a primitive root; to thrust away; figuratively, to cleanse; cast out, purge, wash.
Transliteration:dûwach
Pronunciation:doo'-akh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H1740}}` (דּוּחַ, *dûwach*) is a primitive verb whose core meaning revolves around the forceful act of "thrusting away" or "casting out." This foundational sense of removal extends metaphorically to the concept of "cleansing," "purging," or "washing." Unlike a gentle rinse, the implied action suggests a more decisive or thorough removal of impurities, defilement, or undesirable elements. The semantic range thus moves from a literal expulsion to a ritual or moral purification, where something is made clean by the forceful removal of that which pollutes it. It signifies an active process of making something free from contamination or unsuitability.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H1740}}` appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within contexts related to cultic purity and the consecration of sacred objects. Its limited usage underscores its specialized application.
1. **[[2 Chronicles 4:6]]**: "He also made ten basins, and put five on the right side and five on the left, to wash in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in." Here, `{{H1740}}` is translated as "wash." The context is the construction of Solomon's Temple, specifically the "sea" (a large bronze basin) and the ten smaller basins used for ritual ablutions. The verb denotes the cleansing of the sacrificial animals and, more importantly, the purification of the priests themselves, essential for their sacred service. This highlights the practical application of the root in maintaining cultic cleanliness.
2. **[[Ezekiel 43:20]]**: "And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the ledge, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it." In this passage, `{{H1740}}` is rendered "cleanse" or "purge." It describes the ritual purification of the altar during its seven-day consecration. The application of blood to the altar's various parts is the divinely ordained method for removing its defilement and making it holy and acceptable for sacrifices. The "thrusting away" of impurity is achieved through the atoning power of the blood.
3. **[[Ezekiel 43:26]]**: "Seven days shalt thou purge them, and consecrate them; and they shall consecrate themselves seven days, and on the eighth day and forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings and your peace offerings upon the altar; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD." This verse continues the instructions for the altar's consecration, again using `{{H1740}}` for "purge." The repetition emphasizes the thoroughness and necessity of this purification process before the altar can be used for divine worship. The act of "purging" is intrinsically linked to "consecrating," underscoring that holiness is predicated on the removal of defilement.
Across these occurrences, `{{H1740}}` consistently refers to ritual cleansing or purification, particularly in the context of the Temple and its furnishings, preparing them for sacred use and making them acceptable to God. The "thrusting away" is not merely physical dirt but ritual impurity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of cleansing and purification is central to biblical thought, leading `{{H1740}}` to interact with several related terms and theological ideas:
* **`{{H2891}}` (ṭāhēr)**: To be clean, pure. This is a broader term for ritual and moral purity, often the *result* of the action implied by `{{H1740}}`. While `{{H1740}}` describes the *act* of cleansing, `{{H2891}}` describes the *state* of being clean.
* **`{{H7364}}` (rāḥaṣ)**: To wash, bathe. This term often refers to the washing of the body or objects for physical cleanliness, but also for ritual purification (e.g., priests washing their hands and feet before ministry). While similar in outcome, `{{H1740}}` often carries a stronger sense of forceful removal of specific defilement.
* **`{{H3586}}` (kābaś)**: To wash (clothes), tread down. Used for cleansing garments, often in contexts of purification after contact with impurity.
* **`{{H3722}}` (kāpar)**: To atone, make atonement. This is the broader theological concept of covering or purging sin and defilement, often through sacrifice. The ritual cleansing denoted by `{{H1740}}` in Ezekiel is a specific manifestation of the atoning process.
* **Holiness (`{{H6944}}`, qōdeš)**: The state of being set apart for God's exclusive use. Cleansing (`{{H1740}}`) is often a prerequisite for achieving or maintaining this state of holiness, as defilement is antithetical to God's sacred presence.
* **Defilement (`{{H2932}}`, ṭumʾāh)**: The state of ritual impurity. `{{H1740}}` is the action taken to remove this state, making something pure.
These related terms highlight that `{{H1740}}` fits within a robust biblical vocabulary concerning purity, which is crucial for approaching a holy God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1740}}` is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of God's holiness and humanity's need for purification to approach Him.
1. **Divine Demand for Purity**: The consistent use of `{{H1740}}` in cultic contexts underscores God's absolute demand for purity in all that pertains to His worship. The Temple, its furnishings, and those who minister within it must be free from any defilement to be acceptable in His sight. This reflects God's own intrinsic holiness, which cannot abide impurity.
2. **Ritual Purification and Consecration**: The act of "thrusting away" impurity is essential for consecration. In Ezekiel, the altar is not merely cleaned but "purged" with blood to make it holy and fit for divine service. This illustrates that specific, divinely ordained rituals are necessary to remove defilement and set objects or individuals apart for sacred purposes. The cleansing is an act of transformation from common or defiled to sacred.
3. **The Role of Blood in Atonement**: In Ezekiel, the cleansing of the altar is achieved through the application of blood. This powerfully foreshadows the New Testament understanding that "without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" [[Hebrews 9:22]]. The "thrusting away" of impurity is ultimately accomplished through sacrificial atonement, pointing to the ultimate cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ, which purges not just ritual defilement but sin itself.
4. **Preparation for Divine Presence and Acceptance**: The ultimate goal of the cleansing implied by `{{H1740}}` is to enable communication and acceptance between God and His people. When the priests are washed or the altar is purged, it is so that offerings can be made and accepted by the Lord. This signifies that purity is a prerequisite for fellowship with a holy God.
### Summary
The primitive Hebrew root `{{H1740}}` (דּוּחַ, *dûwach*) fundamentally means "to thrust away" or "cast out," extending metaphorically to "cleanse," "purge," or "wash." Its sparse but significant occurrences in the Hebrew Bible are exclusively found in cultic contexts, specifically related to the ritual purification of the Temple's sacred furnishings and the priests. In [[2 Chronicles 4:6]], it denotes the washing of priests and sacrificial elements. In [[Ezekiel 43:20]] and [[Ezekiel 43:26]], it describes the blood-based "purging" and consecration of the altar. Theologically, `{{H1740}}` highlights God's demand for absolute purity in worship, the necessity of divinely ordained ritual cleansing for consecration, and the profound role of blood in removing defilement. It underscores that the "thrusting away" of impurity is essential for approaching a holy God and for His acceptance of offerings, pointing ultimately to the comprehensive purification offered through Christ.
TRV