Bible Dictionary
Fuller’s soap
Fuller’s soap was an alkaline cleansing substance used to wash and whiten cloth. It was made from materials such as plant ash and served as an image of thorough cleansing and purification.
Definition
Fuller’s soap was an alkaline cleansing substance used to wash and whiten cloth. It included vegetable alkali obtained from the ashes of certain plants, while nitre was another cleansing material associated with the fuller’s work.
Biblical Usage
Fuller’s soap is used as an image of powerful cleansing and purification in the prophetic description of the Lord’s refining work.
Historical Background
The term means the alkali used by those who tread cloth. Nitre was found in Syria, and plant ash supplied vegetable alkali for the cleaning process.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Heb. borith mekabbeshim, i.e., “alkali of those treading cloth”). Mention is made (Prov. 25:20; Jer. 2:22) of nitre and also (Mal. 3:2) of soap (Heb. borith) used by the fuller in his operations. Nitre is found in Syria, and vegetable alkali was obtained from the ashes of certain plants. (See SOAP.)