ἐκ-κᾰθαίρω G1571
cleanse thoroughly, purify, clean out completely
This compound verb means to cleanse out or purify thoroughly. Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 5:7 commanding believers to 'cleanse out the old leaven,' and 2 Timothy 2:21 speaks of cleansing oneself from dishonorable associations. The prefix 'ek-' intensifies the purification, suggesting complete removal rather than surface cleaning. Ancient usage included clearing land of monsters and polishing statues to perfection.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Referring to thorough purification or removal of contamination, this sense applies to both moral and ceremonial cleansing. 1 Corinthians 5:7 uses the Passover imagery of removing old leaven, while 2 Timothy 2:21 speaks of self-purification from dishonorable vessels. The metaphor emphasizes complete removal of what defiles, not merely covering or controlling it. 2×
AR["طَهَّرَ", "نَقّوا"]·ben["শুদ্ধ-কর", "শুদ্ধ-করে"]·DE["reinigen"]·EN["cleanse-out", "cleanses"]·FR["purifier", "ἐκκαθάρῃ"]·heb["טַהֲרוּ", "יְטַהֵר"]·HI["शुदध-करे", "साफ़-करो"]·ID["Bersihkanlah", "membersihkan"]·IT["ekkatharē", "purificare"]·jav["ngresiki", "resikana"]·KO["깨끗하게-하면", "제거하라"]·PT["limpai", "se-purificar"]·RU["Очистите", "очистит"]·ES["Limpiad", "se-limpiare"]·SW["Iondoeni", "akijitakasa"]·TR["temizlerse", "temizleyin"]·urd["صاف-کرو", "صاف-کرے"]
Related Senses
H3548 1. priest, cultic officiant (750×)G5547 1. Christ, Messiah, Anointed One (540×)H5030 1. Prophet, divine spokesperson (317×)H5930a 1. burnt offering (sacrifice) (286×)H3881 1. Levites (priestly class) (283×)G4396 1. prophet, spokesperson of God (146×)H6944 1. sanctuary, holy place (129×)G0749 1. high priest, chief priest (123×)H6944 2. holiness, sacredness (abstract quality) (123×)G5330 1. Pharisee (99×)G4336 1. pray to God (86×)H6944 3. holy things, sacred offerings (plural) (86×)H3722a 1. make ritual atonement (Piel) (85×)H6912 1. bury (Qal active) (82×)H6419 1. pray (Hitpael) (80×)H6944 4. holiness (with possessive pronoun) (77×)H6942 1. sanctify, consecrate (Piel factitive) (76×)H2930a 1. Qal: be/become unclean (75×)H7819a 1. slaughter an animal (Qal active) (72×)H1486 1. lot (object cast for decisions) (71×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐκ-κᾰθαίρω, Ionic dialectaorist I-εκάθηρα Refs 5th c.BC+, Attic dialect -εκάθᾱραRefs 4th c.BC+:— cleanse out: __1 with accusative of the thing cleansed, clear out, οὐρούς τ᾽ ἐξεκάθαιρον Refs 8th c.BC+; τὴν κοιλίην Hdt.[same place]; μήτρας, ὀδόντας, Refs 5th c.BC+; χθόνα ἐκκαθαίρει κνωδάλων he clears this land of monsters, Refs 4th c.BC+; τὸν βίον (i.e.the world) Refs 2nd c.AD+; ἐ.τινά, ὥσπερ…