" first shows up at Ex.30:25; regarding food, see Deut.26:13.

 

  "Hallowed" first shows up at Gen.2:3; regarding food, Num.18:25-32, esp.
verse 29.

 

  "Holy" first appears at Ex.3:5; regarding food, see Ex.29:33,34.

 

  These first appearances, etc., are based on the RSV; other translations may
exchange synonyms for them.

 

  "Unclean" things might be thought to be the opposite of "holy" things--one
was farther from and the other nearer to harmony with God.

 

  There also seem to have been degrees of each.  For example, touching a human
found dead created a greater uncleanness than by touching an animal found dead.

It brought a longer uncleanness period and called for a more involved ritual.
Eating a dead animal brought the same penalty as for touching one, so eating
from a dead person may have been the same as for touching one.  The tabernacle
had its holy and most holy rooms--the most holy room contained the ark over
which was God's presence.  Offerings could be holy or most holy (Lev.21:22; 27:
26,28; Num.18:9).  Most holy offerings included sin, guilt, and certain grain
offerings, and clean firstborn animals.  Such firstborns were among "devoted"
things which were either to be killed for God (Lev.27:29), used by priests