a primitive root; to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative; fuller, wash(-ing).
Transliteration:kâbaç
Pronunciation:kaw-bas'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H3526}}` (כָּבַס, *kâbaç*) is a primitive root whose core meaning is "to trample" or "to tread down." This physical action forms the basis for its primary derived meaning: "to wash," specifically referring to the laborious process of washing clothes by treading on them, often in water, to dislodge dirt. This method was characteristic of ancient fullers, who would also use alkaline substances. The semantic range thus extends from the literal act of cleansing garments to the figurative application of purification, particularly in a ritual or spiritual sense. It implies a thorough, often vigorous, and complete cleansing, distinguishing it from general washing (`{{H7364}}`).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H3526}}` appears frequently in the Torah, especially in the books of Leviticus and Numbers, where it is central to the laws of ritual purity. It is almost exclusively used in the context of washing garments or objects to remove impurity. For instance, after contact with a carcass or a person with a discharge, individuals were required to wash their clothes (`{{H3526}}`) as part of the purification process (e.g., [[Leviticus 11:25]], [[Leviticus 13:54]], [[Numbers 31:24]]). The act of kâbaç was a necessary step to restore ritual cleanness, allowing individuals to re-enter the community or participate in worship.
Beyond the literal, kâbaç is employed figuratively in poetic and prophetic literature to describe the cleansing of sin and moral defilement. In [[Psalm 51:7]], the psalmist cries out, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!" The use of kâbaç here (often translated "wash me thoroughly" or "scrub me clean") suggests a deep, internal cleansing, akin to the vigorous treading of a fuller. Similarly, in [[Jeremiah 2:22]], the prophet laments Judah's indelible sin, stating, "Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me." This powerful image underscores the inability of human effort to truly cleanse spiritual defilement without divine intervention. The term also gives rise to the noun *kōvēs* (כֹּבֵס), meaning "fuller," a professional washer of clothes, as seen in [[2 Kings 18:17]] and [[Isaiah 7:3]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of ritual purity in the Old Testament is multifaceted, and `{{H3526}}` interacts with several related terms.
* `{{H7364}}` (רָחַץ, *rāḥaṣ*): This is a more general term for washing, often applied to the body, hands, or feet, or for general hygiene. While both kâbaç and rāḥaṣ involve washing, kâbaç specifically denotes the washing of garments, often with a more vigorous, treading action, and frequently carries a connotation of ritual purification.
* `{{H2891}}` (טָהֵר, *ṭāhēr*): To be clean, pure. This verb describes the *state* of purity, whereas kâbaç is one of the *actions* taken to achieve that state. The goal of kâbaç was often to transition from a state of impurity to a state of *ṭāhôr* (clean/pure).
* `{{H2893}}` (טָהֳרָה, *ṭohorāh*): Purification, cleanness. This noun refers to the process or result of purification.
* The broader concepts of ritual defilement (*ṭum’ah*), atonement (*kāpar*), and holiness (*qādoš*) are intimately connected, as kâbaç served as a practical means to deal with ritual impurity and move towards a state acceptable for worship in the presence of a holy God.
### Theological Significance
The act of kâbaç carries profound theological weight. On a foundational level, it underscores the meticulous requirements for purity in the presence of a holy God. The repeated command to wash garments after exposure to various forms of impurity highlights the pervasive nature of defilement in a fallen world and the necessity for a visible, tangible act of cleansing before approaching the divine. This physical act serves as a constant reminder of the separation between the holy and the profane.
Figuratively, kâbaç becomes a powerful metaphor for spiritual cleansing from sin. The vigor implied by the root "to trample" suggests that true spiritual purification is not superficial but requires a deep, transformative work. The prophetic calls for the people to be "washed" from their iniquity (e.g., [[Isaiah 1:16]]) emphasize that ritual acts alone are insufficient; a genuine change of heart and repentance are necessary for divine cleansing. While the Old Testament rituals provided a temporary covering for sin, they also pointed forward to a more complete and ultimate purification. The New Testament concept of being cleansed by the blood of Christ (e.g., [[Revelation 7:14]]) finds a conceptual antecedent in the Old Testament's emphasis on thorough washing for purity, signifying a complete and final removal of sin's stain.
### Summary
`{{H3526}}` (כָּבַס, *kâbaç*) is a Hebrew verb rooted in the physical act of "trampling," which evolved to signify the vigorous "washing" of garments, often by treading. This word is central to the Old Testament's laws of ritual purity, where it denotes the necessary cleansing of clothes to remove ceremonial defilement and restore an individual to an acceptable state before God. Beyond its literal application, kâbaç is powerfully employed in prophetic and poetic literature as a metaphor for the deep, thorough spiritual purification from sin and iniquity. It highlights the divine demand for holiness and foreshadows the ultimate cleansing provided by God.
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