We therefore think that the viirr-fip was a jug or ewer, with a dish, saucer or basin, under it to catch the drippings, but that the stress of the word is not on this under-basin. We also think that it was kept chiefly in the house, and used for the many 'hand-washings' which the Jews practised (Mt 15-, Mk V etc.), but also for any ceremonial ab- lution. Hence it was ready in the upper room, as part of the preparation made by the ' goodman of the house' (Mk 14'=, Lk 22'-), and therefore is dis- tinguished by the article.
It may be asked whether the feet-washing in Jn 13 was ceremonial. As we understand the matter, the GaUlxan dis- ciples, either because they had never adopted the Pharisaic strictness about ' washings,' or (less probably) because our Lord had condemned them, were not in the habit of observing them (Mt 162, Mk 71-1). Our Lord defended His followers (Mk 75-23, Mt 163-20). In the upper room they found all things ready for the observance. Whether they did observe it before a meal which was not an ordinary one, we do not know. But there was another observance, not of ceremony but of courtesy and comfort (Lk 7*^), in which eacn might have acted as host or as servant to the other if the spirit of love had ruled in their hearts. Christ would teach them this lesson (Jn 13'2- 16). In- cidentally He taught them other lessons, which they could not fully understand at the time, about the cleansing of the soul, daily defilement, and the duty of preparation before receiving the Eucharist. In this Christian sense the feet-washing was ceremonial, or rather typical, but it was not a recognition of any validity in the ' traditions of the elders.' The main lessons for the time were those of humility, self-abasement, and love. Our Lord used the ^urnp standing by to teach these.
Kitto (Pictorial Bible^, ii. 331) says: 'In the East, the basin, which, as well as the ewer, is usually of tinned copper, has commonly a sort of cover, rising in the middle, and sunk into the basin at the margin, which, being pierced with holes, allows the water to pass through, thus concealing it after being defiled by use. The ewer has a long spout, and a long narrow neck, with a cover, and is altogether not unlike our coffee-pots in general appearance : it is the same which the Orientals use in all their ablutions.'
We notice that the assistance of a servant or of a friend is necessary. This is sometimes mentioned, e.q. 1 Ti 51", 1 S 25", and is probably implied in Gn 18< 19= 24=2 etc. But in the cases where the English versions suggest nothing of the kind, the Heb. is the I^al of fOT as in IS 25-" (of. Dr. Kennedy's article cited above).
Lane's account (Modern Egyptians, oh. 5) is similar : ' A servant brings him a basin and ewer (called tisht and ibreek) of tinned copper or brass. The former of these has a cover pierced with holes, with a raised receptacle for the soap in the middle ; and the water being poured upon the hands, passes through this cover into the space below, so that when the basin is brought to a second person the water with which the former one has washed is not seen.'
Our conclusion therefore is that the vi-n-T-qp was most probably not a ' large basin,' but the set of ewer and basin combined, kept in every Jewish house for the purpose of cleansing either the hands or the feet by means of affusion.
* Oriental Secretary to Lord Raglan during the Crimean War, translator of the Turkish Praver-Book, and reviser of the Arabic Praycr-Book, author of Turkish, Arabic, and Modern Ureek Grammars.
ing of ..Ti-v, The Bible Society's Arabic NT has maghml, a noun of time and place = ' washing ' and ' a place for washing," not a correct rendering. The SPCK version has mathar (cf. Heb. n.'nE) = 'puriflcation, "place or time of purification,' also an incorrect rendering. The word tesht is the e.\act rendering of the Gr. word vnrr.p. It comes from a root='to pour or rain slightly.'
The tesht and ibreeq are made of either metal or earthenware, with a strainer of the same material placed inside the tesht (or basin), never outside or under, and in the middle of the strainer there is a small raised place for the soap. The itneen (Syrian and Egyptian Arabic) is a water-jug, with a spout for the water to come through like a coffee-pot, from which the water is poured on the hands or feet, which are held over the basin. They are to be found in every Eastern house, especiallv in Mohammedan houses ; they are used continually in the morn- ings. There are no washstands in the houses. The servant holds the tesht on the palm of his left hand and the ibreeh in his right hand, and a clean towel placed on his left shoulder for each person (Jn 13^), who washes his face and hands, taking the towel from off the servant's shoulder. The towel is thrown down, and the servant puts a fresh one for the next person to
use- George Farmer.
BATH, BATHING.— The immersing or washing of the whole person may be a matter of cleanli- ness, or of luxury, or of religious observance, or of health.