Library Theodoret Questions on Exodus
Questions on Exodus 36: Why they were ordered to wash their garments at Sinai
Why were they commanded not only to purify themselves but also to wash their garments when they received the law?
Through bodily things he guides them toward the spiritual, instills awe, and makes them more reverent. For from these things they reckoned that it was far more fitting for the mind to be kept clean. For this reason also there were trumpet sounds and crashes of thunder and gloom and storm and fire on the summit of the mountain, and smoke sent forth beyond telling—so that through all these he might soften their stony heart. For since they had seen the punishments inflicted on the Egyptians but had not themselves experienced chastisement, through these things he frightens them as children, so that they might not only love because of the ineffable benefactions but also fear because of the punishments. For this reason he also said concerning the priests: “The priests who draw near to the Lord God, let them be sanctified, lest the Lord break out against them.” For since it was likely that they would be confident, as those entrusted with the divine liturgy, he teaches that those appointed to minister to God ought especially to be superior to earthly things.
Greek: Theodoret of Cyrus, Quaestiones in Octateuchum / Questions on Exodus (CPG 6200.02; cf. Fernández Marcos and Sáenz-Badillos; also PG 80, cols. 225–298). English: study translation for BWAB Library—not the copyrighted Robert C. Hill (CUA Press) translation. The full Questions on Exodus (72 questions) is hosted here.