Bible Dictionary
CLEANSE
To cleanse means to make clean, physically, ceremonially, or spiritually. Scripture uses the term for removing bodily or ritual impurity and, figuratively, for God’s forgiveness, sanctifying work, and removal of sin’s guilt and power.
Biblical Usage
Scripture speaks of cleansing leprosy, persons, houses, altars, sanctuaries, and the people through water, offerings, fire, ashes, or blood. Spiritually, cleansing includes repentance, forgiveness, justification, sanctification, and God’s removal of sin’s guilt and power.