Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:The term "purify" in the biblical context refers to the process of making something clean, free from impurities, or ceremonially acceptable. It often involves a spiritual or moral cleansing, as well as physical purification. The concept of purification is deeply rooted in the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing the removal of sin and the preparation for worship or service to God.
Old Testament Context:In the Old Testament, purification is frequently associated with ceremonial laws given to the Israelites. These laws were designed to maintain holiness and cleanliness among God's people. For instance, the purification rituals for those who had become ceremonially unclean are detailed in the book of Leviticus.
Leviticus 14:8 states, "The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be clean."
The purification process often involved sacrifices, washing with water, and waiting periods.
Numbers 19 describes the use of the ashes of a red heifer mixed with water for purification from sin, emphasizing the importance of ritual cleanliness in maintaining a relationship with God.
New Testament Context:In the New Testament, the concept of purification takes on a more spiritual dimension, focusing on the cleansing of the heart and soul. Jesus Christ's sacrifice is central to this understanding, as His blood is seen as the ultimate means of purification from sin.
Hebrews 9:14 explains, "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 New Testament also emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the purification process. Believers are called to live holy lives, set apart for God, and to continually seek spiritual cleansing. 1
John 1:9 assures believers, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Purification in Christian Life:Purification is an ongoing process in the life of a believer. It involves repentance, confession, and the pursuit of holiness.
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."
The act of purification is not only personal but also communal, as the Church is called to be a pure and spotless bride for Christ.
Ephesians 5:25-27 describes Christ's love for the Church, "to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless."
Conclusion:The biblical concept of purification encompasses both the physical and spiritual realms, highlighting the necessity of being clean before God. It is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, pointing to the holiness of God and the need for His people to be set apart for His purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To make pure or clear from material defilement, admixture, or imperfection; to free from extraneous or noxious matter; as, to purify liquors or metals; to purify the blood; to purify the air.
2. (v. t.) Hence, in figurative uses: (a) To free from guilt or moral defilement; as, to purify the heart.
3. (v. t.) To free from ceremonial or legal defilement.
4. (v. t.) To free from improprieties or barbarisms; as, to purify a language.
5. (v. i.) To grow or become pure or clear.
Greek
48. hagnizo -- topurify, cleanse from defilement... to
purify, cleanse from defilement. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hagnizo
Phonetic Spelling: (hag-nid'-zo) Short Definition: I cleanse,
purify Definition
...2511. katharizo -- to cleanse
... Definition to cleanse NASB Word Usage clean (3), cleanse (5), cleansed (16), cleanses
(1), cleansing (1), declared...clean (1), make...clean (3),purify (1)....
2508. kathairo -- to cleanse
... to cleanse. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kathairo Phonetic Spelling:
(kath-ah'-ee-ro) Short Definition: I cleanse,purify, prune Definition: I cleanse...
37. hagiazo -- to make holy, consecrate, sanctify
... Phonetic Spelling: (hag-ee-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I make holy, sanctify Definition:
I make holy, treat as holy, set apart as holy, sanctify, hallow,purify....
Strong's Hebrew
2212. zaqaq -- to refine,purify... zaqaq. 2213 . to refine,
purify. Transliteration: zaqaq Phonetic Spelling:
(zaw-kak') Short Definition: refined.
... fine, pour down, purge,
purify, refine.
...1305. barar -- topurify, select
... 1304b, 1305. barar. 1306 . topurify, select. Transliteration: barar Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-rar') Short Definition: choice. Word Origin a prim....
2398. chata -- to miss, go wrong, sin
... 1), miss (1), offended (1), offered it for sin (1), offers it for sin (1), purged
(1), purified (2), purified themselves from sin (1),purify (6),purify him...
2891. taher -- to be clean or pure
... 1), pronounce clean (2), pronounces him clean (1), pronouncing it clean (1), pure
(2), purge (1), purged (2), purified (5), purifier (1),purify (5), purifying...
1252. bor -- cleanness, pureness
... cleanness (5). cleanness, pureness. From barar;purify -- cleanness, pureness.
see HEBREW barar. 1251, 1252. bor. 1253 . Strong's Numbers.
6942. qadash -- to be set apart or consecrated
... ceremonially or morally) -- appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow,
(be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim,purify, sanctify(-ied one...
Library
St. Ambrose Declares his Desire that Some Angel Would Fly to Him...
... St. Ambrose's Exposition of the Christian Faith. Book I. Chapter XX. St. Ambrose
declares his desire that some angel would fly to him topurify him? St....
Cyprian, and the Bishops with Him, First Taught that it was...
... Book VII. Chapter III."Cyprian, and the Bishops with him, first taught that it
was necessary topurify by Baptism those converted from Heresy....
Whether Purification of the Heart is an Effect of Faith
... Hence faith does notpurify the heart. 3. Again, if faith were topurify the
heart in any way, it wouldpurify the intellect especially....
Whether Faith Has the Effect of Purifying the Heart?
... heart? Objection 1: It would seem that faith does notpurify the heart.
For... Therefore faith does notpurify the heart. Objection 3...
Letter xiii. --The Fear of Reprobation.
... A thousand experiences convince me more thoroughly every day that interior trials
purify a soul, in its very essence, and penetrate to its most hidden recesses...
Of the Principles Which, According to the Platonists, Regulate the...
... For what mysteries canpurify, if those of the sun and moon, which are
esteemed the chief of the celestial gods, do notpurify?...
Addresses on Holiness,
... I showed her how dishonoring this unbelief was, and that, if she would only trust
Him to come in and reign in her heart, He couldpurify and cleanse the very...
Consecration: what is It?
... No one would confound "consecration" with "cleansing," and yet many confound
"sanctification" with "cleansing." To "sanctify" is topurify, to cleanse, to make...
Civ. Jesus Arrives and is Feasted at Bethany.
... d 55 Now the passover of the Jews was at hand: and many went up to Jerusalem
out of the country before the passover, topurify themselves....
Letter v. --The Fear of Being Wanting in Submission.
... There is no intelligence nor power in the world capable of wresting from the hand
of God a soul He has seized in the rigour of His mercy topurify it by...
Thesaurus
Purify (39 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To make pure or clear from material defilement, admixture, or imperfection;
to free from extraneous or noxious matter; as, to
purify liquors or metals
...Refine (9 Occurrences)
... To reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; to free from impurities; to free from
dross or alloy; to separate from extraneous matter; topurify; to defecate...
Purge (35 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To cleanse, clear, orpurify by separating and
carrying off whatever is impure, heterogeneous, foreign, or superfluous....
Spotless (10 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 9:14 how much rather shall the blood of the Christ, who by the eternal Spirit
offered himself spotless to God,purify your conscience from dead works...
Therewith (53 Occurrences)
... Numbers 19:12 the same shallpurify himself therewith on the third day, and on the
seventh day he shall be clean: but if hepurify not himself the third day...
Purifying (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofPurify. Multi-Version
Concordance Purifying (17 Occurrences). Mark 7:19 because it...
Purified (44 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofPurify. Multi-Version Concordance
Purified (44 Occurrences). Luke 7:22 Then He answered...
Uncleanness (56 Occurrences)
... Numbers 19:12 the same shallpurify himself with water on the third day, and on
the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he doesn'tpurify himself the third...
Impurity (42 Occurrences)
... Numbers 19:13 Whoever touches a dead person, the body of a man who has died, and
doesn'tpurify himself, defiles the tabernacle of Yahweh; and that soul shall...
Seventh (123 Occurrences)
... Numbers 19:12 the same shallpurify himself with water on the third day, and on
the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he doesn'tpurify himself the third...
Resources
What is Wahhabism? What is Wahhabi Islam? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that our sins are washed away? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the refiner's fire and launderer's soap in Malachi 3:2? | GotQuestions.orgPurify: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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