Mikvah
/ˈmɪk.vɑː/noun
A Jewish ritual bath used for purification and other religious purposes.
Did you know?The Hebrew word is related to the biblical idea of a gathered body of water, while Jewish tradition also connects ritual immersion with rebirth, conversion, and restoration of purity.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
מִקְוֶה (miqweh)
“A gathering or collection, especially a collection of water”
Second Temple Period
Hebrew
miqweh
“A ritual pool used for immersion and purification”
Rabbinic Hebrew
Mishnaic Hebrew
מִקְוֶה (miqveh)
“A prescribed immersion pool governed by Jewish purity laws”
Medieval Period
Yiddish
mikve
“A Jewish ritual bath”
19th Century
English
mikveh / mikvah
“A Jewish ritual bath or immersion pool”
Modern English
English
mikvah
“A ritual bath used in Judaism for purification, conversion, and other religious observances”