ἁγνίζω (hagnizō)
hagnizō
to purify
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb hagnizō means to purify or cleanse someone from defilement. In the New Testament, it carries a dual focus: it describes both ritual washing and moral cleansing. This duality reflects its Old Testament background, where it often translated Hebrew terms for ceremonial purification.
In contexts like John 11:55 and Acts 21:24-26, hagnizō refers to physical rites of purification required by Jewish law before festivals or temple service. However, James 4:8 and 1 Peter 1:22 shift the emphasis inward, urging believers to cleanse themselves from sin. This moral application is central to its theological weight.
The word’s root relates to purity and holiness, distinguishing it from similar terms like katharizō, which can imply a broader sense of cleaning. Hagnizō often implies a deliberate act of making something or someone fit for sacred use. Its usage in 1 John 3:3 highlights this connection, linking purification with the hope of Christ’s return.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hagnizō invites us to consider what it means to be truly clean before God. In the New Testament, this term bridges the gap between external rituals and internal reality. While it originally described Jewish ceremonial washings, the apostles repurposed it to describe the cleansing of the soul through obedience and truth.
For your daily walk, this offers a profound comfort. You are not defined by past mistakes but by the ongoing work of purification in Christ. As 1 Peter 1:22 reminds us, our souls are purified through obedience to the truth. This is not about earning love, but about responding to it with a heart that seeks to reflect God’s holiness.
When you feel distant from God, remember that this purification is a two-way street. James 4:8 encourages us to draw near, promising that He will draw near in return. This hope keeps us moving forward, not in fear, but in the confident assurance that we are being made fit for His presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they may purify1×
- purifies1×
- purified1×
- having purified1×
- having been purified1×
- do purify1×
- do be purified1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἡγνισμένον1×
- ἡγνικότες1×
- ἁγνίσωσιν1×
- ἁγνίσθητι1×
- ἁγνίσατε1×
- ἁγνίζει1×
- ἁγνισθεὶς1×
Key Verses
-
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded.
This verse shifts the focus from physical washing to moral integrity, linking the act of purification directly with sincerity of heart.
-
John 11:55
Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.
This occurrence grounds the term in its historical Jewish context, showing how people prepared physically for the Passover festival.