Word Study for G48 (ἁγνίζω)

hagnízō /hag-nid'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἁγνός

Meaningto make clean, i.e. (figuratively) sanctify (ceremonially or morally)

KJV usagepurify (self).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of hagnízō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word hagnízō, represented by G48, means to make clean or sanctify. It appears 7 times in 7 unique verses. The term is used in two distinct ways: to describe a formal, ceremonial cleansing for religious rituals, and also to convey a deeper, figurative purification of the heart and soul.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G48 is used to describe both external rites and internal transformation. On a ceremonial level, Jews arriving in Jerusalem for the Passover would purify themselves John 11:55. The apostle Paul also partook in this practice, purifying himself in the temple to demonstrate his observance of the law (Acts 21:26, Acts 24:18). In a moral sense, the word is used as a command to believers. James exhorts those who are "double minded" to purify their hearts James 4:8, and Peter writes of believers who have purified their souls by obeying the truth 1 Peter 1:22.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the concept of purification:

G2511 katharízō (to cleanse): This word is often used in parallel with G48 to describe a complete purification. It calls for sinners to cleanse their hands while they purify their hearts James 4:8.
G49 hagnismós (purification): This noun form of G48 refers to the act or process of cleansing. It is used in the context of Paul completing the "days of purification" in the temple Acts 21:26.
G53 hagnós (pure): As the root word for G48, it describes a state of being clean or innocent. It serves as the ultimate standard for believers, who are to purify themselves "even as he is pure" 1 John 3:3.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G48 is significant, highlighting key aspects of sanctification.

Ceremonial and Moral Purity: The word bridges the Old Testament concept of ritual cleansing Acts 21:24 with the New Testament emphasis on inward, moral purity of the heart and soul 1 Peter 1:22.
Active Participation: The use of G48 often emphasizes human responsibility. Believers are called to actively purify themselves 1 John 3:3 and purify their hearts James 4:8 as a response to God.
The Goal of Purification: The purpose of this purification is not merely the removal of defilement. It is undertaken to draw near to God James 4:8, to enable sincere love for others 1 Peter 1:22, and to reflect the very purity of God 1 John 3:3.

Summary

In summary, G48 is a multifaceted term that encompasses more than a simple act of washing. It illustrates the biblical concepts of both ceremonial and moral purification. The word moves from an external religious rite to an internal, sanctifying action, demonstrating that true purity involves a transformation of the heart that prepares a believer for fellowship with God and with others.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 7 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Passive Imperative 2nd Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Perfect Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 7 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (3 verses); never once in the other 22.

John

Acts

James

1 Peter

1 John

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.