Short Answer
Complete Explanation
In the King James Version of the Bible, “purgeth” is the third‑person singular present form of the verb “to purge.” The term means to cleanse, remove impurity, or eliminate sin. It is an archaic English construction that appears only in older translations and is typically used in a figurative, spiritual sense rather than a literal physical cleansing.
- Grammar:
Third‑person singular present indicative of “purge,” equivalent to modern “purges.” - Literal sense:
To cleanse by removing unwanted material, such as water purging a vessel. - Figurative sense in Scripture:
Often denotes God’s action of removing sin or impurity from a person. - Occurrences in the KJV:
Found in a limited number of verses, e.g., 2 Chronicles 29:9 and Jeremiah 5:27, where it describes divine cleansing. - Modern equivalents:
Contemporary translations use “cleanses,” “purifies,” or “removes” in place of “purgeth.”
Common Misconceptions
“Purgeth” is a name of a person or place.
It is an archaic verb meaning “cleanses” or “purifies.”
The word appears in modern Bible translations.
“Purgeth” is exclusive to the 1611 King James Version; modern versions render it with contemporary verbs.
FAQ
Is ‘purgeth’ used in any modern Bible translations?
No. Modern translations replace ‘purgeth’ with contemporary verbs such as ‘cleanses’ or ‘purifies’; the form appears only in the 1611 KJV.
Which verses in the KJV contain the word ‘purgeth’?
The term occurs in a few passages, notably 2 Chronicles 29:9 and Jeremiah 5:27, where it describes divine cleansing.
Does ‘purgeth’ have a literal meaning in the biblical context?
While the literal sense is to physically remove impurities, in biblical usage it is predominantly metaphorical, referring to the removal of sin or moral impurity.
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