Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Soap, a cleansing agent, is mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of purification and spiritual cleansing. In ancient times, soap was made from natural ingredients such as ashes and oils, and it played a significant role in both physical and ritual cleanliness.Biblical References: 1. Jeremiah 2:22 : "Although you wash with lye and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before Me," declares the Lord GOD. This verse highlights the inadequacy of physical cleansing agents like soap to remove the spiritual stain of sin. It underscores the need for divine intervention and repentance for true purification. 2. Malachi 3:2 : "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap." Here, soap is used metaphorically to describe the purifying work of God. Just as soap cleanses garments, God’s refining process purifies the hearts of His people, preparing them for His presence. Cultural and Historical Context: In biblical times, soap was not the commercial product we know today but was made from natural substances. The process involved combining animal fats or vegetable oils with alkaline substances like ashes. This mixture would create a crude form of soap used for washing clothes and personal hygiene. The use of soap in the Bible often carries a deeper spiritual meaning. It serves as a metaphor for the cleansing power of God’s forgiveness and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. The physical act of washing with soap symbolizes the inner cleansing that believers experience through faith and repentance. Theological Significance: The references to soap in Scripture emphasize the importance of purity and holiness in the life of a believer. While physical cleanliness is necessary, the Bible teaches that spiritual cleanliness is paramount. The imagery of soap in the Bible points to the need for a heart cleansed by God’s grace, highlighting the insufficiency of human efforts to achieve righteousness on their own. The concept of cleansing is central to the Christian faith, as seen in the sacrament of baptism, which symbolizes the washing away of sin and the believer’s new life in Christ. Just as soap removes dirt from the body, the blood of Christ cleanses the soul from sin, as stated in 1 John 1:7 : "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." In summary, while soap in the Bible is a practical tool for physical cleanliness, its symbolic use underscores the profound need for spiritual purification through God’s redemptive work. Smith's Bible Dictionary SoapThe Hebrew term borith is a general term for any substance of cleansing qualities. As, however, it appears in (Jeremiah 2:22) in contradistinction to nether , which undoubtedly means "natron" or mineral alkali, it is fair to infer that borith refers to vegetable alkali, or some kind of potash, which forms one of the usual ingredients in our soap. Numerous plants capable of yielding alkalies exist in Palestine and the surrounding countries; we may notice one named hubeibeh (the Salsola kali of botanists) found near the Dead Sea, the ashes of which are called el-kuli , from their strong alkaline properties. ATS Bible Dictionary SoapMalachi 3:2, Hebrew, borith, the cleanser; in Jeremiah 2:22 distinguished from nitre, which see. It is well known that the ancient used certain vegetables and their ashes for the purpose of cleansing linen, etc. The ashes of seashore plants contain carbonate of potash. Combined with oil or fat the alkalies produced soap; but it is not known in what forms the Jews used them. Easton's Bible Dictionary (Jeremiah 2:22; Malachi 3:2; Hebrews borith), properly a vegetable alkali, obtained from the ashes of certain plants, particularly the salsola kali (saltwort), which abounds on the shores of the Dead Sea and of the Mediterranean. It does not appear that the Hebrews were acquainted with what is now called "soap," which is a compound of alkaline carbonates with oleaginous matter. The word "purely" in Isaiah 1:25 (R.V., "throughly;" marg., "as with lye") is lit. "as with bor." This word means "clearness," and hence also that which makes clear, or pure, alkali. "The ancients made use of alkali mingled with oil, instead of soap (Job 9:30), and also in smelting metals, to make them melt and flow more readily and purely" (Gesenius). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A substance which dissolves in water, thus forming a lather, and is used as a cleansing agent. Soap is produced by combining fats or oils with alkalis or alkaline earths, usually by boiling, and consists of salts of sodium, potassium, etc., with the fatty acids (oleic, stearic, palmitic, etc.).2. (v. t.) To rub or wash over with soap. 3. (v. t.) To flatter; to wheedle. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SOAPsop (borith; the King James Version sope): Borith is a derivative of bor, "purity," hence, something which cleanses or makes pure. Soap in the modern sense, as referring to a salt of a fatty acid, for example, that produced by treating olive oil with caustic soda, was probably unknown in Old Testament times. Even today there are districts in the interior of Syria where soap is never used. Cooking utensils, clothes, even the body are cleansed with ashes. The ashes of the household fires are carefully saved for this purpose. The cleansing material referred to in Jeremiah 2:22 (compare Septuagint at the place, where borith is rendered by poia = "grass") and Malachi 3:2 was probably the vegetable lye called in Arabic el qali (the origin of English alkali). This material, which is a mixture of crude sodium and potassium carbonates, is sold in the market in the form of grayish lumps. It is produced by burning the desert plants and adding enough water to the ashes to agglomerate them. Before the discovery of Leblanc's process large quantities of qali were exported from Syria to Europe. Strong's Hebrew 1287. borith -- lye, alkali, potash, soap... 1286, 1287. borith. 1288 . lye, alkali, potash, soap. Transliteration: borith Phonetic Spelling: (bo-reeth') Short Definition: soap. Word Origin fem. ... /hebrew/1287.htm - 6k 1253. bor -- lye, potash 8562. tamruq -- a scraping, rubbing Library On Re-Reading My Protest, which I Honestly Think Much Needed... These are the False Accusations; the Accusation of Classicism... For this Deep and Disabling Reason Therefore, Its Cynical and ... The Common Conception among the Dregs of Darwinian Culture is that ... The Purifying Influence of Hope Religious and Social State. The Lord Coming to his Temple The Blood of Sprinkling Now Let us Shew Briefly, if You Will, that These Things were ... To the Rev. A. Brandram Thesaurus Soap (4 Occurrences)... It does not appear that the Hebrews were acquainted with what is now called "soap," which is a compound of alkaline carbonates with oleaginous matter. ... /s/soap.htm - 10k Fuller's (4 Occurrences) Fuller (5 Occurrences) Lye (4 Occurrences) Wash (105 Occurrences) Soar (5 Occurrences) Soaked (7 Occurrences) Washing (56 Occurrences) Nitre (2 Occurrences) Niter (1 Occurrence) Resources What is the significance of the refiner's fire and launderer's soap in Malachi 3:2? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about finding satisfaction in life? | GotQuestions.org Questions about Malachi | GotQuestions.org Soap: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Soap (4 Occurrences)Job 9:30 Isaiah 1:25 Jeremiah 2:22 Malachi 3:2 Subtopics Related Terms |
    |