Purification

The process by which a person unclean, according to the Levitical law, and thereby cut off from the sanctuary and the festivals, was restored to the enjoyment of all these privileges.

The great annual purification of the people was on the Day of Atonement (q.v.).

But in the details of daily life there were special causes of cermonial uncleanness which were severally provided for by ceremonial laws enacted for each separate case. For example, the case of the leper (Lev 13, 14), and of the house defiled by leprosy (14:49-53; see also Matt 8:2-4). Uncleanness from touching a dead body (Num 19:11; Hos 9:4; Hag 2:13; Matt 23:27; Luke 11:44). The case of the high priest and of the Nazarite (Lev 21:1-4, 10, 11; Num 6:6, 7; Ezek 44:25). Purification was effected by bathing and washing the clothes (Lev 14:8, 9); by washing the hands (Deut 21:6; Matt 27:24); washing the hands and feet (Exod 30:18-21; Heb 6:2, “baptisms”, R.V. marg., “washings;” 9:10); sprinkling with blood and water (Exod 24:5-8; Heb 9:19), etc. Allusions to this rite are found in Ps 26:6; 51:7; Ezek 36:25; Heb 10:22.