Definition and Context: In biblical terms, "wiping" refers to the act of cleaning or removing something, often associated with purification, humility, or service. The act of wiping can be both literal and symbolic, representing the removal of physical dirt or spiritual impurity.

Biblical Instances:

1. Wiping of Feet: One of the most notable instances of wiping in the Bible is found in the New Testament, where it is associated with humility and service. In John 13:5, Jesus washes the feet of His disciples and wipes them with a towel. This act is a profound demonstration of servanthood and love. Jesus says, "After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him" (John 13:5). This act of wiping is symbolic of cleansing and serving others, setting an example for His followers to emulate.

2. Wiping of Tears: The Bible also speaks of God wiping away tears, symbolizing comfort and the end of suffering. In Revelation 21:4, it is written, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" . This promise of wiping away tears is a powerful image of God's compassion and the hope of eternal peace and joy in His presence.

3. Wiping of Perfume: In Luke 7:37-38, a sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet with perfume and wipes them with her hair. "As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume" . This act of wiping is an expression of repentance, love, and devotion, highlighting the transformative power of forgiveness and grace.

Symbolism and Themes:

· Humility and Service: Wiping, particularly in the context of washing feet, is a symbol of humility and the call to serve others selflessly. Jesus' act of wiping His disciples' feet is a model for Christian behavior, emphasizing the importance of serving one another in love.

· Cleansing and Purification: Wiping is often associated with cleansing, both physically and spiritually. It signifies the removal of impurities and the restoration of purity and holiness.

· Comfort and Restoration: The imagery of God wiping away tears conveys His role as a comforter and restorer. It assures believers of His presence in times of sorrow and His promise of ultimate redemption and healing.

Theological Implications: The act of wiping in the Bible underscores key Christian doctrines such as servanthood, forgiveness, and the hope of eternal life. It reflects the character of God as compassionate and merciful, inviting believers to participate in His work of love and restoration. Through the simple yet profound act of wiping, the Bible communicates deep spiritual truths about the nature of God and the call to live a life of humility and service.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Wipe.1813. exaleipho -- to wipe out, erase, obliterate
... [1813 () originally meant, "to plaster, rub smooth, or whitewash." Later it referred
to "wiping out" in the sense of "to " (rubbing out a writing or seal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1813.htm - 7k

4676. soudarion -- a handkerchief, a head cloth (for the dead)
... Of Latin origin; a sudarium (sweat-cloth), ie Towel (for wiping the perspiration
from the face, or binding the face of a corpse) -- handkerchief, napkin. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4676.htm - 6k

1591. ekmasso -- to knead out, by anal. to wipe dry
... Word Origin from ek and masso (to knead) Definition to knead out, by anal. to
wipe dry NASB Word Usage wipe (1), wiped (3), wiping (1). wipe. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1591.htm - 6k

4229a. machah -- to wipe, wipe out
... wipe, wipe out NASB Word Usage blot (12), blotted (11), destroys (1), utterly blot
(1), wash off (1), wipe (1), wipe...away (1), wiped (1), wipes (3), wiping (1 ...
/hebrew/4229a.htm - 5k

In what Way God Commands Nothing Impossible. Works of Mercy, Means ...
... Book II. Chapter 3 [III.]"In What Way God Commands Nothing Impossible.
Works of Mercy, Means of Wiping Out Sins. Now these people ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 3 iii in what way.htm

Go in Peace
... that woman's heart, turning her from her sin to her Saviour; but when she stood
at our Master's feet, raining tears of penitence upon them, wiping them with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 48 1902/go in peace.htm

Whether the Vestments of the Ministers are Fittingly Instituted in ...
... But the subdeacon wears in addition the "maniple" on the left arm; this signifies
the wiping away of the least stains, since a maniple is a kind of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the vestments of the.htm

Troubles of Lingering at the Crossing
... Better be careful. You do not want to be deceived, do you?". Exactly, wiping the
sweat from his face: "That is a fact. This is the same old stone. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter four troubles of lingering.htm

From Parables Tertullian Comes to Consider Definite Acts of the ...
... of sinners; as when He permitted contact even with his own body to the "woman, a
sinner,""washing, as she did, His feet with tears, and wiping them with her ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xi from parables tertullian comes.htm

Civilized Barbarism (Preached for the Bishop of London's Fund, at ...
... city of the world, it was agreed that, if possible, a million sterling should be
raised during the next ten years, to do what money could do in wiping out this ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xix civilized barbarism preached.htm

10Th Day. Dying Grace.
... In a few brief moments after that tear is shed, thy God will be wiping every vestige
of it away? "O Death! where is thy sting? O Grave! where is thy victory? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the faithful promiser/10th day dying grace.htm

On Drinking.
... For constant spitting and wiping off perspiration, and hastening to evacuations,
is the sign of excess, from the immoderate use of liquids supplied in ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii on drinking.htm

Devotion to God.
... At the feet of Jesus stood a woman weeping and washing his feet with her tears
and wiping them with the hairs of her head and kissing them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/devotion to god.htm

Teaching Three Things in one Action.
... And before they can recover from their wide-eyed astonishment He begins bathing
his feet and then carefully wiping them with the convenient towel. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/teaching three things in one.htm

Wiping (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Wipe. Multi-Version Concordance
Wiping (4 Occurrences). Luke 7:38 and having stood ...
/w/wiping.htm - 7k

Napkin (3 Occurrences)
... (Gr. soudarion, John 11:44; 20:7; Lat. sudarium, a "sweat-cloth"), a cloth for wiping
the sweat from the face. ... one for wiping the fingers and mouth at table. ...
/n/napkin.htm - 8k

Feet (2931 Occurrences)
... Jesus pointedly contrasts Simon's neglect of even giving Him water for His feet
with the woman's washing His feet with tears and wiping them with her hair ...
/f/feet.htm - 17k

Washing (56 Occurrences)
... Jesus pointedly contrasts Simon's neglect of even giving Him water for His feet
with the woman's washing His feet with tears and wiping them with her hair ...
/w/washing.htm - 38k

Nailing (2 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and
he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; (WEB KJV WEY ASV ...
/n/nailing.htm - 7k

Upside (7 Occurrences)
... 21:13 I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the
house of Ahab; and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and ...
/u/upside.htm - 8k

Ordinances (119 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and
he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; (WEB KJV ASV DBY ...
/o/ordinances.htm - 37k

Opposed (23 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and
he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; (See NIV). ...
/o/opposed.htm - 13k

Legal (13 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Colossians 2:14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against
us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; (See RSV). ...
/l/legal.htm - 10k

Wipeth (1 Occurrence)

/w/wipeth.htm - 6k

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