COMPANION BIBLE. APPENDIX 136.  

THE SYNONYMOUS WORDS FOR "WASH".


The following nine Greek words are rendered "wash" in the English N.T. :--

  1. nipto = to wash some part of the body (as the face, hands, or feet).

  2. aponipto.  No. 1 with apo = away from (Ap. 104. iv); to wash off from (a part of the body) and for  one's self.

  3. louo = to bathe (the whole body).

  4. apolouo.  No. 3 with apo = away from (Ap. 104. iv);  to wash off from the whole body by bathing.   Occ. only in Acts 22:16, and 1Cor. 6:11.

  5. pluno = to wash (inanimate things, such as clothes).  Occ. only in Rev. 7:14.

  6. apopluno.  No. 5 with apo = away from (Ap. 104. iv);  to wash inanimate things thoroughly.  Used  only of nets (Luke 5:2).

  7. baptizo.  Rendered "wash" only in Mark 7:4, and Luke 11:38.  See Ap. 115.

  8. brecho = to wet (on the surface, like rain), moisten.

    These words must be carefully distinguished.  See notes on John 13:10;  "He that is washed (No. 3) needeth not save to wash (No. 1) his feet".

    In the Septuagint of Lev. 15:11, the three principal words are used in one verse :  "And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed (No. 1) his hands in water, he shall wash (No. 5) his clothes, and bathe himself (No. 3) in water", &c.

  9. rhantizo = to sprinkle (ceremonially), and thus cleanse or purify.  Occ. only in Heb. 9:13, 19, 21; 10:22.
     

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