WordNet Dictionary- [n] the act of purging of sin or guilt; moral or spiritual cleansing; "purification through repentance"
- [n] a ceremonial cleansing from defilement or uncleanness by the performance of appropriate rites
- [n] the act of cleaning by getting rid of impurities
- [n] the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or sugar etc.)
Webster's 1913 Dictionary\Pu`ri*fi*ca"tion\, n. [F. purification, L.
purificatio. See {Purify}.]
1. The act of purifying; the act or operation of separating
and removing from anything that which is impure or
noxious, or heterogeneous or foreign to it; as, the
purification of liquors, or of metals.
2. The act or operation of cleansing ceremonially, by
removing any pollution or defilement.
When the days of her purification according to the
law of Moses were accomplished. --Luke ii. 22.
3. A cleansing from guilt or the pollution of sin; the
extinction of sinful desires, appetites, and inclinations.
Easton Bible Dictionarythe 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 (Lev. 13, 14), and of the house defiled by leprosy (14:49-53; see also Matt. 8:2-4). Uncleanness from touching a dead body (Num. 19:11; Hos. 9:4; Hag. 2:13; Matt. 23:27; Luke 11:44). The case of the high priest and of the Nazarite (Lev. 21:1-4, 10, 11; Num. 6:6, 7; Ezek. 44:25). Purification was effected by bathing and washing the clothes (Lev. 14:8, 9); by washing the hands (Deut. 21:6; Matt. 27:24); washing the hands and feet (Ex. 30:18-21; Heb. 6:2, "baptisms", R.V. marg., "washings;" 9:10); sprinkling with blood and water (Ex. 24:5-8; Heb. 9:19), etc. Allusions to this rite are found in Ps. 26:6; 51:7; Ezek. 36:25; Heb. 10:22.