Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "wipe" is often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, conveying ideas of cleansing, removal, and renewal. The act of wiping can signify the physical act of cleaning or the spiritual act of purifying and forgiving.
Literal Use:1.
Physical Cleansing: In the Bible, wiping is sometimes associated with the act of cleaning or removing dirt. For example, in the context of hospitality, it was customary to wash and wipe the feet of guests. This practice is illustrated in the New Testament when Jesus washes the feet of His disciples, demonstrating humility and servitude (
John 13:5).
2.
Tears and Mourning: Wiping away tears is a common expression of comfort and consolation. In
Revelation 21:4 , it is written, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This passage highlights the promise of God’s ultimate comfort and the end of suffering in the new creation.
Metaphorical Use:1.
Forgiveness and Cleansing of Sin: The concept of wiping is also used metaphorically to describe the removal of sin and guilt. In
Psalm 51:1-2 , David pleads with God, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." Here, the act of blotting out or wiping away transgressions signifies divine forgiveness and purification.
2.
Erasure of Records: In
Colossians 2:14 , Paul speaks of Christ's redemptive work, stating, "having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross." The imagery of canceling or wiping away a debt underscores the complete and total forgiveness offered through Christ’s sacrifice.
Symbolic Significance:1.
Renewal and Restoration: The act of wiping can symbolize a fresh start or a new beginning. In
Isaiah 25:8 , it is prophesied, "He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth." This promise of renewal and restoration is central to the hope of redemption and eternal life.
2.
Divine Judgment and Mercy: The dual nature of wiping as both judgment and mercy is evident in the biblical narrative. While God may wipe away the wicked (as seen in the flood narrative of Genesis), He also wipes away the sins of the repentant, offering mercy and grace.
In summary, the concept of wiping in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from the physical act of cleaning to the profound spiritual implications of forgiveness and renewal. It reflects the transformative power of God’s grace and the hope of restoration for His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The lapwing.
2. (v. t.) To rub with something soft for cleaning; to clean or dry by rubbing; as, to wipe the hands or face with a towel.
3. (v. t.) To remove by rubbing; to rub off; to obliterate; -- usually followed by away, off or out. Also used figuratively.
4. (v. t.) To cheat; to defraud; to trick; -- usually followed by out.
5. (n.) Act of rubbing, esp. in order to clean.
6. (n.) A blow; a stroke; a hit; a swipe.
7. (n.) A gibe; a jeer; a severe sarcasm.
8. (n.) A handkerchief.
9. (n.) Stain; brand.
Greek
1813. exaleipho -- towipe out, erase, obliterate... to
wipe out, erase, obliterate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exaleipho
Phonetic Spelling: (ex-al-i'-fo) Short Definition: I
wipe away, obliterate
...1591. ekmasso -- to knead out, by anal. towipe dry
... towipe dry. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekmasso Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-mas'-so) Short Definition: Iwipe,wipe off thoroughly Definition: Iwipe...
631. apomasso -- towipe off
... towipe off. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apomasso Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-om-as'-som-ahee) Short Definition: Iwipe off Definition: Iwipe off,wipe...
5584. pselaphao -- to feel or grope about
... investigate). [5584 () comes from a root meaning, "to rub,wipe"; hence,
to feel on the (see Gen 27:12,21,22 in the ).]. Word Origin...
4067. peripsema -- offscouring
... wiped-off filth. Word Origin from peri and psao (towipe off) Definition
offscouring NASB Word Usage dregs (1). dirt, scum. From a...
Strong's Hebrew
4229a. machah -- towipe,wipe out... 4229, 4229a. machah. 4229b . to
wipe,
wipe out. Transliteration: machah
Short Definition: blot. Word Origin a prim. root Definition
...4229. machah -- towipe,wipe out
... 4228, 4229. machah. 4229a . towipe,wipe out. Transliteration: machah
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-khaw') Short Definition: abolish....
8045. shamad -- to be exterminated or destroyed
... 1), demolish (2), destroy (36), destroyed (41), destruction (2), eradicated (1),
exterminate (2), totally destroy (1), utterly destroyed (1),wipe (1)....
3582. kachad -- to hide
... destroy (1), conceal (4), concealed (2), cut off (2), denied (1), desolate (1),
destroyed (2), hid (1), hidden (4), hide (7), hides (1), perishing (1),wipe (1...
5477. Suach -- an Asherite
... Suah. From an unused root meaning towipe away; sweeping; Suach, an Israelite --
Suah. 5476, 5477. Suach. 5478 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Of the Endless Glory of the Church.
... And God shallwipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, but neither shall there be any more pain...
The Tabernacle of God with Men.
... And God willwipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will be no more death,
nor mourning, nor crying out, nor will there be any more pain: for the...
Motives to Holy Mourning
... Chrysostom calls tears a sponge towipe off sin. Tears are powerful orators for
mercy.... God shallwipe away all tears . . .' (Revelation 7:17)....
From this Perfection of Our Restored Bodies Will Flow the...
... "And sorrow and sighing," continues he, "shall flee away." [7729] The angel echoes
the same to John: "And God shallwipe away all tears from their eyes;" [7730...
Gleams of Returning Dawn
... He will neverwipe them from mine,' said Philip in a faint whisper; and, indeed,
the silent tears which he was too weak towipe away were coursing each other...
The Veil of Veronica.
... mob, the soldiers, and the archers, reached Jesus, fell on her knees before him,
and presented the veil, saying at the same time, 'Permit me towipe the face...
October 22. "Touched with the Feeling of Our Infirmities" (Heb. Iv...
... O, the tears that flow around us, Let uswipe them while we may; Bring
the broken hearts to Jesus, He willwipe their tears away....
May 15 Morning
... MAY 15 MORNING. God shallwipe away all tears: . . . there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, . . . for the former things are passed away."REV.21:4....
February 9 Morning
... shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."He
will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God willwipe away tears...
The Marriage of the Lamb.
... For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead
them unto living fountains of waters; and God shallwipe away all tears from...
Thesaurus
Wipe (24 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To rub with something soft for cleaning; to clean or dry by rubbing; as,
to
wipe the hands or face with a towel.
...Wipe (24 Occurrences).
...Sponge (3 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To cleanse orwipe with a sponge; as, to sponge a slate or a cannon;
to wet with a sponge; as, to sponge cloth. 11. (vt...
Feet (2931 Occurrences)
... In earlier years the "Double Mode" was practiced, where one person would wash the
feet of several persons and another would follow after andwipe them....
Tears (58 Occurrences)
... 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall
lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shallwipe away all tears...
Asmoneans
... the Jews, and when their wrangling about the high-priesthood afforded him an
opportunity, he resolved forever to crush the power of Judaism and towipe out its...
Wiped (25 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofWipe. Multi-Version Concordance
Wiped (25 Occurrences). Luke 7:38 Standing behind at his...
Dust (182 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Gold dust. 8. (n.) Coined money; cash. 9. (vt) To free from dust; to brush,
wipe, or sweep away dust from; as, to dust a table or a floor. 10....
Washing (56 Occurrences)
... In earlier years the "Double Mode" was practiced, where one person would wash the
feet of several persons and another would follow after andwipe them....
Tear (97 Occurrences)
... And God willwipe away every tear from their eyes." (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT
NAS RSV NIV).... The Lord Yahweh willwipe away tears from off all faces....
Wash (105 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with
tears, and didwipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet...
Resources
Will there be tears in heaven? | GotQuestions.orgHow can a Christian avoid being a doormat for other people? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the biblical solution to the problem of evil? | GotQuestions.orgWipe: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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