But in the details of daily life there were special causes of cermonial
uncleanness which were severally provided for by ceremonial laws enacted
for each separate case. For example, the case of the leper (Leviticus 13,
14), and of the house defiled by leprosy (14:49-53; see also Matthew
8:2-4). Uncleanness from touching a dead body (Numbers 19:11; Hos. 9:4;
Hag. 2:13; Matthew 23:27; Luke 11:44). The case of the high priest and of
the Nazarite (Leviticus 21:1-4, 10, 11; Numbers 6:6, 7; Ezekiel 44:25).
Purification was effected by bathing and washing the clothes (Leviticus
14:8, 9); by washing the hands (Deuteronomy 21:6; Matthew 27:24);
washing the hands and feet (Exodus 30:18-21; Hebrews 6:2, “baptisms”,
R.V. marg., “washings;” 9:10); sprinkling with blood and water (Exodus
24:5-8; Hebrews 9:19), etc. Allusions to this rite are found in Psalm 26:6;
51:7; Ezekiel 36:25; Hebrews 10:22.
- PUR, PURIM a lot, lots, a festival instituted by the Jews (Esther
9:24-32) in ironical commemoration of Haman’s consultation of the Pur (a
Persian word), for the purpose of ascertaining the auspicious day for
executing his cruel plot against their nation. It became a national institution
by the common consent of the Jews, and is observed by them to the
present day, on the 14th and 15th of the month Adar, a month before the
Passover. - PURSE (1.) Gr. balantion, a bag (Luke 10:4; 22:35, 36).
(2.) Gr. zone, properly a girdle (Matthew 10:9; Mark 6:8), a money-belt.
As to our Lord’s sending forth his disciples without money in their
purses, the remark has been made that in this “there was no departure
from the simple manners of the country. At this day the farmer sets out on
excursions quite as extensive without a para in his purse; and a modern
Moslem prophet of Tarshisha thus sends forth his apostles over this
identical region. No traveller in the East would hestitate to throw himself
on the hospitality of any village.” Thomson’s Land and the Book. (See
SCRIP.)
- PUTEOLI a city on the coast of Campania, on the north shore of a bay
running north from the Bay of Naples, at which Paul landed on his way to
Rome, from which it was distant 170 miles. Here he tarried for seven days
(Acts 28:13, 14). This was the great emporium for the Alexandrian corn
ships. Here Paul and his companions began their journey, by the “Appian