כָּבַס

The Hebrew verb כָּבַס (kābas) primarily denotes washing, often with the implication of a vigorous process, such as trampling or treading. The literal sense is frequently associated with the fulling process, where clothing is cleaned and thickened by beating or treading it in water. This method of cleaning was common in ancient times and is reflected in the KJV rendering "fuller.

Beyond its literal meaning concerning the cleaning of garments, כָּבַס extends to a figurative sense of purification, particularly in a spiritual or moral context. This metaphorical usage is significant, appearing in prayers for divine cleansing from sin. The act of washing here symbolizes a thorough removal of defilement, seeking a radical change of state from impurity to purity before God.

The ritualistic cleansing prescribed in the Mosaic Law often features כָּבַס. Individuals who became ritually unclean through various means—contact with a dead body, certain bodily discharges, or eating defiled food—were required to wash their clothes as part of the purification process. This highlights the importance of external cleanliness as a symbol of internal readiness for participation in the community and worship. The repeated emphasis on washing clothes alongside bathing indicates a comprehensive approach to ritual purity, encompassing both personal and material aspects that demonstrate a return to a state of ritual readiness.