The term "ablution" refers to the act of washing or cleansing, particularly in a religious or ceremonial context. In the context of infants, ablution often pertains to the practices associated with purification or dedication rituals. While the Bible does not explicitly mention the ablution of infants as a distinct practice, various passages and traditions have been interpreted to relate to the concept.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, purification rituals are a significant aspect of religious life, though they are primarily focused on adults. The Law of Moses includes numerous instructions regarding ceremonial cleanliness, which indirectly influence practices related to infants. For instance, Leviticus 12 outlines the purification process for a woman after childbirth, which includes a period of waiting and the offering of sacrifices. This passage, while not directly addressing infant ablution, sets a precedent for the importance of ritual purity following birth.

Leviticus 12:6-8 :
"When the days of her purification are complete, whether for a son or for a daughter, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. Then the priest will present them before the LORD and make atonement for her, and she will be ceremonially cleansed from her flow of blood. This is the law for a woman giving birth, whether to a male or to a female. But if she cannot afford a lamb, she may bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. Then the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean."

New Testament Context

The New Testament does not provide specific instructions regarding the ablution of infants. However, the practice of baptism, which involves the use of water as a symbol of purification and initiation into the faith, is a significant rite that has been extended to infants in many Christian traditions. The baptism of infants is often seen as a form of spiritual cleansing and dedication to God.

Acts 2:38-39 :
"Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call.'"

Cultural and Historical Practices

Throughout Christian history, the practice of infant baptism has been a topic of theological debate and varying traditions. In many denominations, infant baptism is viewed as a continuation of the covenantal promises made to the people of Israel, akin to the rite of circumcision. The use of water in baptism symbolizes the washing away of original sin and the child's entry into the Christian community.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the ablution of infants through baptism is often associated with the concepts of grace, covenant, and community. It signifies the belief that God's grace is extended to individuals from the earliest stages of life, and it marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. The practice underscores the communal aspect of faith, as the congregation often plays a role in supporting the spiritual growth of the baptized child.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention the ablution of infants, related practices and theological interpretations have developed over time, particularly through the rite of baptism. These practices reflect broader themes of purification, dedication, and inclusion within the faith community.Ezekiel 16:4
And as for your nativity, in the day you were born your navel was not cut, neither were you washed in water to supple you; you were not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.
Nave's Topical Index

Of the Baptism of Infants when There is Some Doubt of their Being ...
... Of the baptism of infants when there is some doubt of their being already ... had been
baptized or no; lest they might through that doubt lose the divine ablution. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lxxii greek lxxv of.htm

On Baptism and Paedo-Baptism
... the infants be born of parents who are themselves in the covenant, or if one of
their parents be among the covenanted people of God, both because ablution in ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxiii on baptism and.htm

Baptism.
... Whilst it is thus apparent that the baptism of infants was the established order
of the ... as is the filth of the skin and body in the ordinary ablution of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii baptism.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... passage demonstrates that the Apostolic Church recognised the holiness of infants,
or in ... that water may be applied, in many ways, as the means of ablution. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

Of Baptism.
... Its existence in infants. ... For he did not mean to intimate that our ablution and
salvation are perfected by water, or that water possesses in itself the virtue ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 of baptism.htm

Articuli visitatorii.
... is an external washing of water, by which a certain internal ablution from sin is ...
The infants of Christians are already holy before Baptism in the womb of the ...
/.../the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/articuli visitatorii.htm

P??dobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and ...
... If, by baptism, Christ intends to attest the ablution by which he cleanses his Church,
it would seem not equitable to deny this attestation to infants, who are ...
/.../chapter 16 paedobaptism its accordance.htm

The Oration on Holy Baptism.
... you despise it for its cheapness. Every time is suitable for your ablution,
since any time may be your death. With Paul I shout to ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xl the oration on.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... tranquilly at table, with the details of the feast carefully recorded at his side,
from the first moment when water is brought to him for ablution, to that when ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Ablution: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus