Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7342 cleanliness

7342 cleanliness

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7342 cleanliness

Careful, fastidious attention to personal hygiene, particularly important in the climate of the Near East. In Scripture, sin is associated with lack of cleanliness, whereas redemption and baptism are linked with washing.

Cleanliness through bathing

As part of general personal hygiene

Ruth 3:1-3 See also John 13:10

For cleansing from uncleanness

Leviticus 17:15-16 See also Leviticus 14:8-9; Leviticus 15:13; 2 Kings 5:9-14

Cleanliness through washing feet

A customary practice after a journey

Genesis 19:1-2 See also Genesis 18:1-5; Genesis 24:32; Genesis 43:24; 1 Samuel 25:40-42; 2 Samuel 11:6-8; Luke 7:36-47

As a sign of humility and love

John 13:2-17 See also 1 Timothy 5:9-10

Cleanliness through washing clothes

As part of general personal hygiene

Isaiah 7:3 See also 2 Kings 18:17 pp Isaiah 36:2

For cleansing from uncleanness

Leviticus 11:40 See also Exodus 19:10-11,14-15; Leviticus 13:6; Leviticus 16:26; Numbers 8:7; Numbers 19:21

Cleanliness through washing faces and hands

Matthew 6:16-18 See also Exodus 30:18-21; Exodus 40:30-31; Matthew 15:2

Cleanliness through washing infants at birth

Ezekiel 16:4-5

Cleansing agents

Jeremiah 2:22 See also Job 9:30-31; Malachi 3:2

The Pharisees' concern with outer cleanliness to the exclusion of inner purity

Mark 7:1-23 pp Matthew 15:1-20 See also Luke 11:37-41

Cleanliness used metaphorically

Lack of cleanliness associated with sin

Zechariah 3:1-7 See also Isaiah 4:4; Matthew 12:43-45 pp Luke 11:24-26

Cleanliness associated with righteousness and purity

Revelation 19:14 See also Jeremiah 4:14; Ephesians 5:25-27; Titus 3:4-7; James 4:8; Revelation 15:6; Revelation 19:8

Baptism compared to washing away sins

Acts 22:16 See also 1 Peter 3:21-22