Soap

A substance made from mixing ashes of soda plants with oils or fats, used for cleaning.

About Soap

Cleansing agent extracted from a number of alkali-bearing plants. The alkali was gathered from the ashes of the burned plants and formed into a detergent. Saltwort, soapwort, and glasswort were alkali-bearing plants indigenous to western Asia and known to the ancient Hebrews. Soap was used primarily for cleansing purposes. In Jeremiah 2:22 soap is used to clean the body, and in Malachi 3:2, to wash clothes.

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The object itself Article

Form, use in ancient daily life, and how translators render the term.

Key References

Jeremiah 2:22

Although you wash with lye and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before Me,” declares the Lord GOD.

Malachi 3:2

But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap.

All Scripture References (2)

Jeremiah (1)
Jeremiah 2:22

Although you wash with lye and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before Me,” declares the Lord GOD.

Malachi (1)
Malachi 3:2

But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap.