ABLUTION, ABLUTIONS. This is a ceremonial washing of the body (or some part of it), or of houses, clothes, and household objects for the purpose of ritual cleansing. Such rites were practiced in all lands in ancient times, but were a special feature of Jewish life and ceremony. The Jews recognized three kinds of ceremonial ablution of the body. The first was a washing of the hands, which is not specifically prescribed in the OT, but the gospels show that it was stressed in Christ’s time (Matt 15:1, 2; Mark 7:3). The second was a washing of the hands and feet, prescribed by law only for those about to perform priestly duties (Exod 30:19; 40:31). A laver was used for this purpose in the Tabernacle and Temple. The third was the immersion of the whole body in water; its purpose was to make possible the admission or readmission of those regarded as ceremonially unclean to the sacred community (Lev 8:6; 14:8; 15:5-10, 19-27; 16:24; Num 19:19). Houses, clothes, and household objects were also subjected to ritual cleansing (Exod 19:14; Lev 14:52; 15:6-8; Mark 7:4). See Bath, Bathe, Bathing.