Cleanliness

Careful, fastidious attention to personal hygiene, particularly important in the climate of the Near East. In Scripture, sin is associated with lack of cleanliness, whereas redemption and baptism are linked with washing.

Cleanliness through bathing

As part of general personal hygiene

Ruth 3:1–3 See also John 13:10

One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek a resting place for you, that it may be well with you? Now is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been working, a relative of ours? In fact, tonight he is winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Therefore wash yourself, put on perfume, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.

For cleansing from uncleanness

Leviticus 17:15–16 See also Leviticus 14:8–9, Leviticus 15:13; 2 Kings 5:9–14

And any person, whether native or foreigner, who eats anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening; then he will be clean. But if he does not wash his clothes and bathe himself, then he shall bear his iniquity.”

Cleanliness through washing feet

A customary practice after a journey

Genesis 19:1–2 See also Genesis 18:1–5, Genesis 24:32, Genesis 43:24; 1 Samuel 25:40–42; 2 Samuel 11:6–8; Luke 7:36–47

Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown, and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”

As a sign of humility and love

John 13:2–17 See also 1 Timothy 5:9–10

Cleanliness through washing clothes

As part of general personal hygiene

Isaiah 7:3 See also 2 Kings 18:17 parallel Isaiah 36:2

Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out with your son Shear-jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct that feeds the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field,

For cleansing from uncleanness

Leviticus 11:40 See also Exodus 19:10–11, Exodus 19:14–15; Leviticus 13:6, Leviticus 16:26; Numbers 8:7, Numbers 19:21

Whoever eats from the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening, and anyone who picks up the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening.

Cleanliness through washing faces and hands

Matthew 6:16–18 See also Exodus 30:18–21, Exodus 40:30–31; Matthew 15:2

When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Cleanliness through washing infants at birth

Ezekiel 16:4–5

On the day of your birth your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water for cleansing. You were not rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. No one cared enough for you to do even one of these things out of compassion for you. Instead, you were thrown out into the open field, because you were despised on the day of your birth.

Cleansing agents

Jeremiah 2:22 See also Job 9:30–31; Malachi 3:2

Although you wash with lye and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before Me,” declares the Lord GOD.

The Pharisees' concern with outer cleanliness to the exclusion of inner purity

Mark 7:1–23 parallel Matthew 15:1–20 See also Luke 11:37–41

Cleanliness used metaphorically

Lack of cleanliness associated with sin

Zechariah 3:1–7 See also Isaiah 4:4; Matthew 12:43–45 parallel Luke 11:24–26

Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?” Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel. So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.” Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him, as the angel of the LORD stood by. Then the angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, then you will govern My house and will also have charge of My courts; and I will give you a place among these who are standing here.

Cleanliness associated with righteousness and purity

Revelation 19:14 See also Jeremiah 4:14; Ephesians 5:25–27; Titus 3:4–7; James 4:8; Revelation 15:6, Revelation 19:8

The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses.

Baptism compared to washing away sins

Acts 22:16 See also 1 Peter 3:21–22

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’