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Grafted Biblical Concept · Concept

Purification

καθαρισμός · katharismós · G2512

Purification is the process by which ritual uncleanness, contamination, or defilement is removed so that a person or object may return to an appropriate state of cleanness.

7 Scripture references1 lexical sources7 supporting resources

Primary Study

Grafted Bible Dictionary

Definition

Purification is the process by which ritual uncleanness, contamination, or defilement is removed so that a person or object may return to an appropriate state of cleanness.

Torah

Purification procedures appear extensively in:
• Leviticus 11–15
• Numbers 19
Processes may involve:
• washing
• waiting
• water
• sacrifice
• priestly examination
depending upon the circumstance.

Ritual Versus Moral Purification

Not all purification concerns sin.
Many ritual impurities arise from ordinary human conditions such as:
• childbirth
• bodily discharges
• contact with death

Temple Significance

Purity becomes especially important where sacred space is concerned.
The closer one approaches God's sanctuary, the greater the concern for holiness and purity.

Yeshua

Gospel stories involving:
• lepers
• bleeding individuals
• corpses
become richer when read against biblical purity systems.

Apostolic Imagery

Purification language becomes a metaphor for cleansing from sin in passages such as:
• Messiah's priesthood, sacrifice, covenant mediation, and heavenly ministry.">Hebrews 1:3
• Hebrews 9
• 1 John 1:7–9
Editorial source: Grafted Bible Dictionary · Entry 78

Hebrew and Greek Word Study

Greek Word Study

καθαρισμός

katharismós · G2512

Original Word
καθαρισμός
Transliteration
katharismós
Strong’s
G2512
Meaning
cleansing, + purge, purification(-fying)

Unified Lexical Definition

a washing off, i.e. (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation

Related Words

G2512primary lemma

Lexical Sources

STRONG'SStrong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

a washing off, i.e. (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation

View original lexicon entry
{
    "strongs": "G2512",
    "language": "greek",
    "lemma": "καθαρισμός",
    "transliteration": "katharismós",
    "pronunciation": "",
    "part_of_speech": "",
    "glosses": [
        "cleansing, + purge, purification(-fying)"
    ],
    "definitions": [
        "a washing off, i.e. (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation"
    ],
    "administrator_commentary": "",
    "source": {
        "dataset": "Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon",
        "provider": "Open Scriptures",
        "url": "https://github.com/openscriptures/strongs",
        "license": "CC BY-SA"
    },
    "version": 1,
    "updated_at": "2026-08-05T10:42:03-05:00",
    "strong": "G2512"
}

New Testament Usage

7 occurrences

View All Greek Occurrences

Sources: Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

Biblical Usage

Concordance and Scripture Usage

7Exact Lemma28Conceptual Relationship
Gospels · 5
Mark 1:44Exact LemmaLuke 2:22Exact LemmaLuke 5:14Exact LemmaJohn 2:6Exact LemmaJohn 3:25Exact Lemma
Epistles · 2
Hebrews 1:3Exact Lemma2 Peter 1:9Exact Lemma

Reference Works

Bible Dictionary, Encyclopedia, and Names

Unified Dictionary Summary

Purification is the process by which ritual uncleanness, contamination, or defilement is removed so that a person or object may return to an appropriate state of cleanness.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)
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 (Ex. 30:18-21; Heb. 6:2, "baptisms", R.V. marg., "washings;" 9:10); sprinkling with blood and water (Ex. 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.

Sources: Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)

Related Content13 items

Clean

Clean in biblical ritual terminology refers to a state of ritual fitness or purity that allows appropriate participation in sacred life.

Unclean

Unclean refers to a ritual condition that may restrict participation in sacred space or activities until purification occurs.

Temple

The Temple was the central sanctuary associated with God's covenantal presence and Israel's worship in Jerusalem.

Atonement

Atonement refers to the means by which sin, impurity, guilt, or covenant disruption is addressed so that reconciliation and restoration can occur.

Holiness

Holiness refers fundamentally to being set apart, sacred, or belonging uniquely to God.

Blood

Blood represents life, death, purification, sacrifice, covenant, and accountability in biblical theology.

Baptism

Baptism refers to ritual immersion associated in the New Testament with repentance, discipleship, identification with Messiah, forgiveness, and entry into the believing community.

PURIFICATION

Nave’s Topical Bible references for PURIFICATION.

PURIFICATIONS

Nave’s Topical Bible references for PURIFICATIONS.

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 (Ex. 30:18-21; Heb. 6:2, "baptisms", R.V. marg., "washings;" 9:10); sprinkling with blood and water (Ex. 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.

Tenth deal

I.e., the tenth part of an ephah (as in the R.V.), equal to an omer or six pints. The recovered leper, to complete his purification, was required to bring a trespass, a sin, and a burnt offering, and to present a meal offering, a tenth deal or an omer of flour for each, with oil to make it into bread or cakes (Lev. 14:10, 21; comp. Ex. 16:36; 29:40).

Turtle, Turtle-dove

Its peculiar peaceful and gentle habit its often referred to in Scripture. A pair was offered in sacrifice by Mary at her purification (Luke 2:24). The pigeon and the turtle-dove were the only birds permitted to be offered in sacrifice (Lev. 1:14; 5:7; 14:22; 15:14, 29, etc.). The Latin name of this bird, turtur, is derived from its note, and is a repetition of the Hebrew name tor. Three species are found in Palestine, (1) the turtle-dove (Turtur auritus), (2) the collared turtle (T. risorius), and (3) the palm turtle (T. Senegalensis). But it is to the first of these species which the various passages of Scripture refer. It is a migratory bird (Jer. 8:7; Cant. 2:11, 12). "Search the glades and valleys, even by sultry Jordan, at the end of March, and not a turtle-dove is to be seen. Return in the second week of April, and clouds of doves are feeding on the clovers of the plain. They overspread the whole face of the land." "Immediately on its arrival it pours forth from every garden, grove, and wooded hill its melancholy yet soothing ditty unceasingly from early dawn till sunset. It is from its plaintive and continuous note, doubtless, that David, pouring forth his heart's sorrow to God, compares himself to a turtle-dove" (Ps. 74:19).

Water of purification

Used in cases of ceremonial cleansings at the consecration of the Levites (Num. 8:7). It signified, figuratively, that purifying of the heart which must characterize the servants of God.

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