νίπτω (G3538) — Greek Lexicon

νίπτω

níptō

G3538 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To wash, specifically to wash a part of the body (such as the hands or feet) rather than the whole person. The primary lexical sense focuses on washing or rinsing with water, usually for purposes of cleanliness, ritual, or hospitality, with emphasis on a limited or specific area. In extended or metaphorical usage, it may imply cleansing in a figurative sense, but always with respect to part rather than the entire person.

Semantic Range

to wash (hands, feet, face), to cleanse part of the body, to rinse, to perform a ritual wash, to wash for hospitality or custom

Root / Etymology

From the root νιπ- ('to wash'), possibly of pre-Greek origin. The word is related to but distinct from λούω ('to bathe,' especially the whole body).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, νίπτω is attested from Homer onward, typically signifying the washing of the face, hands, or feet—actions associated with ritual purification, hospitality, and daily cleanliness. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the verb retains this primary sense, contrasted with λούω, which refers to bathing the entire body. For example, in John 13:5-14, νίπτω is used for Jesus washing the disciples' feet, highlighting the partial, humble action versus full-body cleansing. English Bible translations often render both νίπτω and λούω as 'wash,' but the distinction is significant in Greek sources. In ritual contexts (e.g., Exodus 30:19 LXX), νίπτω may refer to the specific washing required for priests before entering holy spaces. The practice was widespread in both Jewish and Greco-Roman settings for both practical and symbolic reasons.

Translation Consistency

primary "wash" 17 occurrences

The dominant and natural English rendering across contexts is “wash” (6 of 17 occurrences; plus “washed/washing”). It captures the primary lexical sense—washing or rinsing a part of the body (hands, feet, face) for cleanliness, ritual, or hospitality—while remaining broad enough to cover the limited/partial cleansing and occasional metaphorical uses. “Wash” is simple, idiomatic, and consistent for all forms of G3538.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

λούω

Root Family

νιπ- (níptō) — to wash, to cleanse (a part of the body)

Root νιπ- to wash, to cleanse (a part of the body)

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3538-05`	νίψαι	nipsai	`V AOR MID IMP 2P SG`	wash	wash yourself	wash yourself	3
`G3538-04`	ἔνιψεν	enipsen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he had washed	washed a body part	he washed a body part	2
`G3538-11`	νίπτειν	niptein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to wash	to wash (a body part)	to wash (a body part)	2
`G3538-01`	ἔνιψα	enipsa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	washed	I washed a body part	washed	1
`G3538-02`	ἐνιψάμην	enipsamen	`V AOR MID IND 1P SG`	I-washed	I washed a part of myself	I washed	1
`G3538-03`	ἐνίψατο	enipsato	`V AOR MID IND 3P SG`	washed	washed a part of himself	washed a part of himself	1
`G3538-06`	νιψάμενος	nipsamenos	`V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG`	having washed	having washed himself	having washed myself	1
`G3538-07`	νίψασθαι	nipsasthai	`V AOR MID INF`	to wash	to wash oneself	to wash oneself	1
`G3538-08`	νίψῃς	nipses	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG`	you may wash	you might wash a part	you may wash	1
`G3538-09`	νίψω	nipso	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I wash	I may wash	I may wash	1
`G3538-10`	νίψωνται	nipsontai	`V AOR MID SUBJ 3P PL`	they wash	they might wash themselves	they might wash themselves	1
`G3538-12`	νίπτεις	nipteis	`V PRS ACT IND 2P SG`	wash	you are washing (a part)	washing	1
`G3538-13`	νίπτονται	niptontai	`V PRS MID IND 3P PL`	they wash	they are washing themselves	they are washing themselves	1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3538-05`	Matthew 6:17	νίψαι	nipsai	`V AOR MID IMP 2P SG`	wash	wash yourself	wash yourself
`G3538-13`	Matthew 15:2	νίπτονται	niptontai	`V PRS MID IND 3P PL`	they wash	they are washing themselves	they are washing themselves
`G3538-10`	Mark 7:3	νίψωνται	nipsontai	`V AOR MID SUBJ 3P PL`	they wash	they might wash themselves	they might wash themselves
`G3538-05`	John 9:7	νίψαι	nipsai	`V AOR MID IMP 2P SG`	wash	wash yourself	wash yourself
`G3538-03`	John 9:7	ἐνίψατο	enipsato	`V AOR MID IND 3P SG`	washed	washed a part of himself	washed a part of himself
`G3538-05`	John 9:11	νίψαι	nipsai	`V AOR MID IMP 2P SG`	wash	wash yourself	wash yourself
`G3538-06`	John 9:11	νιψάμενος	nipsamenos	`V AOR MID PTCP NOM M SG`	having washed	having washed himself	having washed myself
`G3538-02`	John 9:15	ἐνιψάμην	enipsamen	`V AOR MID IND 1P SG`	I-washed	I washed a part of myself	I washed
`G3538-11`	John 13:5	νίπτειν	niptein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to wash	to wash (a body part)	to wash (a body part)
`G3538-12`	John 13:6	νίπτεις	nipteis	`V PRS ACT IND 2P SG`	wash	you are washing (a part)	washing
`G3538-08`	John 13:8	νίψῃς	nipses	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG`	you may wash	you might wash a part	you may wash
`G3538-09`	John 13:8	νίψω	nipso	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I wash	I may wash	I may wash
`G3538-07`	John 13:10	νίψασθαι	nipsasthai	`V AOR MID INF`	to wash	to wash oneself	to wash oneself
`G3538-04`	John 13:12	ἔνιψεν	enipsen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he had washed	washed a body part	washed the body part
`G3538-01`	John 13:14	ἔνιψα	enipsa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	washed	I washed a body part	washed
`G3538-11`	John 13:14	νίπτειν	niptein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to wash	to wash (a body part)	to wash (a body part)
`G3538-04`	1 Timothy 5:10	ἔνιψεν	enipsen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	she has washed	washed a body part	he washed a body part

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