Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "purified" in the biblical context generally refers to the process of making something clean, free from impurities, or holy. This concept is both physical and spiritual, often symbolizing the removal of sin and the sanctification of individuals or objects for God's purposes.
Old Testament Context:In the Old Testament, purification is frequently associated with ceremonial cleanliness. The Law of Moses contains numerous regulations regarding purification, especially in the books of Leviticus and Numbers. For example,
Leviticus 16:30 states, "For on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you; then you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD." Here, purification is linked to atonement and forgiveness.
The purification rituals often involved water, sacrifices, and specific rites to cleanse individuals from ceremonial defilement.
Numbers 8:7 describes the purification of the Levites: "This is what you are to do to purify them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification, have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves."
New Testament Context:In the New Testament, purification takes on a more spiritual dimension, emphasizing the cleansing of the heart and soul. The concept is closely tied to the work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 9:14 highlights the purifying power of Christ's sacrifice: "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!"
The Apostle Peter also speaks of purification through obedience to the truth and the work of the Holy Spirit. In
1 Peter 1:22, he writes, "Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth, so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart."
Spiritual Significance:Purification is essential for entering into a relationship with God. It signifies the removal of sin and the transformation of the believer into the likeness of Christ. This process is ongoing, as believers are called to continually seek purity in their lives.
James 4:8 exhorts, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Symbolism and Imagery:The imagery of purification is rich throughout Scripture. Water, fire, and blood are common symbols used to represent the purifying process. Water signifies cleansing and renewal, as seen in baptism. Fire represents refining and testing, as in
Malachi 3:3, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver." Blood, particularly the blood of Christ, is the ultimate symbol of purification, as it cleanses believers from sin.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to pursue purity in their thoughts, actions, and relationships. This involves a commitment to holiness and a rejection of sin. The process of purification is both a divine act and a personal responsibility, as individuals cooperate with the Holy Spirit in sanctification. As 1
John 3:3 states, "Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
Conclusion:The concept of being purified is central to the Christian faith, reflecting both the initial cleansing from sin through Christ's sacrifice and the ongoing sanctification of the believer. It underscores the call to holiness and the transformative power of God's grace in the life of a believer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Purify.
Greek
4448. puroo -- to set on fire, ie to burn (pass.)... to set on fire, ie to burn (pass.). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: puroo
Phonetic Spelling: (poo-ro'-o) Short Definition: I burn, am
purified by fire
...2513. katharos -- clean (adjective)
... properly, "without admixture" (); what is separated (purged), hence "clean" (pure)
because (without); (figuratively) spiritually because (purified by God), ie...
48. hagnizo -- to purify, cleanse from defilement
... Word Origin from hagnos Definition to purify, cleanse from defilement NASB Word
Usagepurified (2), purifies (1), purify (3), purifying (1). purify oneself....
Strong's Hebrew
2398. chata -- to miss, go wrong, sin... 1), fear...loss (1), forfeits (1), indicted (1), miss (1), offended (1), offered
it for sin (1), offers it for sin (1), purged (1),
purified (2),
purified...7385a. riq -- to make empty, empty out
... to make empty, empty out NASB Word Usage draw (6), emptied (2), empty (3), emptying
(1), keep the unsatisfied (1), led (1), pour (2),purified (1), unsheathe (2...
7495. rapha -- to heal
... become fresh (3), completely healed (1), heal (24), healed (22), healer (1), healing
(2), heals (3), physician (1), physicians (4),purified (2), reappeared (1...
2891. taher -- to be clean or pure
... 6), pronounce the clean (1), pronounce clean (2), pronounces him clean (1), pronouncing
it clean (1), pure (2), purge (1), purged (2),purified (5), purifier (1...
3835a. laben -- to be white
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be white NASB Word Usage become white (1),
make them pure (1),purified (1), white (1), whiter (1). 3835, 3835a....
1305. barar -- to purify, select
... root Definition to purify, select NASB Word Usage choice (2), chosen (2), cleanse
(1), pure you show (2), purge (2), purged (1),purified (1), purify (1...
6942. qadash -- to be set apart or consecrated
... it holy (2), keep the holy (3), made it holy (1), manifest my holiness (2), prepare
(2), prove myself holy (2), proved himself holy (1),purified (1), regard...
Library
April 5. "Many Shall bePurified and Made White and Tried" (Dan....
... APRIL 5. "Many shall bepurified and made white and tried" (Dan. xii. 10). "Many
shall bepurified and made white and tried" (Daniel 12:10)....
AchamothPurified from all Impurities of Her Passion by the...
... Chapter XVI."AchamothPurified from All Impurities of Her Passion by the Paraclete,
Acting Through Soter, Who Out of the Above-Mentioned Impurities Arranges...
Whether it was Fitting that the Mother of God Should Go to the...
... OBSERVANCES ACCOMPLISHED IN REGARD TO THE CHILD CHRIST (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it
was fitting that the Mother of God should go to the temple to bepurified?...
Nor, in that the Law Orders a Man to bePurified Even after...
... Section 23. Nor, in that the Law orders a man to bepurified even after
intercourse? 23. Nor, in that the Law orders a man to...
To See God, the Soul must bePurified.
... Book I. Chapter 10."To See God, the Soul Must BePurified. 10. Wherefore,
since it is our duty fully to enjoy the truth which...
For what Reason the Prophet Isaiah is Said to have BeenPurified...
... DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE ON THE HEAVENLY HIERARCHY. CAPUT XIII. For what reason
the Prophet Isaiah is said to have beenpurified by the Seraphim. Section I....
Which are the Better, the Continent, or those who Delight in...
... Contests the Peril of Chastity: the Felicity of Tranquillity;Purified and Tranquil
Minds Gods: They Who Shall See God; Virtue Disciplined by Temptations....
The New virtue of Continence. Revolution of Society,Purified and...
... On the Incarnation of the Word. Section 51. The new virtue of continence.
Revolution of Society,purified and pacified by Christianity....
Objections from the Revelation and the First Epistle of St. John...
... and, sinning in the light, shall we be utterlypurified? By no means. For
he who sins is not in the light, but in darkness. Whence...
Of the Impiety of Porphyry, which is Worse than Even the Mistake...
... of philosophy, which is too arduous for the multitude, may, at your instigation,
betake themselves to theurgists by whom they may bepurified, not, indeed, in...
Thesaurus
Purified (44 Occurrences)...Purified (44 Occurrences).
... (WEY). Acts 10:15 Again a second time a voice was heard
which said, "What God has
purified, you must not regard as unholy." (WEY).
...Refined (26 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Refine. 2. (a.) Freed from impurities or alloy;purified; polished; cultured;
delicate; as; refined gold; refined language; refined sentiments....
Ceremonially (38 Occurrences)
... Ezra 6:20 For the priests and the Levites hadpurified themselves together; all
of them were pure: and they killed the Passover for all the children of the...
Unholy (23 Occurrences)
... Acts 10:15 Again a second time a voice was heard which said, "What God has
purified, you must not regard as unholy." (WEY NAS). Acts...
Purify (39 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:15 And when it was slain, Moses took the blood, and put it upon the
horns of the altar round about with his finger, andpurified the altar, and...
Purification (25 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:24 these having taken, bepurified with them, and be at expence with them,
that they may shave the head, and all may know that the things of which they...
Sanctification (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) the act of God's grace by which the affections of men arepurified, or
alienated from sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love to God; also...
Regard (230 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Acts 10:15 Again a second time a voice was heard which said, "What
God haspurified, you must not regard as unholy." (WEY)....
Earth (10501 Occurrences)
... the Ethico-Religious 6. The End Correspondent to the Beginning 7. The Cosmical Heavens:
Hebrews 12:26-29 8. Palingenesis: Matthew 19:28 9. APurified Universe 1...
Heavens (548 Occurrences)
... the Ethico-Religious 6. The End Correspondent to the Beginning 7. The Cosmical Heavens:
Hebrews 12:26-29 8. Palingenesis: Matthew 19:28 9. APurified Universe 1...
Resources
What is the meaning of dross in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are indulgences and plenary indulgences and is the concept biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is sexual purity so important? | GotQuestions.orgPurified: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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