XX This was a prescribed part of the Jewish ritual of purification in cases of accident, or of leprous or ordinary uncleanness, ( Leviticus 15 ; 16:28 ; 22:6 ; Numbers 19:7 ; 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; Susan 17. The "pools," such as that of Siloam and Hezekiah, ( 2 Kings 20:20 ; Nehemiah 3:15 Nehemiah 3:16 ; Isaiah 22:11 ; John 9:7 ) often sheltered by porticos, ( John 5:2 ) are the first indications we have of public bathing accommodation.