In biblical times, the concept of a bathing-place was integral to both daily life and religious practices. Bathing was not only a matter of personal hygiene but also held ceremonial significance, particularly in the context of ritual purification.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several references to washing and bathing, often associated with purification rites. In Leviticus, the law given to the Israelites includes numerous instructions on washing to maintain ceremonial cleanliness. For instance, Leviticus 15:13 states, "When the man with the discharge is cleansed of his discharge, he must count off seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe his body in fresh water; then he will be clean" . This highlights the importance of bathing in the context of ritual purity.

The account of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 also underscores the significance of bathing for healing and cleansing. Naaman, a commander of the army of the king of Aram, was instructed by the prophet Elisha to wash in the Jordan River seven times to be healed of his leprosy. Initially resistant, Naaman eventually complied and was miraculously healed, demonstrating the power of obedience and faith in God's instructions.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, bathing is less frequently mentioned, but it still holds symbolic meaning. The act of washing is often associated with spiritual cleansing and renewal. In John 13:10, during the Last Supper, Jesus washes the feet of His disciples, saying, "He who has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you" . This act of humility and service by Jesus symbolizes the cleansing of sin and the importance of serving others.

The practice of baptism in the New Testament also reflects the concept of a bathing-place as a site of spiritual cleansing. Baptism, as an outward expression of inward faith, involves immersion in water, symbolizing the washing away of sin and the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Israel, bathing-places were often located near natural water sources such as rivers, springs, or wells. The mikveh, a ritual bath used for purification, was an essential part of Jewish religious life. These baths were constructed to allow for full immersion, adhering to the requirements of Jewish law.

The significance of water and bathing in biblical times extends beyond mere physical cleanliness. It represents a deeper spiritual truth, emphasizing the need for purity and holiness before God. The use of water in religious rituals underscores the transformative power of God's grace and the believer's journey toward sanctification.

Conclusion

The concept of a bathing-place in the Bible is rich with spiritual symbolism and cultural significance. From the ritual purifications of the Old Testament to the spiritual cleansings of the New Testament, bathing serves as a powerful metaphor for the believer's relationship with God, highlighting themes of obedience, humility, and renewal.7367. rachtsah -- a washing
... of rachats Definition a washing NASB Word Usage washing (2). washing. Feminine of
rachats; a bathing place -- washing. see HEBREW rachats. 7366, 7367. ...
/hebrew/7367.htm - 6k

And when Jesus came to a Certain Village, There Drew Near to Him a ...
... [1554] That diseased one answered and said, Yea, my Lord, I have no man, when the
water moveth, to put me into the bathing-place; but when I come, another ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxii and when jesus.htm

Of the Oracle Found Inscribed an a Stone, when the Walls of ...
... When rage the city wall shall overthrow,. Whose stones to fence a bathing-place
shall go: Then savage lands shall send forth myriad swarms,. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter viii of the oracle found.htm

The Prey of the Terrible
... time Golden went she could not see her alone, but somehow Wreath got her to understand
that if she went to a certain tree near the women's bathing-place, at a ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter v the prey of.htm

Some Words and Works of Jesus
... enough. This spring ran into a bathing-place called the Pool of Bethesda.
Numbers of sick persons came to bathe in that pool. One ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter vi some words and.htm

Treatise ii. On the Dress of virgins.
... yourself are polluted. You make a show of the bathing-place; the places
where you assemble are fouler than a theatre. There all ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise ii on the dress.htm

His Journey to South Russia.
... John Yeardley held a small public meeting at Nismes, and the next day, the 3rd of
the Tenth Month, set out for the bathing-place of Bagneres de Bigorre, in the ...
/.../chapter xix his journey to.htm

Bathing-place (1 Occurrence)
Bathing-place. Bathing, Bathing-place. Bathrabbim . Multi-Version
Concordance Bathing-place (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings ...
/b/bathing-place.htm - 6k

Bathing (9 Occurrences)

/b/bathing.htm - 15k

War-carriage (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:38 And the war-carriage was washed by the pool of Samaria, which was
the bathing-place of the loose women, and the dogs were drinking his blood there ...
/w/war-carriage.htm - 9k

Bathrabbim (1 Occurrence)

/b/bathrabbim.htm - 7k

Drinking (114 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:38 And the war-carriage was washed by the pool of Samaria, which was
the bathing-place of the loose women, and the dogs were drinking his blood there ...
/d/drinking.htm - 38k

Loose (219 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:38 And the war-carriage was washed by the pool of Samaria, which was
the bathing-place of the loose women, and the dogs were drinking his blood there ...
/l/loose.htm - 38k

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