Numbers 19:16

Verse

Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.

American Standard Version (1901)

And whosoever in the open field toucheth one that is slain with a sword, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

Bible in Basic English

And anyone touching one who has been put to death with the sword in the open country, or the body of one who has come to his end by a natural death, or a man's bone, or the resting-place of a dead body, will be unclean for seven days.

Free Bible Version

If you're out in the open and you touch someone who has been killed by the sword or who has died naturally, or if you touch a human bone or a grave, then you'll be unclean for seven days.

King James (Authorized) Version

And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

One Unity Resource Bible

“Whoever in the open field touches one who is slain with a sword, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

Translation for Translators

If someone who is out in a field touches the corpse of someone who was murdered, or who died from natural causes, or if someone touches a bone from some human or touches a grave, that person will be unacceptable to me for seven days.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Similarly, anyone outside a tent who touches someone who has been killed with a sword, any other dead body, a human bone, or a grave—that person will be unclean for seven days.

Noah Webster Bible

And whoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

World English Bible

“Whoever in the open field touches one who is slain with a sword, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

Young's Literal Translation

'And every one who cometh, on the face of the field, against the pierced of a sword, or against the dead, or against a bone of man, or against a grave, is unclean seven days;

Context

Purification of the Unclean

¹⁵and any open container without a lid fastened on it is unclean.¹⁶Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.

Summary

This verse outlines the purification process for someone who has come into contact with a dead body, emphasizing the importance of cleansing to restore ritual purity. The ritual involved in this purification signifies the separation of the unclean from the clean, highlighting the need for holiness and sanctification in approaching God. It serves as a reminder of the Israelites' need to maintain spiritual cleanliness and reverence for the sacred, reflecting the principle of being set apart for God's purposes. The detailed instructions in this verse underscore the meticulous care required in matters of ceremonial cleanliness within the Israelite community.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields,.... That is killed by another, that dies a violent death, either by the sword or other means; one that touched such an one was unclean, or that touched the sword with which he was slain, as the Targum of Jonathan adds: "or a dead body": that dies a natural death, or suddenly, or in any way: or a bone off a man; dug out of a grave, and lying by itself: or a grave; the Targum adds, either the covering or side of a grave: shall be unclean seven days; all which has respect to the defiling nature of sin, which is the cause of death and the grave.

Numbers 19:16

Purification of the Unclean

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.

American Standard Version (1901)

And whosoever in the open field toucheth one that is slain with a sword, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

Bible in Basic English

Free Bible Version

If you're out in the open and you touch someone who has been killed by the sword or who has died naturally, or if you touch a human bone or a grave, then you'll be unclean for seven days.

King James (Authorized) Version

And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

One Unity Resource Bible

“Whoever in the open field touches one who is slain with a sword, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

Similarly, anyone outside a tent who touches someone who has been killed with a sword, any other dead body, a human bone, or a grave—that person will be unclean for seven days.

Noah Webster Bible

And whoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

World English Bible

“Whoever in the open field touches one who is slain with a sword, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

Young's Literal Translation

'And every one who cometh, on the face of the field, against the pierced of a sword, or against the dead, or against a bone of man, or against a grave, is unclean seven days;