Cleaning, in the biblical context, encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions. It is a concept deeply rooted in the practices and teachings of the Bible, reflecting the importance of purity, holiness, and preparation for worship.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, cleaning often refers to the ceremonial practices required for maintaining ritual purity. The Law of Moses contains numerous instructions regarding cleanliness, particularly in the books of Leviticus and Numbers. These laws were given to the Israelites to distinguish them from other nations and to maintain a state of holiness before God.

For instance, Leviticus 11 outlines dietary laws and the distinction between clean and unclean animals. Leviticus 15 provides detailed instructions on how to handle bodily discharges, emphasizing the need for washing and purification. The act of washing with water is a recurring theme, symbolizing the removal of impurity. "He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean" (Leviticus 15:13).

The Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16, involved extensive rituals for cleansing the sanctuary, the priests, and the people of Israel. This annual event underscored the necessity of purification to atone for the sins of the nation.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from external rituals to the internal state of the heart. Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of inner purity over mere outward observance. In Matthew 23:25-26, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well" .

The concept of spiritual cleansing is further developed in the teachings of the apostles. In 1 John 1:9, believers are assured of forgiveness and cleansing from sin through confession: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" .

Baptism, a key ordinance in the Christian faith, symbolizes the washing away of sins and the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Acts 22:16 encourages believers to "Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name" .

Spiritual Implications

The Bible frequently uses the imagery of cleaning to convey spiritual truths. Psalm 51:7 expresses a heartfelt plea for purification: "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow" . This verse highlights the desire for God's cleansing power to purify the heart and soul.

The apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice, which cleanses believers and sets them apart for holy living. Ephesians 5:25-26 describes Christ's love for the church, "to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word" .

Practical Applications

In practical terms, the biblical principles of cleaning encourage believers to pursue both physical and spiritual purity. This involves maintaining personal hygiene, caring for one's body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and striving for moral and ethical integrity in daily life.

The biblical call to cleanliness serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the believer's call to live a life set apart for His purposes. Through the cleansing power of Christ's blood and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, Christians are empowered to live in a manner that reflects God's purity and righteousness.Luke 10:38-42
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Topicalbible.org

1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Clean.

2. (n.) The act of making clean.

3. (n.) The afterbirth of cows, ewes, etc.

Diamond Became a Great Favourite with all the Men About the Mews. ...
... this"-. "I'ma stupid old horse, who can't brush his own coat; but there's
my young godson on my back, cleaning me like an angel.". ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 17 diamond became a.htm

Prison Experiences for Conscience' Sake --Our Prison
... upon to do fatigue duty. The day before we were asked to do some cleaning
about camp and to bring water. We wished to be obliging ...
/.../prison experiences for conscience sakeour.htm

Further Strictures on the Same Subject.
... Hasten hither with the pin for panning the hair, and the powder for polishing the
teeth, and some forked implement of steel or brass for cleaning the nails. ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter xi further strictures on the.htm

Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph
... The maidens employed themselves with embroidery and other forms of decoration of
carpets and vestments, and also with the cleaning of these vestments and of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/vii marriage of the blessed.htm

Chapter twenty-eight
... It was the afternoon of that morning when Burns was installed in his new position
as assistant janitor that he was cleaning off the front steps of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-eight.htm

The Romans Provided Gods for Birth, Nay, Even Before Birth, to ...
... her Rumina. [962] It is a wonderful oversight that no gods were appointed
for cleaning up the filth of children. Then, to preside ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xi the romans provided gods.htm

On the Sacraments in General
... be baptized, and the saying of the words. Water is generally used for cleaning
purposes. Water, therefore, is used in Baptism as ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 13 on the sacraments.htm

A Water Haul.
... Peter was down there, just a short distance off, with his partners and crew
in their fishing boats, cleaning up after the night's haul. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/a water haul.htm

Meditation ii. The Supper-Room.
... A week before, I had seen several persons engaged in putting the stones on one side,
cleaning the court, and preparing the supper-room for the celebration of ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/meditation ii the supper-room.htm

Instructions for Fishermen
... It leads in the incident of my text to a closer discipleship, which did not admit
of Simon and John hauling or cleaning their nets any more. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/instructions for fishermen.htm

Cleaning (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cleaning (8 Occurrences). ... Now the woman who kept
the door was cleaning grain, and sleep overcame her. (BBE). ...
/c/cleaning.htm - 9k

Grain-cleaning (1 Occurrence)
Grain-cleaning. Grain, Grain-cleaning. Grain-crushers . Multi-Version
Concordance Grain-cleaning (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles ...
/g/grain-cleaning.htm - 6k

Sweeping (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Cleaning off surfaces, or cleaning away dust, dirt, or litter, as a broom
does; moving with swiftness and force; carrying everything before it ...
/s/sweeping.htm - 7k

Testing (46 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 13:9 And I will make the third part go through the fire, cleaning them
as silver is made clean, and testing them as gold is tested: and they will ...
/t/testing.htm - 19k

Cleanness (9 Occurrences)

/c/cleanness.htm - 9k

Grain-crushers (2 Occurrences)
Grain-crushers. Grain-cleaning, Grain-crushers. Grain-crushing . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (BBE). Grain-cleaning, Grain-crushers. Grain-crushing . ...
/g/grain-crushers.htm - 7k

Glean (12 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To pick up or gather anything by degrees. 6. (n.) A collection made by gleaning.
7. (n.) Cleaning; afterbirth. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/g/glean.htm - 11k

Graving (7 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Grave. 2. (n.) The act of cleaning a ship's bottom. 3. (n.) The act
or art of carving figures in hard substances, esp. by incision or in intaglio. ...
/g/graving.htm - 10k

Winnowing (7 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 15:7 And I have sent a cleaning wind on them in the public places of the
land; I have taken their children from them; I have given my people to ...
/w/winnowing.htm - 9k

Wipe (24 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The lapwing. 2. (vt) To rub with something soft for cleaning; to clean
or dry by rubbing; as, to wipe the hands or face with a towel. ...
/w/wipe.htm - 14k

What is hyssop? What was hyssop used for in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Cleaning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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