a prolonged form of an obsolete (to "flow"); to "plunge", i.e. launder clothing:--wash. Compare λούω, νίπτω.
Transliteration:plýnō
Pronunciation:ploo'-no
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb πλύνω (G4150) is derived from an obsolete root suggesting "to flow" or "to plunge." Its primary and most consistent meaning is "to wash" specifically in the context of clothes, fabrics, or items like fishing nets. This implies a thorough cleansing process, often involving immersion or vigorous agitation in water. It is crucial to distinguish πλύνω from other Greek verbs related to washing: `{{G3068}}` (λούω), which refers to washing the entire body (to bathe), and `{{G3538}}` (νίπτω), which denotes washing parts of the body, such as hands or feet. πλύνω is almost exclusively reserved for the laundering of textiles and similar materials, emphasizing a process of purification external to the person but applied to their belongings.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, πλύνω (G4150) appears only twice, but its usage is highly significant.
In [[Luke 5:2]], it describes fishermen "washing their nets" after a night of toil. This literal usage aligns perfectly with the base definition, illustrating the practical application of cleansing equipment used in daily life. The washing of nets, like clothes, would involve a thorough process to remove debris and prepare them for future use.
The second, and arguably most profound, occurrence is in [[Revelation 7:14]]: "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Here, the physical act of washing garments is elevated to a powerful metaphor for spiritual purification and redemption. The "robes" symbolize the righteousness and character of the saints, which are made pure and white not by their own efforts, but "in the blood of the Lamb," referring to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The Septuagint (LXX) provides extensive background for understanding πλύνω (G4150), where it frequently translates the Hebrew verb *kabas* (כָּבַס), which also specifically means "to wash clothes." This usage is pervasive in the Mosaic Law, particularly concerning ritual purity. For example, πλύνω is used in [[Exodus 19:10]] and [[Exodus 19:14]], where the people are commanded to wash their clothes as a prerequisite for approaching God at Mount Sinai, highlighting the necessity of outward purity for sacred encounters. Numerous passages in Leviticus and Numbers (e.g., [[Leviticus 11:25]], [[Leviticus 13:54]], [[Numbers 19:7]]) detail the washing of garments as a means of ritual cleansing after contact with defilement (e.g., disease, unclean animals, corpses). This consistent Old Testament usage establishes πλύνω as a key term in the lexicon of ceremonial purification, where the physical act symbolized a necessary separation from impurity. Furthermore, the prophetic literature employs this imagery metaphorically, as seen in [[Psalm 51:7]] (LXX 50:9), where the psalmist prays, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity," using the language of laundering to express a desire for deep moral cleansing. Similarly, [[Jeremiah 2:22]] uses πλύνω to describe a futile attempt to wash away sin with external means, underscoring the need for internal transformation.
### Related Words & Concepts
As noted, πλύνω (G4150) is closely related to, yet distinct from, `{{G3068}}` (λούω, to bathe the whole body) and `{{G3538}}` (νίπτω, to wash parts of the body). This precise semantic range underscores the meticulous nature of ancient Greek vocabulary concerning acts of cleansing.
Thematically, πλύνω is deeply intertwined with concepts of:
* **Purity:** Both ritual purity (as in the Old Testament Law) and spiritual/moral purity (as in the prophetic and New Testament applications).
* **Cleansing:** The act of removing defilement, whether physical, ceremonial, or spiritual.
* **Sanctification:** The process of being set apart for God's holy purposes, often involving a cleansing from sin.
* **Atonement:** Particularly in [[Revelation 7:14]], the washing of robes in the blood of the Lamb directly links cleansing to the atoning work of Christ.
* **Transformation:** The outcome of the washing process is often a change in state, from defiled to clean, from stained to white.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of πλύνω (G4150) evolves from the Old Testament's emphasis on ritual purity to the New Testament's revelation of spiritual redemption. In the Mosaic Law, the repeated command to "wash clothes" served as a tangible reminder of God's absolute holiness and humanity's inherent defilement. It highlighted the necessity of external purity as a prerequisite for approaching a holy God. This physical act was a shadow, pointing to a deeper spiritual reality. The prophets often leveraged this imagery to call for genuine repentance, recognizing that no amount of external washing could cleanse a defiled heart without true moral change.
In the New Testament, particularly in the apocalyptic vision of [[Revelation 7:14]], the imagery of "washing robes in the blood of the Lamb" transcends mere ritual. It powerfully articulates the core doctrine of justification and sanctification through Christ. The "great tribulation" from which the saints emerge signifies their perseverance and faithfulness, but their purity is not self-achieved. Their robes are made "white" (symbolizing purity, righteousness, and victory) solely by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. This signifies:
1. **Redemptive Efficacy:** The blood of Christ is the ultimate cleansing agent, far surpassing any physical water or ritual.
2. **Imputed Righteousness:** Believers are declared righteous and made pure by Christ's work, not their own merit.
3. **Spiritual Transformation:** The external act of washing clothes becomes a profound metaphor for the internal spiritual cleansing that regenerates and sanctifies the believer.
Thus, πλύνω in Revelation encapsulates the gospel message: humanity's need for cleansing and God's provision for it through the Lamb's sacrifice, resulting in a people made pure and fit for His presence.
### Summary
The Greek verb πλύνω (G4150) precisely denotes the washing of clothes, fabrics, or similar items, distinguishing it from other forms of washing the body. Its consistent usage in the Old Testament Septuagint, translating the Hebrew *kabas*, underscores its critical role in ritual purity laws, where washing garments was an essential step for ceremonial cleansing and approaching God. This established a foundational understanding of πλύνω as a term for thorough external purification. In the New Testament, specifically in [[Revelation 7:14]], πλύνω takes on profound theological weight, symbolizing the spiritual cleansing and righteousness that believers receive through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. The "washing of robes in the blood of the Lamb" represents not merely outward ritual but the deep, transformative purification and justification that makes the redeemed pure, white, and worthy to stand before God. Thus, πλύνω bridges the Old Testament's emphasis on ceremonial cleansing with the New Testament's revelation of spiritual redemption, highlighting the necessity of purity for fellowship with a holy God.
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