The term "wiped" in the biblical context often conveys the idea of cleansing, removal, or obliteration of something undesirable or sinful. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where God’s actions and human responses frequently involve the removal of sin, guilt, or impurity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the notion of being "wiped" clean is closely associated with the sacrificial system and the laws of purification. The Hebrew word often translated as "wipe" or "blot out" is מָחָה (machah), which can mean to erase or obliterate. This is seen in passages like Exodus 32:32-33, where Moses intercedes for the Israelites after the sin of the golden calf, saying, "But now, please forgive their sin. But if not, then blot me out of the book you have written." The Lord responds, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book."

The concept of wiping away sin is also evident in the Psalms. In Psalm 51:1-2, David pleads for mercy after his sin with Bathsheba, asking God to "blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." Here, the act of blotting out is synonymous with divine forgiveness and purification.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the idea of being "wiped" clean is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The sacrificial death of Christ is seen as the ultimate means by which sins are wiped away. Colossians 2:14 speaks of Christ having "canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross." The imagery here is of a legal debt being wiped clean, emphasizing the completeness of Christ's atoning work.

The Book of Revelation also uses the imagery of wiping away, but in a broader eschatological sense. Revelation 21:4 promises, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This passage highlights the ultimate restoration and renewal that God will bring about, where all sorrow and suffering are removed.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of being "wiped" clean underscores the transformative power of God's grace. It reflects the biblical theme of redemption and the hope of restoration. The act of wiping away sin is not merely a legal transaction but a relational restoration between God and humanity. It signifies the removal of barriers that separate humans from God, allowing for reconciliation and renewed fellowship.

In the sacramental life of the Church, the idea of being wiped clean is symbolically represented in the rite of baptism, where believers are cleansed from sin and initiated into the Christian community. This act serves as a tangible reminder of the spiritual cleansing that occurs through faith in Christ.

Practical Application

For believers, the assurance that sins are wiped away through Christ provides a foundation for living a life of holiness and gratitude. It calls for a response of repentance, faith, and obedience, recognizing that the cleansing work of God is both a gift and a call to transformation. The promise of God wiping away every tear also offers hope and comfort in the face of suffering, encouraging believers to persevere with the assurance of future glory.(imp. & p. p.) of Wipe.1813. exaleipho -- to wipe out, erase, obliterate
... Word Origin from ek and aleipho Definition to wipe out, erase, obliterate NASB Word
Usage canceled (1), erase (1), wipe (1), wipe away (1), wiped away (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1813.htm - 7k

1591. ekmasso -- to knead out, by anal. to wipe dry
... Word Origin from ek and masso (to knead) Definition to knead out, by anal. to
wipe dry NASB Word Usage wipe (1), wiped (3), wiping (1). wipe. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1591.htm - 6k

4067. peripsema -- offscouring
... Transliteration: peripsema Phonetic Spelling: (per-ip'-so-mah) Short Definition:
scrapings, offscourings Definition: scrapings, offscourings, wiped-off filth. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4067.htm - 6k

6. abad -- to perish
... 1), perish (61), perished (16), perishes (7), perishing (2), ruined (4), surely
perish (3), take (1), utterly destroy (1), wandering (1), wastes (1), wiped (1 ...
/hebrew/6.htm - 6k

4229a. machah -- to wipe, wipe out
... Definition to wipe, wipe out NASB Word Usage blot (12), blotted (11), destroys
(1), utterly blot (1), wash off (1), wipe (1), wipe...away (1), wiped (1), wipes ...
/hebrew/4229a.htm - 5k

By a Like Simile, the Reasonableness of the Work of Redemption is ...
... By a like simile, the reasonableness of the work of redemption is shewn. How Christ
wiped away our ruin, and provided its antidote by His own teaching. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 10 by a like.htm

Jesus' Conditions of Friendship.
... She came weeping, and, falling at his feet, wet them with her tears, and
then wiped them with her dishevelled hair and kissed them. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter iv jesus conditions of.htm

A Friend for the Sorrowful
... down her face. Then as her tears dropped on to the feet of Jesus, she stooped
down and wiped them away with her long hair. And then ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter vii a friend for.htm

Mary During the Scourging of Our Lord.
... the scourging, Mary came to herself for a time, and saw her Divine Son all torn
and mangled, being led away by the archers after the scouring: he wiped his eyes ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxiii mary during the.htm

Mary of Magdala.
... was anointing His feet. As her tears fell she wiped His feet with her long
hair, and kissed them again and again. Simon looked at ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xix mary of magdala.htm

The Word Appears in Different Forms; the Time of his Coming in ...
... I suppose"in this also following the Apostle, but comparing also the sayings of
Ezekiel, in which the sins of him who is a perfect convert are wiped out, and ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/30 the word appears in.htm

Of the Concord Between Matthew, Mark, and John in their Notices of ...
... the woman who approached the feet of Jesus on that occasion in the character of
a sinner, and kissed them, and washed them with her tears, and wiped them with ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter lxxix of the concord between.htm

Forgiveness of the Repentant Woman.
... house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, and standing behind at his feet,
weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/forgiveness of the repentant woman.htm

Jesus Makes Even Wrong-Doers his Friends
... of perfume. She stood behind at his feet, weeping; and as her tears began
to wet his feet, she wiped them with her hair. And she ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus makes even wrong-doers his.htm

Multum Dilexit
... She sat and wept, and with her untress'd hair. Still wiped the feet she was
so blest to touch; And He wiped off the soiling of despair. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ccci multum dilexit.htm

Wiped (25 Occurrences)
...Wiped (25 Occurrences). ... John 11:2 It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with
ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother, Lazarus, was sick. ...
/w/wiped.htm - 14k

Wipe (24 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her
tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and ...
/w/wipe.htm - 14k

Poured (155 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:38 and, standing behind close to His feet, weeping, began to wet His feet
with her tears; and with her hair she wiped the tears away again, while she ...
/p/poured.htm - 37k

Anointed (132 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her
tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and ...
/a/anointed.htm - 41k

Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her
tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and ...
/o/ointment.htm - 18k

Wet (25 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her
tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and ...
/w/wet.htm - 15k

Tears (58 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her
tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and ...
/t/tears.htm - 27k

Testaments
... First Philip and after him Alexander wiped out the last remnants of this liberty,
and Greece became a fighting machine for the conquest of the world in the ...
/t/testaments.htm - 35k

Perfume (202 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:38 and, standing behind close to His feet, weeping, began to wet His feet
with her tears; and with her hair she wiped the tears away again, while she ...
/p/perfume.htm - 38k

Hair (135 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her
tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and ...
/h/hair.htm - 60k

What did Jesus mean when He said, “It is finished”? | GotQuestions.org

Will we remember our earthly lives when we are in Heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Do gay people go to heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Wiped: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus