– Ritualistic washing of hands and feet that Jews performed in certain situations, suggesting purification:
Sl 50,4-9 : Completely wash away my fault […]. Wash me and I will become whiter than snow.
Ez 36,25 : I will pour on you pure waters, which will cleanse you from all your filthiness.
Zec 13,1 : A fountain will flow […] for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, which will blot out their sins and their impurities.
– Justifications and descriptions of this gesture are found in: Ex 30,18-20: You shall make a bronze basin for washing.
Leviticus 8 :6 : He brought Aaron and his sons near and washed them with water.
Leviticus 14:15 : The priest will take the measure of oil and pour some into his left hand.
Leviticus 16:24 : He will wash his body in the holy place.
Leviticus 22: 6: He will wash his body with water, and after sunset he will be clean.
Num 8,7 : This is what you will do to purify them: sprinkle them with the water of atonement.
2Ch 4,6 : Solomon also made ten basins, […] five […] on the right and five on the left, to perform the ablutions in them.
Judg 19:21 : The travelers washed their feet, and the meal was served to them.
– Also in the NT several examples are presented. In the footwash scene, Jesus points to it as a sign of service to the brothers:
Lc 7,44 : I entered your house and you did not give me water to wash my feet.
Jn 13:1-36 : Therefore, if I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
– Then, it began to receive the meaning of purification of sins in the ritual of Christian baptism:
Acts 22:16 : Receive baptism and cleanse yourself of your sins, calling on his name.
1Cor 6:11 : But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified.
Heb 10:22 : The innermost part of the soul freed from all stains of sin and the body washed with the purifying water (of baptism).
– See BAPTISM.
