Who or what is Foul in the Bible?

Ancient Context: Foul

⚡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)

The term 'foul' describes states of ritual impurity, moral corruption, or physical obstruction, rooted in Hebrew concepts of ritual uncleanness (tame) and Greek notions of spiritual defilement (akathartos).

What is the meaning of Foul in the Bible?

The term 'foul' describes states of ritual impurity, moral corruption, or physical obstruction, rooted in Hebrew concepts of ritual uncleanness (tame) and Greek notions of spiritual defilement (akathartos).

SIGNIFICANCE

Distinguishing between ceremonial cleanliness and ethical behavior through this term aids in accurately interpreting purity laws and prophetic condemnations within biblical texts.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Foul. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.

Bible Study Reflection Prompts:

Why did the biblical author mention Foul in this passage?
What cultural or historical assumption does Foul clarify?

Source Attribution & Provenance

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.

How to Cite This Entry

          "Foul." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/foul/
        

Foul