In the biblical context, "washings" refer to the ceremonial and ritual practices of cleansing that are found throughout the Scriptures, particularly in the Old Testament. These practices were integral to the religious life of the Israelites and were often symbolic of spiritual purification and holiness.

Old Testament Context

The concept of washings is deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law, where various forms of washing were prescribed for both priests and laypeople. These washings were not merely for physical cleanliness but were symbolic acts representing spiritual purity and readiness to approach God.

1. Priestly Washings: The priests, who served in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, were required to perform specific washings before carrying out their duties. Exodus 30:18-21 describes the bronze basin placed between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, where Aaron and his sons were to wash their hands and feet before entering the Tent or approaching the altar, "so that they will not die." This act underscored the holiness required of those who ministered before the Lord.

2. Ritual Purity: Leviticus 15 outlines various situations that required washings for ritual purity, such as bodily discharges and contact with unclean things. These washings were necessary to restore an individual to a state of ceremonial cleanliness, allowing them to participate in communal worship and activities.

3. Purification of Objects: Numbers 19 details the use of the water of purification, made with the ashes of a red heifer, for cleansing those who had come into contact with a corpse. This ritual underscores the importance of purity in the presence of death, which was considered a source of defilement.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the practice of washings continues to hold significance, though it is often reinterpreted in light of the coming of Christ and the new covenant.

1. John the Baptist: John the Baptist's ministry included a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). This baptism was a form of washing that symbolized the cleansing of sin and the preparation for the coming Messiah.

2. Jesus and Ritual Washings: Jesus often challenged the Pharisees and religious leaders on their emphasis on external washings while neglecting inner purity. In Mark 7:1-8, Jesus rebukes them for holding to human traditions, such as the washing of hands, cups, and vessels, while their hearts remained far from God.

3. Spiritual Cleansing: The New Testament emphasizes the spiritual aspect of cleansing through the blood of Christ. Hebrews 10:22 encourages believers to "draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." This passage highlights the transition from external washings to the internal cleansing provided by Christ's sacrifice.

4. Baptism: Christian baptism, as instituted by Christ (Matthew 28:19), is a significant washing that symbolizes the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It represents the washing away of sins and the believer's new life in Christ (Acts 22:16).

Symbolism and Significance

Throughout the Bible, washings serve as a powerful symbol of purification, holiness, and the need for a clean heart before God. While the Old Testament focused on external rituals, the New Testament reveals the deeper spiritual cleansing available through faith in Jesus Christ. This shift underscores the fulfillment of the Law in Christ and the establishment of a new covenant based on grace and truth.909. baptismos -- (the act of) a dipping or washing
... Cognate: 909 -- properly, submergings (always in the plural in the NT); (figuratively)
ceremonial washings (Mk 7:4; Heb 9:10) or the profound realities of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/909.htm - 7k

Tradition
... of those who tried to observe the rabbinical requirements was one long struggle
against ceremonial defilement, an endless round of washings and purifications. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 42 tradition.htm

The Synagogue.
... a synagogue, or at least a place of prayer in a private house or in the open air
(usually near a river or the sea-shore, on account of the ceremonial washings ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 51 the synagogue.htm

A Passage Quoted by the Heretics against Repentance is Explained ...
... Because under the Law there were many baptisms or washings, he rightly rebukes those
who forsake what is perfect and seek again the first principles of the word ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ii a passage quoted.htm

Of the Law.
... also we exhort you in the Lord to abstain from your old conversation, vain bonds,
separations, observances, distinction of meats, and daily washings: for "old ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv of the law.htm

John the Baptist
... pretence. With the quibbles of the scribes concerning small and great commandments,
Sabbaths and hand-washings, John shows no affinity. ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/vi john the baptist.htm

Hebrews ix. 5-Jan
... Thou hast eaten this, Thou hast not eaten that, which are matters of indifference.
["Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings." "Thou hast ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xv hebrews ix 5-jan.htm

Perfection in Faith
... They underwent certain ceremonies, and divers washings, and so they were made
ceremonially holy; and these priests were therefore sanctified persons, because ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/perfection in faith.htm

Sunday after Easter
... Moses came with various laws relating to washings and purifications, but they were
only cleansings of the body or of the flesh and had daily to be repeated. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after easter.htm

Our Inheritance
... that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings and carnal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter v our inheritance.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... the provisions of the Mosaic law, we shall be struck with the many forms of ceremonial
uncleanness described therein, and with the "divers washings," not only ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

Washings (4 Occurrences)
...Washings (4 Occurrences). ... Hebrews 6:2 or of teaching about ceremonial washings, the
laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and the last judgement. ...
/w/washings.htm - 7k

Nonimmersionist
... the body and its symbolical use entered into almost every cult; and into none more
completely than the Jewish, whose ceremonial washings were proverbial. ...
/n/nonimmersionist.htm - 38k

Non-immersionist
... the body and its symbolical use entered into almost every cult; and into none more
completely than the Jewish, whose ceremonial washings were proverbial. ...
/n/non-immersionist.htm - 38k

View (86 Occurrences)
... the body and its symbolical use entered into almost every cult; and into none more
completely than the Jewish, whose ceremonial washings were proverbial. ...
/v/view.htm - 81k

Vessels (210 Occurrences)
... t eat when they come from the marketplace, unless they bathe themselves, and there
are many other things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups ...
/v/vessels.htm - 40k

Ceremonial (11 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Hebrews 6:2 or of teaching about ceremonial washings, the laying on of
hands, the resurrection of the dead, and the last judgement. (WEY). ...
/c/ceremonial.htm - 10k

Ablution
... (3.) There were washings prescribed for the purpose of cleansing from positive
defilement contracted by particular Acts. Of such ...
/a/ablution.htm - 18k

Lutheran
... necessarily contrary to, that of Plummer, who infers from Mark 7:4 and Hebrews
9:10 that baptismos usually means lustrations or ceremonial washings, and from ...
/l/lutheran.htm - 35k

Doctrine (52 Occurrences)
... necessarily contrary to, that of Plummer, who infers from Mark 7:4 and Hebrews
9:10 that baptismos usually means lustrations or ceremonial washings, and from ...
/d/doctrine.htm - 57k

Washing-vessel (8 Occurrences)
Washing-vessel. Washings, Washing-vessel. Washing-vessels . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (BBE). Washings, Washing-vessel. Washing-vessels . Reference Bible
/w/washing-vessel.htm - 8k

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