The Greek word is the word for baptism, the same term rendered 'baptism' elsewhere in the New Testament.
In Hebrews 9:10, the King James Version translates the Greek noun baptismos as 'washings' because it refers to Old Testament ceremonial cleansings. The same word is translated 'baptism' in other passages. Les Feldick points to Hebrews 9 to show that these washings were the Old Testament background for baptism, so baptism was not a new idea to the Jewish people.
Hebrews 9:10 — This is the exact verse where the KJV translates the Greek word for baptism as 'washings.'
Hebrews 9:9 — Provides the preceding context: these washings were part of the figurative Old Testament sacrifices that could not perfect the worshiper.
Hebrews 9:10 (KJV) says the Old Testament system 'stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.' The English word 'washings' is the Greek word baptismos, the same word group translated 'baptism' throughout the New Testament. The preceding verse (Hebrews 9:9) says these were connected with gifts and sacrifices 'that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.' Scripture itself calls these outward, temporary ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
Les teaches that baptism was not a brand-new revelation when John the Baptist appeared. He takes his class to Hebrews 9 and explains that the Old Testament economy was full of washings — the priests washed constantly before approaching God, and the whole system pictured the fact that sin is filthy. These washings, like the water of baptism, did not cleanse from sin; they were a symbolic picture of the spiritual cleansing only God can perform. Les says this is why Jesus went into the Jordan: He symbolically fulfilled the washing of the priesthood and identified with Israel.
Hebrews 9:10 lists 'meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances' imposed on Israel until the time of reformation. This is the verse Les turns to when asked whether baptism had any hint in the Old Testament. He says the whole idea of washing was already back there in the Old Testament.
Les describes the constant washings required of the priests under the Law of Moses: 'Wash, wash, and wash some more.' These repeated washings were meant to show Israel that sin is a filthy thing and that spiritual cleansing is needed before approaching a holy God.
Les equates the Old Testament washings with baptism in concept. When Israel was told every Jew was to be a priest, they first had to be washed, and they experienced that symbolic washing with their baptism. The water did not do the cleansing; it was a picture of the cleansing aspect.
Jesus had no sin to repent of, but He came to fulfill all the requirements of the priesthood symbolically. As He went down in the Jordan, He fulfilled the washing of the priesthood and identified Himself with His covenant people Israel.
Baptism Was Not New for Israel
Les takes the reader to Hebrews 9 to show that the Old Testament washings were the same concept as baptism — baptism was already familiar to the Jews.
Old Testament Washings for the Priesthood
The priests had to wash constantly under the Law of Moses, showing that the idea of baptism as cleansing was woven into Israel's worship.
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The priest would come, and at the laver of cleansing, it was not only a wash basin, but it was a mirror that would reflect whatever need he had in cleansing, and then he could proceed on. Now, all of this, of course, is a Scriptural lesson for all of us, and now I'd like to have you Now we know that there are still quite a few among us, I've heard of quite a few, who still practice foot washing, a…
Jesus Fulfilled the Washing of the Priesthood
Jesus's baptism in the Jordan was a symbolic fulfillment of the priesthood washing — He did not need repentance, but He fulfilled the priestly requirement.
Water Was a Symbol, Not the Cleanser
The washings and baptisms did not accomplish cleansing by water; they were pictures of the spiritual cleansing God performs.
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But you are, what's the next word, washed, oh, not in water, but, oh, by an act of the sovereign holy God. We're washed. You're sanctified. You're justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Now, that reminds me another verse. Come back to John's Gospel again, if you will. John's Gospel. This one just came to mind, so you have to give me a second.
What "Baptized Unto Moses" Really Means — 1 Corinthians 10 Explained
Now in another place where baptism is used, and it never refers to water, is when the disciples thought they could go and do whatever Jesus was going to do. And what did He tell them? Look fellas, I have a baptism to be accomplished that you know nothing of. Now I'm paraphrasing it. Well, what kind of a baptism was He talking about? His death, His suffering.
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Now, of course, he's talking about the Gentile believers, members of the body of Christ. Verse 26, oh, all these things that he's been dealing with in the book of Ephesians is to bring us to this place, that he, the God of glory, the Lord Jesus himself, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water.
Hebrews 9:9: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Shows the washings were part of the figurative system of gifts and sacrifices that could not make the worshiper perfect.
Hebrews 9:10: Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
This is the verse in question, where the KJV translates the Greek word for baptism as 'washings.'
Yes. In Hebrews 9:10 the King James Version translates the Greek baptismos as 'washings,' while other New Testament passages translate the same word as 'baptism.'
No. Les teaches that the water did not do it — the repeated washings were symbolic pictures of the need for spiritual cleansing, not the cleansing itself.
No. Hebrews 9:10 says they were imposed 'until the time of reformation,' so they were temporary ordinances connected with the Old Testament system.
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