ἐνίψατο

níptō

washed

To wash, specifically to wash a part of the body (such as the hands or feet) rather than the whole person. The primary lexical sense focuses on washing or rinsing with water, usually for purposes of cleanliness, ritual, or hospitality, with emphasis on a limited or specific area. In extended or metaphorical usage, it may imply cleansing in a figurative sense, but always with respect to part rather than the entire person.

G3538

John 9:7 · Word #17

Lexicon G3538

Lemmaνίπτω
Transliterationníptō
Strong'sG3538
DefinitionTo wash, specifically to wash a part of the body (such as the hands or feet) rather than the whole person. The primary lexical sense focuses on washing or rinsing with water, usually for purposes of cleanliness, ritual, or hospitality, with emphasis on a limited or specific area. In extended or metaphorical usage, it may imply cleansing in a figurative sense, but always with respect to part rather than the entire person.

Morphology V AOR MID IND 3P SG All morphology codes

Part of Speech V — Verb — An action or state of being
Tense AOR — Aorist — Simple occurrence, often past
Voice MID — Middle — The subject acts on itself or in its own interest
Mood IND — Indicative — States a fact or reality
Person 3P — 3rd person — The one spoken about ("he/she/it/they")
Number SG — Singular — One

Common Translation

Phrasewashed
Literalwashed

Lexical Info

Lemmaνίπτω
Strong'sG3538

SIBI-P1 Translation G3538-03

washed a part of himself

Morphological NotesVerb, aorist, middle, indicative, 3rd person singular — simple past action performed with reflexive or self-interest force.
Rendering RationaleThe aorist indicative conveys a simple completed action in past time, while the middle voice expresses self-involvement or action done for oneself. The rendering preserves the specific root sense of washing part of the body rather than bathing the whole person.

View full lexicon entry for G3538 →

SILEX v2

SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)

washed a part of himself

Same as P1Yes
RationaleP1 'washed a part of himself' accurately conveys the middle voice and specific sense of washing part of the body as distinct from full immersion; fits the SILEX definition and context.