Definition and Usage:
The term "purge" in the biblical context generally refers to the act of cleansing or purifying from sin, impurity, or defilement. It is often associated with the removal of that which is unclean or undesirable in order to restore holiness and righteousness. The concept of purging is both physical and spiritual, encompassing the purification of individuals, communities, and even objects used in worship.

Old Testament Context:
In the Old Testament, the idea of purging is closely linked to the sacrificial system and the laws of cleanliness. The Hebrew word often translated as "purge" is "ṭāhēr," which means to cleanse or purify. For example, in Leviticus 16:30, the Day of Atonement is described as a time when atonement is made for the people to cleanse them: "For on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD."

The purging of sin is also seen in the context of judgment and discipline. In Ezekiel 20:38, God speaks of purging the rebels from among His people: "I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against Me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they live, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD."

New Testament Context:
In the New Testament, the concept of purging takes on a more spiritual dimension, often associated with the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Greek word "katharizō" is used to denote cleansing or purifying. In John 15:2, Jesus speaks of the Father as the vinedresser who prunes (or purges) every branch that bears fruit, so it will bear more fruit: "He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful."

The purging of sin is central to the work of Christ. Hebrews 1:3 states, "After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." This purification is achieved through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, offering believers a cleansed conscience and a new standing before God.

Spiritual Implications:
The process of purging is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. Believers are called to live lives of holiness, continually seeking to remove sin and impurity. In 2 Timothy 2:21, Paul writes, "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the ongoing purging of believers, convicting them of sin and leading them into righteousness. This sanctifying work is a lifelong process, as Christians are transformed into the image of Christ.

Conclusion:
The biblical concept of purging underscores the necessity of cleansing from sin and impurity to maintain a right relationship with God. It is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, highlighting God's desire for His people to be holy and set apart for His purposes.1. (v. t.) To cleanse, clear, or purify by separating and carrying off whatever is impure, heterogeneous, foreign, or superfluous.

2. (v. t.) To operate on as, or by means of, a cathartic medicine, or in a similar manner.

3. (v. t.) To clarify; to defecate, as liquors.

4. (v. t.) To clear of sediment, as a boiler, or of air, as a steam pipe, by driving off or permitting escape.

5. (v. t.) To clear from guilt, or from moral or ceremonial defilement; as, to purge one of guilt or crime.

6. (v. t.) To clear from accusation, or the charge of a crime or misdemeanor, as by oath or in ordeal.

7. (v. t.) To remove in cleansing; to deterge; to wash away; -- often followed by away.

8. (v. i.) To become pure, as by clarification.

9. (v. i.) To have or produce frequent evacuations from the intestines, as by means of a cathartic.

10. (n.) The act of purging.

11. (v. t.) That which purges; especially, a medicine that evacuates the intestines; a cathartic.

PURGE

purj: A number of words in both the Old Testament and the New Testament are so rendered in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), although frequently in the Revised Version (British and American) the older English word "purge" is displaced by the more applicable modern terms "cleanse" and "purify," since the emphatic and medical senses of the word, as we now use it, are not justified by some of the Hebrew and Greek originals. In older English the word was broader in meaning, today it is specific. Occurrences in the King James Version, with the changes made in the Revised Version (British and American), are as follows:

1. In the Old Testament:

(1) Taber, literally, "to be clean," used of the putting-away of idolatry from Judah by Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:3, 8), is translated "purge" in all VSS, but, in Ezekiel 24:13, the American Standard Revised Version changes to "cleanse."

(2) chaTa', literally, "to make a sin offering" (Psalm 51:7): is changed without improvement to "purify" in the American Standard Revised Version, while "purge" is retained in the English Revised Version.

(3) kaphar, "to cover" or "to make atonement," occurs in Psalm 65:3; Psalm 79:9 Ezekiel 43:20, 26; in the two passages in Psalms, the Revised Version (British and American) has "forgive" (the "expiate" of the margin is still better), and in Ezekiel the even more accurate "make atonement." In both

(4) tsaraph, "to refine" (Isaiah 1:25), and

(5) duach, literally, "to rinse" (Isaiah 4:4), "purge" is well retained in the Revised Version (British and American).

(6) barar, literally, "to be shining," the Revised Version (British and American) retains in Ezekiel 20:38, but in Daniel 11:35 changes to "purify."

(7) zaqaq, "to pour down" as molten metal (Malachi 3:3), also becomes "purify" in the Revised Version (British and American).

These occurrences are all in the figurative sense, and apply to sin, uncleanness, idolatry, etc. Most noteworthy is the American Standard Revised Version change of the familiar Psalm 51:7.

2. In the New Testament:

The Greek words rendered "purge" in the King James Version of the Apocrypha and New Testament are kathairo, and katharizo, and their compounds and derivatives. In all passages except four, the Revised Version (British and American) more properly translates "cleanse" (Matthew 3:12 Mark 7:19 Luke 3:17 John 15:2 Hebrews 9:14, 22; Hebrews 10:2). In Hebrews 1:3 "when he had by himself purged our sins" is changed to "had made purification of." But in the case of the verb compounded with the preps. apo and ek, i.e. apokathairo and ekkathairo (Job 12:9 1 Corinthians 5:7 2 Timothy 2:21), with strong signification to "cleanse out," the Revised Version (British and American) properly retains "purge." Most worthy of note is the change of the familiar verse in John, "Every branch, that beareth fruit, he purgeth" to "Every branch.... he cleanseth" (15:2).

Edward Mack

1571. ekkathairo -- to cleanse thoroughly
... 1571 (from 1537 , "completely out" and 2513 , "purge, cleanse") -- "cleanse ,
clean " (J. Thayer) with the of deeper sanctification. ... purge out. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1571.htm - 7k

1245. diakatharizo -- to cleanse thoroughly
... 1245 (from 1223 , "thoroughly," which intensifies 2511 , "cleanse") -- properly,
cleanse (literally, "purge back-and-forth, all the way across"). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1245.htm - 6k

2508. kathairo -- to cleanse
... purge. From katharos; to cleanse, ie (specially) to prune; figuratively, to expiate --
purge. see GREEK katharos. (kathairei) -- 1 Occurrence. 2507, 2508. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2508.htm - 6k

2511. katharizo -- to cleanse
... cleanse, purge, purify. From katharos; to cleanse (literally or figuratively) --
(make) clean(-se), purge, purify. see GREEK katharos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2511.htm - 8k

2512. katharismos -- a cleansing
... Cognate: 2512 (a noun derived from 2511 , "to purge") -- , which results from
removing undesirable admixtures (eliminating impurities). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2512.htm - 7k

2891. taher -- to be clean or pure
... 1), pronounce him clean (6), pronounce the clean (1), pronounce clean (2), pronounces
him clean (1), pronouncing it clean (1), pure (2), purge (1), purged (2 ...
/hebrew/2891.htm - 6k

1305. barar -- to purify, select
... root Definition to purify, select NASB Word Usage choice (2), chosen (2), cleanse
(1), pure you show (2), purge (2), purged (1), purified (1), purify (1 ...
/hebrew/1305.htm - 6k

2212. zaqaq -- to refine, purify
... fine, pour down, purge, purify, refine. A primitive root; to strain, (figuratively)
extract, clarify -- fine, pour down, purge, purify, refine. 2211, 2212. ...
/hebrew/2212.htm - 6k

1740. duach -- to rinse, cleanse away by rinsing or washing
... cast out, purge, wash. A primitive root; to thrust away; figuratively, to cleanse --
cast out, purge, wash. 1739, 1740. duach. 1741 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1740.htm - 6k

6884. tsaraph -- to smelt, refine, test
... cast, refiner, founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try. A primitive
root; to fuse (metal), ie Refine (literally or figuratively ...
/hebrew/6884.htm - 6k

3722. kaphar -- to cover over, pacify, make propitiation
... to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel -- appease, make (an atonement, cleanse,
disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off ...
/hebrew/3722.htm - 5k

2398. chata -- to miss, go wrong, sin
... lead astray, condemn -- bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he
hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self ...
/hebrew/2398.htm - 6k

1197a. baar -- to burn, consume
... destroy (1), devoured (1), expelled (1), heated (1), kindle (2), kindled (5), light
(1), make (2), make a clean sweep (1), make fires (1), purge (9), remove (3 ...
/hebrew/1197a.htm - 6k

To the End the Soul May Attain to the Supreme Internal Peace, it ...
... To the end the Soul may attain to the supreme internal peace, it is necessary, that
God purge it after his way, because the exercises and mortifications that ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap vii to the end.htm

That God is not the Cause of Evils.
... If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour
sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work [2611 ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xix that god is not.htm

He Compels to the Perpetration of Horrible Turpitudes.
... give heed to this at least, that if a part of their God is fettered by the copulation
of males and females which they profess to loose and purge by eating it ...
/.../chapter 47 name compels to.htm

Easter Sunday
... Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out the old
leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter sunday.htm

2 Timothy ii. 20, 21
... If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.". ...
/.../homily vi 2 timothy ii.htm

They Indeed who Say that Baptism is not to be Repeated...
... If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 19 25 they.htm

Good Friday
... the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through
the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon v good friday.htm

Sin Overcoming and Overcome
... VOLUME II: PSALMS LI to CXLV SIN OVERCOMING AND OVERCOME. 'Iniquities prevail against
me: as for our transgressions, Thou shalt purge them away.'"Psalm 65:3. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sin overcoming and overcome.htm

How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots ...
... 6. They would put the work by faith in his hand, who hath best skill to wash a foul
soul, and to purge away all their spots; and by faith pray for and expect ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter ix how to make.htm

Acts or Disputation against Fortunatus, the Manich??an.
... Hence it is that here good souls labor, serve, err, are corrupted: that they may
see the need of a liberator, who should purge them from error, loose them from ...
/.../acts or disputation against fortunatus.htm

Purge (35 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To clear from guilt, or from moral or ceremonial defilement; as, to purge
one of guilt or crime. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PURGE. ...
/p/purge.htm - 22k

Purged (19 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Purge. ... Joel 3:21 And I will purge them from the blood from which
I had not purged them: for Jehovah dwelleth in Zion. (DBY). ...
/p/purged.htm - 12k

Garner (4 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and
gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with ...
/g/garner.htm - 9k

Throughly (10 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and
gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with ...
/t/throughly.htm - 9k

Purely (4 Occurrences)
... alkali for soap) in Isaiah 1:25, the Revised Version (British and American) "thoroughly
(margin "as with lye," the King James Version "purely") purge away thy ...
/p/purely.htm - 9k

Defilement (12 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV NAS RSV). Leviticus 14:49 And he shall take, to purge the house from the
defilement, two birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, and hyssop; (DBY). ...
/d/defilement.htm - 21k

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)
... It is found often (American Revised Version) instead of "purge," "purify" (the King
James Version), renders nearly the same roots, and has the same overlapping ...
/c/cleanse.htm - 36k

Yeast (48 Occurrences)
... lump? (WEB WEY NIV). 1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out the old yeast, that you
may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed ...
/y/yeast.htm - 21k

Unleavened (51 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out the old
yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. ...
/u/unleavened.htm - 24k

Lye (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 1:25 and I will turn my hand upon thee, and thoroughly purge away thy
dross, and will take away all thy tin; (See JPS NAS RSV). ...
/l/lye.htm - 7k

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