King James Bible Dictionary

The process by which a person unclean, according to the Levitical law, and thereby cut off from the sanctuary and the festivals, was restored to the enjoyment of all these privileges.

The great annual purification of the people was on the Day of Atonement (q.v.).

But in the details of daily life there were special causes of cermonial uncleanness which were severally provided for by ceremonial laws enacted for each separate case. For example, the case of the leper (Leviticus 13, 14), and of the house defiled by leprosy (14:49-53; see also Matthew 8:2-4). Uncleanness from touching a dead body (Numbers 19:11; Hosea 9:4; Haggai 2:13; Matthew 23:27; Luke 11:44). The case of the high priest and of the Nazarite (Leviticus 21:1-4, 10, 11; Numbers 6:6, 7; Ezekiel 44:25). Purification was effected by bathing and washing the clothes (Leviticus 14:8, 9); by washing the hands (Deuteronomy 21:6; Matthew 27:24); washing the hands and feet (Exodus 30:18-21; Hebrews 6:2, "baptisms", R.V. marg., "washings;" 9:10); sprinkling with blood and water (Exodus 24:5-8; Hebrews 9:19), etc. Allusions to this rite are found in Psalms 26:6; 51:7; Ezekiel 36:25; Hebrews 10:22.

Sanitary and symbolic.

For women:

Before marriage
Esther 2:12

After childbirth
Leviticus 12:6-8; Luke 2:22

After menstruation
Leviticus 15:19-33; 2 Samuel 11:4

Of the Jews before the Passover
John 11:55

For those who have slain in battle
Numbers 31:19-24

Of lepers
Leprosy

By fire, for things that resist fire
Numbers 31:23

By blood
Exodus 24:5-8; Leviticus 14:6-7; Hebrews 9:12-14; Hebrews 9:19-22

By abstaining from sexual intercourse
Exodus 19:15

Washing in water, parts of animal sacrifices
Leviticus 1:9; Leviticus 1:13; Leviticus 9:14; 2 Chronicles 4:6

Penalty to be imposed upon those who do not observe the ordinances concerning
Leviticus 7:20-21; Numbers 19:13; Numbers 19:20

Water of
Numbers 19:17-21; Numbers 31:23

Washing hands in water, symbolic of innocency
Deuteronomy 21:6; Psalms 26:6; Matthew 27:24

Traditions of the elders concerning
Matthew 15:2; Mark 7:2-5; Mark 7:8-9; Luke 11:38

Of Paul, to show his fidelity to the law
Acts 21:24; Acts 21:26

Figurative
Psalms 26:6; Psalms 51:7; Ezekiel 36:25; Hebrews 10:22
Ablution; Defilement; Sanitation

Scriptures relating to
Genesis 35:2; Exodus 19:10; Exodus 19:14; Exodus 29:4; Exodus 30:18-21; Exodus 40:12; Exodus 40:30-32; Leviticus 8:6; Leviticus 14:8-9; Leviticus 15:4-13; Leviticus 15:16-27; Leviticus 16:4; Leviticus 16:24; Leviticus 16:26; Leviticus 16:28; Leviticus 17:15; Leviticus 22:3; Numbers 8:6-7; Numbers 8:21; Numbers 19:7-8; Numbers 19:19; 2 Chronicles 4:6; Mark 7:2-9; Matthew 15:2; Hebrews 9:10

in its legal and technical sense, is applied to the ritual observances whereby an Isr'lite was formally absolved from the taint of uncleanness. The essence of purification, in all eases, consisted in the use of water, whether by way of ablution or aspersion; but in the majora delicta of legal uncleanness, sacrifices of various kinds were added and the ceremonies throughout bore an expiatory character. Ablution of the person and of the clothes was required in the cases mentioned in (Leviticus 15:18; 11:25,40; 15:18,17) In cases of childbirth the sacrifice was increased to a lamb of the first year, with a pigeon or turtle-dove. (Leviticus 12:8) The ceremonies of purification required in cases of contact with a corpse or a grave are detailed in (Numbers 19:1) ... The purification of the leper was a yet more formal proceeding, and indicated the highest pitch of uncleanness. The rites are described in (Leviticus 14:4-32) The necessity of purification was extended in the post-Babylonian Period to a variety of unauthorized cases. Cups and pots and brazen vessels were washed as a matter of ritual observance. (Mark 7:4) The washing of the hands before meals was conducted in a formal manner. (Mark 7:3) What play have been the specific causes of uncleanness in those who came up to purify themselves before the Passover, (John 11:55) or in those who had taken upon themselves the Nazarites' vow, (Acts 21:24,26) we are not informed. In conclusion it may he observed that the distinctive feature. In the Mosaic rites of purification is their expiatory character. The idea of uncleanness was not peculiar to the Jew; but with all other nations simple ablution sufficed: no sacrifices were demanded. The Jew alone was taught by the use of expiatory offerings to discern to its fullest extent the connection between the outward sign and the inward fount of impurity.

PURIFICA'TION, noun [Latin purificatio. See Purify.]

1. The act of purifying; the act or operation of separating and removing from any thing that which is heterogeneous or foreign to it; as the purification of liquors or of metals.

2. In religion, the act or operation of cleansing ceremonially, by removing any pollution or defilement. purification by washing or by other means, was common to the Hebrews and to pagans. The Mohammedans use purification as a preparation for devotion. 2 Chronicles 30:19. Esther 2:3. Luke 2:22.

3. A cleansing from guilt or the pollution of sin; the extinction of sinful desires, appetites and inclinations.