Bathing. This was a prescribed part of the Jewish ritual of purification, in cases of accident, or of leprous or ordinary uncleanness, Leviticus 15; Leviticus 16:28; Leviticus 22:6; Numbers 19:7; Numbers 19:19; 2 Samuel 11:2; 2 Samuel 11:4; 2 Kings 5:10, as also, after mourning, which always implied, defilement. Ruth 3:3; 2 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; Susanna 17. The "pools," such as that of Siloam and Hezekiah, 2 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.