### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **bôrîyth**, represented by `{{H1287}}`, translates to **sope** and is defined as a vegetable alkali. This term is rare, appearing only **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in scripture, yet it carries significant metaphorical weight in both instances.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H1287}}` serves as a powerful symbol for cleansing, though with different implications in each context. In Jeremiah, it represents the futility of human efforts to remove spiritual stain. Though one might **wash** `{{H3526}}` with **nitre** `{{H5427}}` and use much **soap**, their **iniquity** `{{H5771}}` remains **marked** `{{H3799}}` before the **Lord** `{{H136}}` **GOD** `{{H3069}}` [[Jeremiah 2:22]]. Conversely, in Malachi, it illustrates the intense purifying power of God's presence, which is compared to both a refiner's **fire** `{{H784}}` and fullers' **soap** [[Malachi 3:2]]. The verse questions who can **abide** `{{H3557}}` or **stand** `{{H5975}}` this divine cleansing.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the theme of purification and judgment associated with **bôrîyth**:
* `{{H3526}}` **kâbaç** (to wash): This word describes the action for which soap is used. It appears in the context of trying to **wash** away iniquity in [[Jeremiah 2:22]] and is implied by the term "fullers' soap" in [[Malachi 3:2]].
* `{{H5771}}` **ʻâvôn** (iniquity): This is the indelible stain that human cleansing efforts, including the use of **soap**, cannot remove in [[Jeremiah 2:22]].
* `{{H6884}}` **tsâraph** (to refine): Used in parallel with **bôrîyth** in [[Malachi 3:2]] ("a refiner's fire"), this word broadens the purification metaphor to include the intense, testing process of refining precious metals.
* `{{H5427}}` **nether** (nitre): This mineral potash is mentioned alongside **soap** as another cleansing agent in [[Jeremiah 2:22]], reinforcing the idea that no earthly substance can erase sin.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1287}}` is centered on the concept of purification.
* **The Inadequacy of External Cleansing:** Jeremiah uses **soap** to powerfully illustrate that sin is not a surface stain. No amount of external or self-initiated washing can remove the **iniquity** `{{H5771}}` that is **marked** `{{H3799}}` before God [[Jeremiah 2:22]].
* **Divine Presence as a Purifying Agent:** In Malachi, the coming of the Lord is itself the cleansing agent. His presence is like **soap** and a refiner's **fire** `{{H784}}`, suggesting a process that is both cleansing and a form of judgment that is difficult to **abide** `{{H3557}}` [[Malachi 3:2]].
* **Judgment and Refinement:** The pairing of **soap** with fire highlights that God's purification is not gentle. It is a thorough and trying process that separates the impure, much like a fuller beats clothes clean or a refiner melts metal to remove dross.
### Summary
In summary, **bôrîyth** is a potent biblical metaphor for cleansing. Though used only twice, it contrasts the absolute futility of human attempts to purify the self from **iniquity** with the unavoidable and intensely purifying power of God's own presence. This simple word for **soap** thus communicates a profound truth about the nature of sin and divine judgment.
TRV