Original Word: ἁγνίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: hagnizó
Pronunciation: hag-NEE-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (hag-nid'-zo)
Definition: To purify, to cleanse, to sanctify
Meaning: I cleanse, purify, either ceremonially, actually, or morally.

purify oneself.

From hagnos; to make clean, i.e. (figuratively) sanctify (ceremonially or morally) -- purify (self).

see GREEK hagnos

Word Origin
from hagnos
Definition
to purify, cleanse from defilement
NASB Translation
purified (2), purifies (1), purify (3), purifying (1).

STRONGS NT 48: ἁγνίζω

ἁγνίζω; 1 aorist ἥγνισα; perfect participle active ἠγνικώς; passive ἡγνισμένος; 1 aorist passive ἡγνίσθην (Winer's Grammar, 252 (237)); (ἁγνός); to purify;

1. ceremonially: ἐμαυτόν, John 11:55 (to cleanse themselves from levitical pollution by means of prayers, abstinence, washings, sacrifices); the passive has a reflexive force, to take upon oneself a purification, Acts 21:24, 26; Acts 24:18 (הזּיר, Numbers 6:3), and is used of Nazarites or those who had taken upon themselves a temporary or a life-long vow to abstain from wine and all kinds of intoxicating drink, from every defilement and from shaving the head (cf. BB. DD. under the word ).

2. morally: τάς καρδίας, James 4:8; τάς ψυχάς, 1 Peter 1:22; ἑαυτόν, 1 John 3:3. (Sophocles, Euripides, Plutarch, others.)

Word Origin: Derived from ἁγνός (hagnós), meaning "pure" or "holy."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H2891 טָהֵר (taher): To be clean, to cleanse, purify.
• H6942 קָדַשׁ (qadash): To be holy, to consecrate, sanctify.

These Hebrew terms parallel the Greek concept of purification and sanctification, highlighting the continuity of the theme of holiness throughout the biblical narrative.

Usage: The term ἁγνίζω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of purification, often in a ceremonial or spiritual context. It can refer to both physical purification rituals and the moral or spiritual cleansing of individuals.

Context: The Greek verb ἁγνίζω appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize purification and sanctification. It is used to describe the process by which individuals or objects are made clean, either through ritualistic practices or through spiritual transformation.

In the New Testament, ἁγνίζω is notably used in Acts 21:24, where Paul participates in a purification ritual to demonstrate his adherence to Jewish law: "Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law."

The concept of purification is deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition, where ceremonial cleanliness was essential for worship and community life. In the Christian context, ἁγνίζω extends beyond physical rituals to encompass the inner purification of believers, aligning with the call to holiness and moral integrity.

James 4:8 also uses the term in a spiritual sense: "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." Here, ἁγνίζω is associated with repentance and the transformation of the heart, emphasizing the moral and spiritual dimensions of purity.

The use of ἁγνίζω in the New Testament reflects the transition from Old Testament ceremonial laws to the New Covenant's focus on inner purity and holiness. It underscores the importance of both external and internal sanctification in the life of a believer.

αγνιζει αγνίζει ἁγνίζει αγνιζόμενοι αγνίσαι αγνίσασθε αγνισατε αγνίσατε ἁγνίσατε αγνισθεις αγνισθείς ἁγνισθεὶς αγνισθήναι αγνισθήσεται αγνίσθητε αγνισθητι αγνίσθητι ἁγνίσθητι άγνισμά άγνισον αγνισωσιν αγνίσωσιν ἁγνίσωσιν ηγνικοτες ηγνικότες ἡγνικότες ηγνίσαμεν ηγνίσαντο ηγνίσθη ηγνίσθησαν ηγνισμένα ηγνισμενον ηγνισμένον ἡγνισμένον agnisate agnisosin agnisōsin agnistheis agnistheti agnisthēti agnizei egnikotes ēgnikotes egnismenon ēgnismenon hagnisate hagnísate hagnisosin hagnisōsin hagnísosin hagnísōsin hagnistheis hagnistheìs hagnistheti hagnisthēti hagnístheti hagnísthēti hagnizei hagnízei hegnikotes hegnikótes hēgnikotes hēgnikótes hegnismenon hegnisménon hēgnismenon hēgnisménonInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts