Dict: easton - Purification

Purification @ the process by which a person unclean, according to the Levitical law, and thereby cut off from the sanctuary and the festivals, was restored to the enjoyment of all these privileges. The great annual purification of the people was on the Day of Atonement (q.v.). But in the details of daily life there were special causes of cermonial uncleanness which were severally provided for by ceremonial laws enacted for each separate case. For example, the case of the leper Leviticus:13-14), and of the house defiled by leprosy (14:49-53; see also kjv@Matthew:8:2-4). Uncleanness from touching a dead body kjv@Numbers:19:11; kjv@Hosea:9:4; kjv@Haggai:2:13; kjv@Matthew:23:27; kjv@Luke:11:44). The case of the high priest and of the Nazarite kjv@Leviticus:21:1-4, 10, 11; kjv@Numbers:6:6-7; kjv@Ezekiel:44:25). Purification was effected by bathing and washing the clothes kjv@Leviticus:14:8-9); by washing the hands kjv@Deuteronomy:21:6; kjv@Matthew:27:24); washing the hands and feet kjv@Exodus:30:18-21; kjv@Hebrews:6:2, "baptisms", R.V. marg., "washings;" 9:10); sprinkling with blood and water kjv@Exodus:24:5-8; kjv@Hebrews:9:19), etc. Allusions to this rite are found in kjv@Psalms:26:6 kjv@Psalms:51:7; kjv@Ezekiel:36:25; kjv@Hebrews:10:22.