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Numbers 19:20

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But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he will be cut off from the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 20

This chapter is only concerning the preparing and using of the ashes which were to impregnate the water of purification. The people had complained of the strictness of the law, which forbade their near approach to the tabernacle, Num 17:13. In answer to this complaint, they are here directed to purify themselves, so as that they might come as far as they had occasion without fear. Here is, I. The method of preparing these ashes, by the burning of a red heifer, with a great deal of ceremony (Num 19:1-10). II. The way of using them. 1. They were designed to purify persons from the pollution contracted by a dead body (Num 19:11-16). 2. They were to be put into running water (a small quantity of them), with which the person to be cleansed must be purified (Num 19:17-22). And that this ceremonial purification was a type and figure of the cleansing of the consciences of believers from the pollutions of sin appears by the apostle's discourse, Heb 9:13, Heb 9:14, where he compares the efficacy of the blood of Christ with the sanctifying virtue that was in "the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean."

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 20

אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ, H2930) — to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated) חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdâsh, H4720) — a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen נִדָּה (niddâh, H5079) — properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or… זָרַק (zâraq, H2236) — to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles) טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ, H2931) — foul in a religious sense

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Genesis 17:14rank 3

But if any male is not circumcised, he will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”

Mark 16:16rank 3

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Numbers 19:13rank 3

Anyone who touches a human corpse and fails to purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person must be cut off from Israel. He remains unclean, because the water of purification has not been sprinkled on him, and his uncleanness is still on him.

II Peter 3:14rank 2

Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.

Numbers 15:30rank 2

But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people.

Revelation of John 22:11rank 2

Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”

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