Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Concept Cleanness in the biblical context often refers to both physical purity and spiritual or moral purity. It is a state of being free from sin, impurity, or defilement. The concept of cleanness is deeply rooted in the laws and teachings of the Old and New Testaments, where it is associated with holiness and the proper worship of God. Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, cleanness is frequently discussed in the context of the Levitical laws. These laws provided detailed instructions on how the Israelites were to maintain physical and ceremonial cleanness. For example, Leviticus 11 outlines dietary laws that distinguish between clean and unclean animals. Leviticus 11:47 states, "You must distinguish between the clean and the unclean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not." Ceremonial cleanness was essential for participation in religious activities and worship. Various rituals, such as washing and sacrifices, were prescribed to restore cleanness after defilement. Leviticus 15:31 emphasizes the importance of maintaining cleanness: "You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling My dwelling place, which is among them." Moral and Spiritual Cleanness Beyond physical and ceremonial aspects, cleanness also encompasses moral and spiritual purity. The Psalms and Proverbs frequently highlight the importance of a clean heart and righteous living. Psalm 51:10 is a plea for spiritual renewal: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." The prophets also called for cleanness in the lives of the Israelites, urging them to turn away from sin and idolatry. Isaiah 1:16 exhorts, "Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil." New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, Jesus Christ redefines the concept of cleanness, emphasizing the importance of inner purity over external rituals. In Mark 7:15 , Jesus teaches, "Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, but what comes out of a man, that is what defiles him." This shift highlights the significance of the heart's condition and the moral choices of individuals. The Apostle Paul also addresses cleanness in his epistles, urging believers to live holy lives. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 , he writes, "Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Symbolism and Application Cleanness is symbolically associated with the washing away of sin and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism, for instance, is a New Testament ordinance symbolizing the cleansing of sin and the believer's new life in Christ. Ephesians 5:26 speaks of Christ's sanctifying work: "to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word." Believers are called to pursue cleanness in their daily lives, striving for holiness and purity in thought, word, and deed. This pursuit is not merely an external observance but a reflection of a transformed heart and a commitment to living according to God's standards. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The state or quality of being clean.2. (n.) Purity of life or language; freedom from licentious courses. Greek 2514. katharotes -- cleanness ... cleanness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: katharotes Phonetic Spelling: (kath-ar-ot'-ace) Short Definition: cleanness, purity Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2514.htm - 7k 54. hagnotes -- purity, chastity Strong's Hebrew 1252. bor -- cleanness, pureness... 1251, 1252. bor. 1253 . cleanness, pureness. Transliteration: bor Phonetic Spelling: (bore) Short Definition: cleanness. Word Origin ... /hebrew/1252.htm - 6k 5356. niqqayon -- innocency Library Of Cleanness of Mind How Perfect Love is Gotten by Cleanness and Love: and of Imperfect ... Whether the Sixth Beatitude, "Blessed are the Clean of Heart," Etc ... Wherefore, that Thou May'st be Rightly Disposed Both for Thy Soul ... Of the Setting of Man's Life Whether the Moral virtues Pertain to the Contemplative Life? Of Divers Gifts of God's Chosen: and How Saints Come to Love in ... A Word from the Beloved's Own Mouth. "And Ye are Clean. " --John ... David's Song of victory Of Perfect Love: and what must be had for Ghostly Joy: and of Love ... Thesaurus Cleanness (9 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Cleanness (9 Occurrences). ... He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ... /c/cleanness.htm - 9k Rewarded (37 Occurrences) Recompensed (20 Occurrences) Uncleanness (56 Occurrences) Eyesight (7 Occurrences) Purity (16 Occurrences) Cleaning (8 Occurrences) Goats (134 Occurrences) Whiteness (1 Occurrence) Tooth (7 Occurrences) Resources Is cleanliness next to godliness? | GotQuestions.orgWhy were a husband and wife considered unclean after they had sexual relations? | GotQuestions.org What is the Order of DeMolay? | GotQuestions.org Cleanness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Cleanness (9 Occurrences)Hebrews 9:13 2 Samuel 22:21 2 Samuel 22:25 2 Chronicles 30:19 Job 22:30 Psalms 18:20 Psalms 18:24 Proverbs 22:11 Amos 4:6 Subtopics Hygiene: General Scriptures Concerning Related Terms |