You shall take with you seven pairs of every clean animal, a male and his female; and two of the animals that are not clean, a male and his female
Genesis 7:2 (NASB)
We meet a new word in Genesis 7: “Tahor.”
I. pure, clean
1. clean (ceremonially – of animals)
2. pure (physically)
3. pure, clean (morally, ethically)
H2889: טָהוֹר (ṭâôr)
We translate it as “clean” along with its opposite: “unclean.” This may seem like it is related to filth, unworthiness, but that is not the meaning.
When used with gold, it is always translated as “pure,” and it evokes an image of unblemished, refined, wholly dedicated, the best.
This is how it is meant to be understood.
Something impure contains blemishes. These things must be purified. Gold is purified by fire, and is also made clean by water.