ab-lū ́shun: The rite of ablution for religious purification seems to have been practiced in some form in all lands and at all times. The priests of Egypt punctiliously practiced it (Herodotus ii.37). The Greeks were warned “never with unwashed hands to pour out the black wine at morn to Zeus” (Hesiod, Opera et Dies v. 722; compare Homer, Iliad vi.266; Od. iv. 759). The Romans also observed it (Virgil, Aeneid ii.217); as did and do Orientals in general (compare Koran, Sura Romans 5:8, etc.).
Ablutions for actual or ritual purification form quite a feature of the Jewish life and ceremonial. No one was allowed to enter a holy place or to approach God by prayer or sacrifice without having first performed the rite of ablution, or “sanctification,” as it was sometimes called (Exodus 19:10; 1 Samuel 16:5; 2 Chronicles 29:5; compare Josephus, Ant, XIV, xi, 5).
Three kinds of washing are recognized in Biblical and rabbinical law: (1) washing of the hands, (2) washing of the hands and feet, and (3) immersion of the whole body in water. (1 and 2 = Greek νιπτω, niptō; 3 = Greek λούω, loúō).
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Author: International Std. Bible Encyclopedia
Keywords: Ablution, Wash, Washing, Washed, Water ablution, Baptism, Ceremonial washing, Bathe, Bathing, Hand washing, Washing hands
Bible reference(s): 1 Samuel 16:5, 2 Chronicles 29:5, Exodus 19:10, Exodus 29:4, Exodus 30:19, Exodus 40:31, Hebrews 9:10, Leviticus 15:11, Leviticus 16:24, Leviticus 22:4, Mark 7:3, Matthew 15:2, Numbers 19:7, Psalms 26:6, Psalms 73:13
Source: James Orr (editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 5 volume set.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.