(make) clean(-se), purge, purify
Dictionary of Biblical Words:
This is a truth taught both in the Old and New Testament. A Jew who had been cleansed by the blood of the sin-offering on the great day of atonement, was liable to become again defiled by contact with various uncleannesses, and to remove this defilement it was water, not blood, that was applied, but water that owed its efficacy to an accomplished sacrifice, as Num. 19, plainly teaches. So we, who have been cleansed by the blood, and perfected forever by that offering as to our standing, become practically defiled by contact with evil in the world, but in order to be cleansed we do not “come back to the blood,” but are cleansed by the “washing of water by the word,” as applied by the Holy Ghost We thus get cleansing by blood in 1 John 1:7, and by water in ver. 9.
Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(cleansing). A ritualistic form and sanitary precaution among Hebrews (Lev. 14:4-32; Mark 7:3-4; John 11:55).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
In the law there were many ceremonial defilements, each of which had its appointed purification. To these the scribes and Pharisees added others, such as washing the hands before eating, washing cups and plates—being very zealous in these things, while within they were full of extortion and excess (Mark 7:2-8). In Christianity the purification required extends to the heart (Acts 15:9; James 4:8); the soul (1 Peter 1:22); and the conscience through the blood of Christ (Heb. 9:14).
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Transliteration:
katharizo
Meaning:
from 2513; to cleanse (literally or figuratively)
KJV Usage:
(make) clean(-se), purge, purify