Lexical Summary katharismos: Cleansing, purification Original Word: καθαρισμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cleansing, purificationFrom katharizo; a washing off, i.e. (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation -- cleansing, + purge, purification(-fying). see GREEK katharizo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2512 katharismós (a masculine noun derived from 2511 /katharízō, "to purge") – purification, which results from God removing undesirable admixtures (eliminating impurities). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom katharizó Definition a cleansing NASB Translation cleansing (2), purification (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2512: καθαρισμόςκαθαρισμός, καθαρισμοῦ, ὁ (καθαρίζω), a cleansing, purification; a ritual purgation or washing (Vulg.purgatio, pnrifcatio, emundatio): used with a genitive of the subjunctive, τῶν Ἰουδαίων, of the washings of the Jews before and after their meals, John 2:6; without a genitive, of baptism (a symbol of moral cleansing), John 3:25; with a genitive of the object, and that a person — of the levitical purification of women after childbirth, Luke 2:22; and of lepers, Mark 1:44; Luke 5:14; with a genitive of the thing, ἁμαρτιῶν or ἁμαρτημάτων, a cleansing from the guilt of sins (see καθαρίζω, 1 b. β.): wrought now by baptism, 2 Peter 1:9, now by the expiatory sacrifice of Christ, Hebrews 1:3 on which cf. Kurtz, Commentary, p. 70; (Exodus 30:10; τῆς ἁμαρτίας μου, Job 7:21; of an atonement, Lucian, asin. 22). Topical Lexicon Overview The Greek noun translated “purification” or “cleansing” appears seven times in the New Testament. In every setting it points to the removal of defilement—whether ceremonial, physical, moral, or spiritual—under God’s covenantal standards. The word bridges the Old Testament ritual washings and sacrifices with the New Testament revelation of Christ’s once-for-all atonement and the believer’s ongoing sanctification. Old Testament Background Under the Law, purification rites guarded Israel’s fellowship with a holy God. Water was applied after contact with death, childbirth, or disease (Leviticus 12; Numbers 19), and sacrificial blood or birds were prescribed for lepers (Leviticus 14). These rites never removed sin in themselves; they pointed forward to a greater cleansing (Hebrews 10:1–4). Ceremonial Purifications in Jewish Life 1. Household vessels for washings – John 2:6 describes “six stone water jars … for the Jewish ceremonial washing, each holding twenty to thirty gallons.” Such jars were common around first-century synagogues and homes, providing adequate water for multiple ritual immersions (mikvaʾot). Christ’s Definitive Purification Hebrews 1:3 declares, “After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” The writer contrasts repeated temple rituals with the Son’s single, sufficient act. His seated posture signals completed work; no further sacrifice is required. All earlier cleansings find fulfillment in the cross, where blood and water flowed together (John 19:34). Purification and Christian Growth 2 Peter 1:9 warns believers who neglect virtue that they are “nearsighted … having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” The verse assumes an initial, objective purification accomplished by Christ, yet reminds readers that practical holiness must follow. Assurance flourishes where growth and gratitude accompany remembered cleansing. Historical and Cultural Insights • Stone reservoirs resisted ritual impurity better than clay, explaining their prevalence in John 2. Theological Significance 1. Typology: Every Old Covenant washing functions as a shadow of Christ’s atonement. Implications for Ministry and Discipleship • Preaching must lift eyes from external observances to the finished purification accomplished by the Lamb of God. Forms and Transliterations καθαρισμον καθαρισμόν καθαρισμὸν καθαρισμου καθαρισμού καθαρισμοῦ καθαρισμώ katharismon katharismòn katharismou katharismoûLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 1:44 N-GMSGRK: περὶ τοῦ καθαρισμοῦ σου ἃ NAS: and offer for your cleansing what KJV: thy cleansing those things INT: for the cleansing of you what Luke 2:22 N-GMS Luke 5:14 N-GMS John 2:6 N-AMS John 3:25 N-GMS Hebrews 1:3 N-AMS 2 Peter 1:9 N-GMS Strong's Greek 2512 |
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