BATH, BATHING [smith]
This was a prescribed part of the Jewish ritual of purification in cases of accident, or of leprous or ordinary uncleanness, (
Leviticus 15;
16:28;
22:6;
Numbers 19:7;
19;
2Â Samuel 11:2,4;
2Â Kings 5:10) as also after mourning, which always implied defilement. (
Ruth 3:3;
2Â Samuel 12:20) The eastern climate made bathing essential alike to health and pleasure, to which luxury added the use of perfumes. (
Esther 2:12) Judith 10:3; Susan 17. The "pools," such as that of Siloam and Hezekiah, (
2Â Kings 20:20;
Nehemiah 3:15,16;
Isaiah 22:11;
John 9:7) often sheltered by porticos, (
John 5:2) are the first indications we have of public bathing accommodation.
