This is a collection of essays on purification and atonement in the "Hebrew Bible" that provides new insights into the discussion of these ideas by looking at the values of sociological and anthropological approaches to the topics. The collection also examines multivalence and polyvalence in ritual and asks to what extent it is possible to speak of the function or meaning of ritual, even within the highly systematic priestly texts. Series editors are: Claudia Camp and Andrew Mein, formerly "Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement A" book series that features original and creative approaches to the interpretation of Old Testament literature. "The Bible in the 21st Century" series, a part of "JSOTS", seeks to examine contemporary authoritative and cultural meanings of bibles by focusing on the processes of transmission, readership and actualization of biblical texts up to and including the twenty-first century. The series explores issues related to contemporary culture and the place of the bible and religion within it. Copenhagen International Seminar is also part of "JSOTS."