Definition and Usage:
Whitewash, in biblical terms, refers to a superficial covering or deceptive appearance that conceals the true nature of something. It is often used metaphorically to describe hypocrisy, false righteousness, or the act of covering up sin and corruption with a façade of purity or integrity.

Biblical References:

1. Ezekiel 13:10-15 : In this passage, God condemns the false prophets of Israel who lead the people astray by prophesying peace when there is no peace. They are compared to those who whitewash a flimsy wall, making it appear strong and stable when it is not. The Lord declares that He will bring down the wall and expose the falsehood, saying, "Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: In My wrath I will release a windstorm, and in My anger torrents of rain and hail will fall with destructive fury. I will tear down the wall you have whitewashed and level it to the ground, so that its foundation is exposed. It will fall, and you will be destroyed within it. Then you will know that I am the LORD."

2. Matthew 23:27-28 : Jesus uses the imagery of whitewash to criticize the Pharisees and teachers of the law for their hypocrisy. He says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Here, whitewash symbolizes the outward appearance of righteousness that conceals inner corruption.

Theological Implications:

Whitewash serves as a powerful metaphor for the dangers of hypocrisy and the importance of genuine righteousness. It warns against the temptation to present a false image of holiness while neglecting the true transformation of the heart. The Bible consistently emphasizes that God sees beyond outward appearances and judges the intentions and conditions of the heart.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient times, whitewash was a common practice used to beautify and protect structures. It involved applying a mixture of lime and water to walls, giving them a clean and bright appearance. However, this coating was often superficial and could easily be washed away, revealing the underlying material. This practice provided a vivid illustration for biblical writers to convey the idea of superficiality and deceit.

Moral and Ethical Lessons:

The concept of whitewash challenges believers to examine their own lives for areas where they might be presenting a false front. It calls for authenticity in one's relationship with God and others, urging individuals to seek true repentance and transformation rather than merely covering up sin. The biblical admonition against whitewash encourages a life of integrity, where one's outward actions align with inner convictions and faith.

Application for Believers:

Believers are encouraged to pursue a life of sincerity and truth, avoiding the pitfalls of hypocrisy. This involves regular self-examination, confession, and a commitment to living out one's faith authentically. By doing so, Christians can avoid the judgment that comes from living a double life and instead experience the freedom and joy of a genuine relationship with God.1. (n.) Any wash or liquid composition for whitening something, as a wash for making the skin fair.

2. (n.) A composition of line and water, or of whiting size, and water, or the like, used for whitening walls, ceilings, etc.; milk of lime.

3. (v. t.) To apply a white liquid composition to; to whiten with whitewash.

4. (v. t.) To make white; to give a fair external appearance to; to clear from imputations or disgrace; hence, to clear (a bankrupt) from obligation to pay debts.

WHITEWASH

hwit'wosh: the American Revised Version margin gives "whitewash" for "untempered mortar" in Ezekiel 13:10 and 22:28. `Her prophets have daubed for them,' i.e. seconded them, "with whitewash," thus giving "a slight wall" (13:10 margin) a specious appearance of strength.

See MORTAR; UNTEMPERED.

2867. koniao -- to plaster over
... to plaster over. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: koniao Phonetic Spelling:
(kon-ee-ah'-o) Short Definition: I whitewash Definition: I whitewash, plaster ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2867.htm - 6k

1813. exaleipho -- to wipe out, erase, obliterate
... [1813 () originally meant, "to plaster, rub smooth, or whitewash." Later it referred
to "wiping out" in the sense of "to " (rubbing out a writing or seal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1813.htm - 7k

8602b. taphel -- whitewash
... whitewash. Transliteration: taphel Short Definition: whitewash. Word Origin from
an unused word Definition whitewash NASB Word Usage whitewash (5). ...
/hebrew/8602b.htm - 5k

7874. sid -- to whitewash
sid or sud. 7873, 7874. sid or sud. 7875 . to whitewash. Transliteration:
sid or sud Phonetic Spelling: (seed) Short Definition: coat. ...
/hebrew/7874.htm - 6k

7875. sid -- lime, whitewash
... 7874, 7875. sid. 7876 . lime, whitewash. Transliteration: sid Phonetic
Spelling: (seed) Short Definition: lime. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/7875.htm - 6k

The King's Farewell
... A religion which is mostly whitewash is as common among us as ever it was in Jerusalem;
and its foul accompaniments of corruption becoming more rotten every ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the kings farewell.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... We may be thankful, on the whole, that it was an age of whitewash. Carter, writing
of Westminster Abbey, records one thing with hearty gratitude. ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

The New Testament Obscured the True Origin and the Historical ...
... and significance. Canonising works like whitewash; it hides the original
colours and obliterates all the contours. The Synoptics ...
/.../harnack/the origin of the new testament/ 6 the new testament.htm

John xii. 34
... For as those who whitewash decayed walls, cannot by the plastering make them sound,
so too those who lie are easily found out, as in fact was the case here ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxviii john xii 34.htm

The Way of Fellowship
... selves from those with whom we ought to be in fellowship; we are not going to window
dress and put on appearances; nor are we going to whitewash and excuse ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 3 the way of.htm

A Solemn Warning for all Churches
... places. What is the use of garnishing the shell when you have lost the kernel.
Go and whitewash, for the life is gone. Garnish the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/a solemn warning for all.htm

The Fig-Tree.
... 'Your new moons and Sabbaths"the calling of assemblies"I cannot away with; it is
iniquity even the solemn meeting.' These are only as the whitewash of your ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xix the fig-tree.htm

The Flag of the World
... all attacks, soothing every one with assurances. He will not wash the world,
but whitewash the world. All this (which is true of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/v the flag of the.htm

The Christian Conception of Life Has Already Arisen in Our Society ...
... The judges, whose duty it is to judge and condemn criminals, conduct the
proceedings so as to whitewash them as far as possible. ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter xi the christian conception.htm

Theater-Going.
... least in the most of them! You can not reform vice; you may whitewash a
sin, but it will be sin, still. To purify a character or ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/v theater-going.htm

Whitewash (7 Occurrences)
... lime. 3. (vt) To apply a white liquid composition to; to whiten with whitewash.
4 ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WHITEWASH. hwit'wosh ...
/w/whitewash.htm - 9k

Daub (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel compares the flatteries of the false prophets to a slight wall covered
with whitewash (literally, "spittle"). See Ezekiel 13:10, 22:28. ...
/d/daub.htm - 8k

Daubed (9 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:14 So will I break down the wall that you have daubed with whitewash,
and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation shall be uncovered ...
/d/daubed.htm - 9k

Passion (82 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:15 So I will let loose my passion on the wall in full measure, and on
those who put whitewash on it; and I will say to you, Where is the wall, and ...
/p/passion.htm - 37k

Levelled (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:14 So I will let the wall, which you were covering with whitewash, be
broken down; I will have it levelled to the earth so that its base is uncovered ...
/l/levelled.htm - 8k

Whiten (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vt) To make white; to bleach; to blanch; to whitewash; as, to whiten a wall;
to whiten cloth. Multi-Version Concordance Whiten (1 Occurrence). ...
/w/whiten.htm - 7k

Whitewashed (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Whitewash. Multi-Version Concordance
Whitewashed (3 Occurrences). Matthew 23:27 "Alas for ...
/w/whitewashed.htm - 7k

White-reddish (4 Occurrences)
White-reddish. Whiter, White-reddish. Whitewash . Multi-Version Concordance
White-reddish (4 Occurrences). ... Whiter, White-reddish. Whitewash . Reference ...
/w/white-reddish.htm - 7k

White (756 Occurrences)
... See Cabbage butterfly, under Cabbage. 13. (vt) To make white; to whiten; to whitewash;
to bleach. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HORSE, WHITE. ...
/w/white.htm - 9k

Ice-drops (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:11 Say to those who put whitewash on it, There will be an overflowing
shower; and you, O ice-drops, will come raining down; and it will be broken in ...
/i/ice-drops.htm - 8k

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