The immersion of the body, in part or whole, for hygienic, cultic, or recreational purposes. As a normal human activity, bathing includes such instances as Pharaoh’s daughter bathing (Exod 2:5), David washing after mourning the death of Bathsheba’s child (2Sam 12:20), and the washing of an infant after birth (Ezek 16:4). A common gesture of hospitality is providing guests with water to wash their feet (Gen 18:4; Gen 19:2; Judg 19:21; John 13:4-17; 1Tim 5:10). As a ritual act, bathing to remove ritual pollution is part of the priestly consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons (Exod 29:4; Exod 30:17-21; Exod 40:30-32; Lev 8:6; Lev 16:4; Lev 16:24). Nonpriestly ritual bathings include purification from leprosy (Lev 14:8-9) and other kinds of personal uncleanness or pollution (Lev 15; Num 19), washings that perhaps serve hygienic as well as ritual purposes. Figuratively, washing or bathing is a universal symbol of moral cleanness, e.g., the cleansing of the hands (Ps 26:6; Ps 73:13; Isa 1:15-18) or the heart (Ps 51:17; Jer 4:14). Also to be classed as figurative are the washings associated with healing miracles, such as the curing of Naaman’s leprosy (2Kgs 5:10-14) and the restoration of sight to the man born blind (John 9:7).
