Numbers 19:7
Numbers 19:7 in Multiple Translations
Then the priest must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that he may enter the camp, but he will be ceremonially unclean until evening.
Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.
Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.
And the priest, after washing his clothing and bathing his body in water, may come back to the tent-circle, and will be unclean till evening.
Then the priest shall wash his clothes and his body in water, and after that he may enter the camp, but he will remain unclean until the evening.
Then shall the Priest wash his clothes, and he shall wash his flesh in water, and then come into the hoste, and the Priest shalbe vncleane vnto the euen.
and the priest hath washed his garments, and hath bathed his flesh with water, and afterwards doth come in unto the camp, and the priest is unclean till the evening;
Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the evening.
Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the evening.
And then after washing his garments, and body, he shall enter into the camp, and shall be unclean until the evening.
“Then the priest must wash his clothes and bathe. After doing that, he may return to the camp. But he will be unfit for doing any sacred work until that evening.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 19:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 19:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/כִבֶּ֨ס
בְּגָדָ֜י/ו
הַ/כֹּהֵ֗ן
וְ/רָחַ֤ץ
בְּשָׂר/וֹ֙
בַּ/מַּ֔יִם
וְ/אַחַ֖ר
יָב֣וֹא
אֶל
הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֑ה
וְ/טָמֵ֥א
הַ/כֹּהֵ֖ן
עַד
הָ/עָֽרֶב
וְ/כִבֶּ֨ס
kâbaç
H3526
to wash
Conj | V-Piel-3ms
בְּגָדָ֜י/ו
beged
H899
treachery
N-mp | Suff
הַ/כֹּהֵ֗ן
kôhên
H3548
priest
Art | N-ms
וְ/רָחַ֤ץ
râchats
H7364
to wash
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
בְּשָׂר/וֹ֙
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
N-ms | Suff
בַּ/מַּ֔יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Prep | N-mp
וְ/אַחַ֖ר
ʼachar
H310
after
Conj | Adv
יָב֣וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֑ה
machăneh
H4264
camp
Art | N-cs
וְ/טָמֵ֥א
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
to defile
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
הַ/כֹּהֵ֖ן
kôhên
H3548
priest
Art | N-ms
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
הָ/עָֽרֶב
ʻereb
H6153
evening
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 19:7
וְ/כִבֶּ֨ס
kâbaç
H3526
"to wash"
Conj | V-Piel-3ms
To wash means to clean something, often by trampling or stamping on it with the feet, as seen in the process of washing clothes.
Definition: 1) to wash (by treading), be washed, perform the work of a fuller 1a) (Qal) washer, fuller, treader (participle) 1b) (Piel) to wash (garments, person) 1c) (Pual) to be washed 1d) (Hothpael) to be washed out
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: fuller, wash(-ing). See also: Genesis 49:11; Leviticus 15:21; Psalms 51:4.
בְּגָדָ֜י/ו
beged
H899
"treachery"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to clothing or a covering, like a garment or robe. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus, describing what people wore. The word is often translated as 'apparel' or 'raiment'.
Definition: treachery, deceit
Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe. See also: Genesis 24:53; Judges 17:10; Psalms 22:19.
הַ/כֹּהֵ֗ן
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
וְ/רָחַ֤ץ
râchats
H7364
"to wash"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for washing or bathing, used in Exodus 30:19 where priests had to wash their hands and feet before entering the temple. It means to clean or purify oneself, as seen in 2 Kings 5:10 where Elisha tells Naaman to wash in the Jordan River.
Definition: : wash 1) to wash, wash off, wash away, bathe 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wash, wash off, wash away 1a2) to wash, bathe (oneself) 1b) (Pual) to be washed 1c) (Hithpael) to wash oneself 2a) (Hithpael Passive) to be regarded clean, trustworthy
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: bathe (self), wash (self). See also: Genesis 18:4; Leviticus 16:4; Psalms 26:6.
בְּשָׂר/וֹ֙
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
בַּ/מַּ֔יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Prep | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
וְ/אַחַ֖ר
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Conj | Adv
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
יָב֣וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֑ה
machăneh
H4264
"camp"
Art | N-cs
This word refers to a camp or army, like the Israelites' encampments in the wilderness. It can also mean a group of people or animals. The KJV translates it as 'army, band, or camp'.
Definition: 1) encampment, camp 1a) camp, place of encampment 1b) camp of armed host, army camp 1c) those who encamp, company, body of people
Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. See also: Genesis 32:3; Joshua 6:18; Psalms 27:3.
וְ/טָמֵ֥א
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
"to defile"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This Hebrew word means to be foul or contaminated, often in a moral or ceremonial sense. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is unclean or polluted. In the book of Leviticus, it talks about being unclean and how to become clean again.
Definition: 1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure 1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean 1a1) sexually 1a2) religiously 1a3) ceremonially 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled 1b1a) sexually 1b1b) by idolatry 1b1c) ceremonially 1b2) to be regarded as unclean 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to defile 1c1a) sexually 1c1b) religiously 1c1c) ceremonially 1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially) 1c3) to profane (God's name) 1d) (Pual) to be defiled 1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean 1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:5; Leviticus 22:5; Psalms 79:1.
הַ/כֹּהֵ֖ן
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
הָ/עָֽרֶב
ʻereb
H6153
"evening"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means evening or sunset, like when God created daylight and darkness in Genesis. It refers to the time of day, often marking the end of a workday. This word is used in many verses, including Exodus and Psalms.
Definition: 1) evening, night, sunset 1a) evening, sunset 1b) night
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] day, even(-ing, tide), night. See also: Genesis 1:5; Numbers 19:19; Psalms 30:6.
Study Notes — Numbers 19:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 19:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 19:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 19:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 19:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 19:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 19:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 19:7
- Sermons on Numbers 19:7
Context — The Red Heifer
5Then the heifer must be burned in his sight. Its hide, its flesh, and its blood are to be burned, along with its dung.
6The priest is to take cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer.
7Then the priest must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that he may enter the camp, but he will be ceremonially unclean until evening.
8The one who burned the heifer must also wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he too will be ceremonially unclean until evening. 9Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to gather up the ashes of the heifer and store them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They must be kept by the congregation of Israel for preparing the water of purification; this is for purification from sin.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 11:25 | and whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening. |
| 2 | Leviticus 11:40 | Whoever eats from the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening, and anyone who picks up the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening. |
| 3 | Numbers 19:8 | The one who burned the heifer must also wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he too will be ceremonially unclean until evening. |
| 4 | Leviticus 15:5 | Anyone who touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. |
| 5 | Leviticus 14:8–9 | The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be ceremonially clean. Afterward, he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent for seven days. On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair—his head, his beard, his eyebrows, and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean. |
| 6 | Numbers 19:19 | The man who is ceremonially clean is to sprinkle the unclean person on the third day and on the seventh day. After he purifies the unclean person on the seventh day, the one being cleansed must wash his clothes and bathe in water, and that evening he will be clean. |
| 7 | Leviticus 22:6 | the man who touches any of these will remain unclean until evening. He must not eat from the sacred offerings unless he has bathed himself with water. |
| 8 | Leviticus 16:26–28 | The man who released the goat as the scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may reenter the camp. The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp; and their hides, flesh, and dung must be burned up. The one who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and afterward he may reenter the camp. |
Numbers 19:7 Summary
In Numbers 19:7, the priest has to wash his clothes and bathe his body after performing a ritual, because he has become ceremonially unclean. This means that he is not allowed to participate in certain activities until he is clean again. This is similar to how we might feel dirty or guilty after doing something wrong, and need to seek forgiveness and cleansing from God (as seen in 1 John 1:9). The priest's washing and waiting until evening to be fully restored teaches us about the importance of seeking God's cleansing and waiting on His timing, as described in Psalm 51:2 and Lamentations 3:25-26.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the priest need to wash his clothes and bathe his body in water after throwing the cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet wool onto the burning heifer?
The priest's actions made him ceremonially unclean, as stated in Numbers 19:7, and washing his clothes and bathing his body was a necessary step for him to become clean again, as seen in similar rituals in Leviticus 15:13 and Leviticus 16:28-30.
What does it mean to be ceremonially unclean until evening?
Being ceremonially unclean meant that the priest was temporarily unable to participate in certain religious activities, as stated in Numbers 19:7, and he had to wait until evening to be fully restored, similar to the instructions given in Leviticus 22:6-7.
Why was the priest allowed to enter the camp after washing, but still considered unclean?
The priest's washing and bathing allowed him to enter the camp, but he was still considered unclean because he had come into contact with the burning heifer, as described in Numbers 19:5-6, and had to wait until evening to be fully cleansed, as seen in similar situations in Deuteronomy 23:10-11.
How does this ritual relate to the broader theme of purification in the Bible?
This ritual, as described in Numbers 19:7, is part of a larger theme of purification and cleansing in the Bible, as seen in verses like Psalm 51:7 and Ezekiel 36:25, where God provides ways for people to become clean and righteous before Him.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, like the priest, may be 'ceremonially unclean' due to my actions or associations, and how can I seek cleansing and restoration?
- How does the idea of ceremonial uncleanness relate to my own sense of guilt or shame, and how can I find freedom and forgiveness in Christ, as described in Romans 8:1-2?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of ritual and tradition in my faith, and how can I balance these with a personal, heartfelt relationship with God, as seen in John 4:24?
- How can I apply the principle of waiting until 'evening' to be fully restored, in terms of waiting on God's timing and plan for my life, as described in Psalm 27:14 and Isaiah 40:31?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 19:7
Then the priest shall wash his clothes,.... The Targum of Jonathan has it, "he that slew the cow,'' and Aben Ezra, the priest that burnt it; but it seems to mean Eleazar, the priest that sprinkled
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 19:7
Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even. The priest shall be unclean until the even.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 19:7
Partly to teach us the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood, in which the priest himself was defiled by some parts of his work, and the absolute necessity of a better and holier priesthood; and partly to show that Christ himself, though he had no sin of his own, yet was reputed by men, and judged by God, as an unclean and sinful person, by reason of our sins which were laid upon him, .
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 19:7
Numbers 19:7 Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.Ver. 7. The priest shall wash his clothes.] To show the contagion and pollution of sin, and imperfection of the legal priesthood. Unclean until the evening.] So Numbers 19:8; Numbers 19:10. We had need take time till the evening, to humble our souls, and bewail our unworthiness of the blood of Christ.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 19:7
(7) Then the priest . . . —The Targum of Jonathan refers these words to the priest who killed the heifer, and Ibn Ezra to the priest who burnt it; but the reference is more probably, as in the preceding verse, to Eleazar.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 19:7
7. Wash his clothes, and… flesh — “This washing of the garments and the body — what is it but the cleansing of our faculties, external and internal.” — Augustine.
Sermons on Numbers 19:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Proof of This Custom Only From the Talmuds. by John Gill | John Gill discusses the origins and evidence of the Jewish custom of receiving proselytes through baptism or dipping, emphasizing that this practice is primarily documented in the |