"to purify; to purify morally, reform, to live like one under a vow of abstinence, as the Nazarites"
Definition and meaning
to purify; to purify morally, reform, to live like one under a vow of abstinence, as the Nazarites
In the original Greek the word is written: ἁγνίζω
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of hagnizo (G48) across the King James Bible.
And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
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Common questions
Strong's G48 (hagnizo) is a Greek word that means: to purify; to purify morally, reform, to live like one under a vow of abstinence, as the Nazarites It appears 7 times in the King James Bible.
The word hagnizo (G48) appears 7 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G48 is hagnizo, a Greek word defined as: to purify; to purify morally, reform, to live like one under a vow of abstinence, as the Nazarites. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hagnizo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.