Lexical Summary katharotés: Purity, cleanness Original Word: καθαρότης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance purification. From katharos; cleanness (ceremonially) -- purification. see GREEK katharos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2514 katharótēs (a feminine noun) – purification, particularly a type resulting from ceremonial cleansing (making acceptable offerings). See 2513 (katharos). [In contrast, 2512 /katharismós ("purification") focuses on the divine source (the Lord), bringing the cleansing about which makes something unmixed (pure).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom katharos Definition cleanness NASB Translation cleansing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2514: καθαρότηςκαθαρότης, καθαροτητος, ἡ (καθαρός), cleanness, purity; in a levitical sense, τίνος, Hebrews 9:13. (Xenophon, mem. 2, 1, 22; Plato, others.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Greek 2514, katharotēs, denotes the state of being clean or pure, whether ceremonially, morally, or spiritually. While the noun appears only once in the Greek New Testament, the concept of purity threads through the whole of Scripture, linking Old Covenant ritual cleansing with New Covenant transformation of heart and conscience. Occurrence in Scripture Hebrews 9:13 supplies the single New Testament use: “For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean…”. Here katharotēs speaks of outward ritual purity achieved through Mosaic legislation, immediately contrasted with the inward, superior cleansing accomplished by Christ (Hebrews 9:14). Background in Levitical Law Purity regulations permeate Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Sacrifices, washings, and priestly protocols safeguarded Israel’s access to the tabernacle, highlighting the holiness of God and the defilement of sin (Leviticus 11–16; Numbers 19). The “ashes of a heifer” (Numbers 19:17) specifically anticipates the reference in Hebrews 9:13. Ritual katharotēs pointed beyond itself; it was never ultimate, but typological and preparatory. Fulfillment in Christ Hebrews positions Christ as the climactic answer to every Old Testament shadow. His self-offering secures purity at the level of conscience, not merely flesh. “How much more will the blood of Christ…purify our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14). What the Law illustrated externally, Christ realizes internally, satisfying divine justice and regenerating the believer. Purity of Heart and Conscience Although katharotēs itself is rare, the call to inward purity saturates the New Testament. Jesus blesses “the pure in heart” (Matthew 5:8). Paul urges believers to “cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). James exhorts, “Purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8). These texts extend the Hebrews contrast: genuine purity is inseparable from faith, repentance, and the indwelling Spirit. Pastoral and Ministerial Application 1. Worship: Pure conscience is essential for bold access to God (Hebrews 10:22). Elders and worship leaders shepherd congregations toward sincere confession and reliance on Christ’s finished work rather than external performance. Historical Reception in the Church Early fathers saw Hebrews 9:13-14 as pivotal for understanding typology. Athanasius argued that ceremonial katharotēs revealed humanity’s need for a divine purifier; Augustine stressed that inner purity, wrought by grace, alone enables the vision of God. The Reformers, echoing Hebrews, contended that justification produces a clean conscience apart from works, while sanctification progressively conforms life to that purity. Theological Reflections Katharotēs bridges continuity and discontinuity between covenants. God’s demand for purity never changes, yet His provision finds completion in Christ. The single use of the noun in Hebrews underscores this watershed moment: Old Testament shadows gathered into one decisive reality on Calvary. Consequently, purity is both gift and calling—imputed through faith and practiced through Spirit-empowered obedience (Philippians 2:12-13). Homiletical and Discipleship Uses Sermons on Hebrews 9 can contrast external religion with internal regeneration, calling hearers to rest in Christ while pursuing practical holiness. Small-group studies may trace purity themes from Leviticus to Revelation, reinforcing biblical theology and personal application. Memory verses such as Psalm 51:10 and 1 John 3:3 ground believers in continual dependence on divine cleansing. Prayerful Considerations “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10) remains the believer’s cry, answered definitively in the cross yet daily applied by the Spirit. As the church awaits the Bridegroom, she prepares “without spot or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27), living out the katharotēs secured once for all by the blood of the Lamb. Forms and Transliterations καθαροτητα καθαρότητα καθάρσεως κάθαρσιν katharoteta katharotēta katharóteta katharótētaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |