ἁγνίζω
hagnizō
to purify
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek verb ἁγνίζω (hagnizō) means to purify. In the context of the worship and rituals, it suggests a process of cleansing or making something, or someone, pure. The semantic domain indicates it is used in situations involving religious practices. This verb is used seven times in the Bible, suggesting its importance in early Christian worship and practices. Its range of usage is closely tied to the religious and ritual contexts, implying that purification is a central aspect of faith and practice. Given its meaning and usage, hagnizō highlights the significance of cleansing and purity in early Christian spirituality. The focus on purification underscores the importance of spiritual transformation and the need for followers to be 'spotless' for God's purposes.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences across the text
Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.
Acts 21:24Take them and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law.
Acts 21:26Then Paul took the men, and the next day purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
Acts 24:18amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.
James 4:8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded.
1 Peter 1:22Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently,
1 John 3:3Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.