Mikveh
/ˈmɪk.və/noun
A ritual bath in Judaism for the purpose of ritual purity.
Did you know?The Mikveh is often linked to the concept of spiritual rebirth, symbolizing a transition from one state of being to another, much like the waters of a womb.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
מִקְוֶה
“Gathering of water, essential for ritual purification.”
2nd Century BCE
Hebrew
מִקְוֵה
“Referring specifically to a constructed pool for immersion.”
Medieval Hebrew
Hebrew
מַקְוַה
“Used in religious texts to denote the ritual bath for women.”
Modern Hebrew
Hebrew
מִקְוֶה
“Still referring to the ritual bath, now recognized in contemporary Jewish practice.”
20th Century
English
Mikveh
“Adopted into English usage, maintaining its original religious significance.”