“Defilement” From Dictionary of Biblical Words:
Whatever does not suit the presence and holiness of God. In the Old Testament, when -the presence of God was in the holiest, and sanctified the camp, the accidental touching of a dead body caused defilement and exclusion. In the New, “the thought of foolishness is sin,” and a “root of bitterness” defiles mane The remedy for the defilement constantly contracted by a -careless or sinful walk, is the washing of water by the word (see Num. 19 and John 13), causing one to feel sorrow for the evil, and to judge it; and upon confession (1 John 1) communion is restored.
“Sin” From Dictionary of Biblical Words:
The evil principle (called also the flesh, the old man), which was acquired at the fall. It is defined as lawlessness (1 John 3:4, R.V.); in fact, the two words are interchangeable. The essential principle of sin consists in a dependent being like man casting off his allegiance to God, and acting in independence, according to his own will apart from Divine rule. The death of Christ was to put away sin from before God (Heb. 9:26); eventually when Christ reigns, the principle will tease to be active anywhere on earth although it will exist in the hearts of unregenerate men, as will be seen at the close (Rev. 20:8). In the new heaven and earth there will be no sin. This principle ever remains in the believer (1 John 1:8), although he is responsible to keep it inactive. Those that think the root is gene deceive themselves.
“Sins” From Dictionary of Biblical Words:
The fruit of sin, the root. These are all forgiven tor Christ’s sake to those that believe in Him (1 John 2:12). All have sinned, and it is because of this, and not because they have sin that they are judged. I cannot change what I am, but I am responsible not to let my evil self act. No believer need sin. He cannot eradicate the root, but he may and ought to keep it in death that it may produce no fruit (sins), and never yield any of his members to sin (Rom. 6). For I ordinarily commit sin through the medium of my body.
“Punishment” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(pain). Capital punishment was by hanging (2 Sam. 21:6); stoning (Ex. 17:4; John 10:31); burning (Gen. 38:24); shooting (Ex. 19:13); the sword (1 Kings 2:25); drowning (Matt. 18:6); sawing (2 Sam. 12:31); crucifixion. The death penalty was inflicted for parental reviling, blasphemy, adultery, rape, idolatry, perjury. Secondary punishments were generally those of retaliation, an “eye for an eye,” etc. (Ex. 21:23-25; Deut. 19:18-21).
“Purification” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(cleansing). A ritualistic form and sanitary precaution among Hebrews (Lev. 14:4-32; Mark 7:3-4; John 11:55).
“Punishment” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
The law required that capital punishment should be inflicted for reviling a parent, blasphemy, sabbath-breaking, witchcraft, adultery, man-stealing, idolatry, murder, etc. Capital punishment was by stoning (Deut. 13:10); burning (Lev. 20:14); the sword (Ex. 32:27); and hanging (Deut. 21:22-23). It appears that those who sinned at Baal-peor were first slain, and then hanged or impaled (Num. 25:4-5); the word is yaqa, and for hanging is used only here and in 2 Samuel 21:6,9,13, when the seven descendants of Saul were “hung up to the Lord,” which may also signify being impaled. There is no record in scripture of crucifixion being practiced among the Jews. Capital punishment was at times carried out in ways not mentioned in the law: sawing asunder and cutting with harrows and axes (2 Sam. 12:31; Heb. 11:37); precipitation (2 Chron. 25:12; Luke 4:29).
For minor offenses there was flogging, which was restricted to forty stripes (Deut. 25:3). A whip with three thongs accounts for the “forty stripes less one” (2 Cor. 11:24). Also placing in the stocks (Jer. 20:2-3). In other cases the punishment was according to the offense: “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Exod. 21:24-25). Imprisonment for definite periods was not customary as a punishment, though persons were imprisoned (Gen. 39:20; 2 Kings 25:27; Jer. 37:4, 18). Punishment was needed in the government of the nation of Israel, as it is in any nation now. God’s four direct punishments were “the sword, the famine, the noisome beast, and the pestilence” (Ezek. 14:21).
The Lord, referring to the law of an individual demanding an eye for an eye, enjoined forgiveness of personal wrongs; but this in no way interferes with civil government. Christians are exhorted to obey the ordained powers, pay tribute, etc.
“Purification” From 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 Hebrew Words:
Transliteration:
chatta’ah
Meaning:
or chattacth {khat-tawth'}; from 2398; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
KJV Usage:
punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering)