Numbers 19 20

Numbers 19:20 kjv

But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean.

Numbers 19:20 nkjv

'But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself, that person shall be cut off from among the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean.

Numbers 19:20 niv

But if those who are unclean do not purify themselves, they must be cut off from the community, because they have defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on them, and they are unclean.

Numbers 19:20 esv

"If the man who is unclean does not cleanse himself, that person shall be cut off from the midst of the assembly, since he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. Because the water for impurity has not been thrown on him, he is unclean.

Numbers 19:20 nlt

"But those who become defiled and do not purify themselves will be cut off from the community, for they have defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. Since the water of purification has not been sprinkled on them, they remain defiled.

Numbers 19 verses

Numbers 19 20 Meaning

Numbers 19:20 describes the severe consequence for any individual in ancient Israel who becomes ritually unclean by touching a dead body but fails to undergo the prescribed purification ritual involving the water of purification from sin. Such a person, if they remain unpurified, is deemed to have defiled the sacred Tabernacle of the Lord, and as a result, they are to be "cut off" from the congregation, remaining in their defiled state. This punishment signifies both excommunication from the community and divine judgment.

Numbers 19 20 Context

Numbers Chapter 19 details the unique purification ritual involving the ashes of a perfectly red heifer without blemish, upon which no yoke had come. This rare and distinctive sacrifice provided the "water of separation," an essential purification means for individuals who became ritually unclean by contact with a dead human body. Such defilement was considered the highest degree of ritual impurity because death is the ultimate antithesis of life, and thus the ultimate source of impurity in a covenant that valued life and holiness. The Tabernacle, as God's dwelling place among His people, had to remain absolutely holy, meaning any defilement, especially contact with death, rendered one unfit to approach God or participate in the community's worship and daily life. Verse 20 emphasizes the extreme severity of neglecting this crucial purification, asserting that failure to cleanse oneself amounted to an active defilement of the sanctuary, thereby meriting exclusion from the covenant community. This regulation ensured the sanctity of the Tabernacle and the corporate purity of Israel as God's chosen people, distinguishing them sharply from pagan nations who often incorporated death rites into their worship or lacked such strict purity codes in approaching their deities.

Numbers 19 20 Word analysis

• But: Connects this verse as a direct consequence or alternative outcome to the preceding regulations of purification. It sets up a contrasting scenario: purification (vv. 12-19) versus failure to purify (v. 20).
• the man: Hebrew ʾîš (איש). Refers to any male individual. However, the subsequent "that soul" (nephesh) broadens it to include any person.
• that shall be unclean: Hebrew ṭāmēʾ (טָמֵא). Signifies a state of ritual defilement. Here, specifically the severe uncleanness from contact with a dead body, as described in Num. 19:11-16. This state rendered a person unfit for sacred interaction or communal participation.
• and shall not purify himself: Refers to the willful omission or neglect of the prescribed purification rites involving the ashes of the red heifer. It highlights personal responsibility to seek cleansing.
• that soul: Hebrew nepeš (נפש). Often translated as "soul" or "person." In this context, it emphasizes the individual being, encompassing their life and identity within the community.
• shall be cut off: Hebrew kārat (כרת). A very severe penalty in the Old Testament, meaning to be separated or eliminated from the community of Israel. This could involve excommunication, banishment, or divine judgment leading to premature death, ensuring that their defilement does not contaminate the whole camp. It signified breaking covenant with God and His people.
• from among the congregation: Hebrew mîtôkh haʿēdâ (מִתּוֹךְ הָעֵדָה). The ʿēdâ (congregation) refers to the assembled community of Israel, a corporate entity representing God's people. Being cut off from it meant losing all covenant privileges and benefits.
• because he hath defiled: Hebrew ṭimmēʾ (טמּא) (piel stem of ṭāmēʾ). The intensive form of "unclean," meaning to actively pollute, defile, or contaminate. The failure to purify oneself is presented not as a passive state but as an active defilement through continued presence in impurity.
• the sanctuary of the Lord: Hebrew miqdāš Yahweh (מִקְדַּשׁ יהוה). Refers to the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place in the midst of Israel. Its holiness was paramount, and any defilement of it was an offense against God Himself. Its purity ensured God's continued presence.
• and the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him: Hebrew ûmê niddâ lōʾ huzzeh ʿālāyw (וּמֵי נִדָּה לֹא־הֻזָּה עָלָיו). The "water of separation" (lit. "water of impurity," signifying water for impurity) was the specific ritual washing required to remove corpse defilement. Its absence indicates the individual deliberately refused the God-given means of cleansing.
• he is unclean: Reinforces the persistent state of defilement. This re-assertion emphasizes that without the ritual cleansing, the impurity remains, along with its spiritual and social consequences.

Numbers 19 20 Bonus section

The ritual of the Red Heifer in Numbers 19 is unique; unlike most sacrifices, it was performed outside the camp (Num. 19:3) and its ashes were stored for future use. The water of purification derived from these ashes paradoxically made those handling it impure (Num. 19:8, 10, 21), highlighting the deep mystery of sin and cleansing – that something that purifies can simultaneously transmit impurity to its handlers, perhaps pointing to the vicarious nature of bearing the burden of sin to cleanse others. This singular nature makes the negligence in verse 20 particularly grave, as a specific, powerful divine remedy was rejected. Furthermore, the penalty of being "cut off" (kārat) is one of the most potent threats in the Pentateuch, found across various offenses (blasphemy, neglect of specific feasts, moral transgressions). Its consistent use here underscores that ritual defilement related to the sanctuary was on par with high moral crimes in terms of its covenant implications, because both violate the foundational holiness required for relationship with God. The consequence of being cut off implies not only social exclusion but also potentially divine removal, highlighting the gravity of living outside God's prescribed terms for relationship.

Numbers 19 20 Commentary

Numbers 19:20 underscores the paramount importance of ritual purity and the sanctity of God's presence in Israel. The "cut off" penalty for neglecting the water of purification for sin was not merely a physical removal but a profound spiritual consequence: it meant a break from covenant with Yahweh and His people. This severe judgment highlights that defilement, particularly from death, was a serious impediment to God's holy dwelling among them. The law was not arbitrary; it emphasized God's nature as life-giver and His abhorrence of anything that speaks of death, which entered through sin. The provided purification means, the "water of separation," was a divine provision to restore fellowship. Thus, failure to utilize it was not just neglect but an active defilement, demonstrating disdain for God's holiness and His way of atonement. The chapter, including this verse, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's perfect sacrifice, which alone can cleanse us from the spiritual death and defilement of sin, and to reject Him means remaining in that defiled state.