Bathing. This was a prescribed part of the Jewish ritual of purification, in cases of accident, or of leprous or ordinary uncleanness, Leviticus 15; Leviticus 16:28; Leviticus 22:6; Numbers 19:7; Numbers 19:19; 2 Samuel 11:2; 2 Samuel 11:4; 2 Kings 5:10, as also, after mourning, which always implied, defilement. Ruth 3:3; 2 Samuel 12:20.
The eastern climate made bathing essential, alike to health and pleasure, to which luxury added, the use of perfumes. Esther 2:12 Judith 10:3; Susanna 17. The "pools," such as that of Siloam and Hezekiah, 2 Kings 20:20; Nehemiah 3:15-16; Isaiah 22:11; John 9:7, often sheltered by porticos, John 5:2, are the first indications we have of public bathing accommodation.
More than 4,500 subjects and proper names are defined and analyzed with corresponding Scripture references. Bible students have used "Smith's Bible Dictionary" since its introduction in the 1880s, making it a trustworthy classic.Wikipedia
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