Numbers 19 22

Numbers 19:22 kjv

And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.

Numbers 19:22 nkjv

Whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the person who touches it shall be unclean until evening.' "

Numbers 19:22 niv

Anything that an unclean person touches becomes unclean, and anyone who touches it becomes unclean till evening."

Numbers 19:22 esv

And whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean, and anyone who touches it shall be unclean until evening."

Numbers 19:22 nlt

Anything and anyone that a defiled person touches will be ceremonially unclean until evening."

Numbers 19 verses

Numbers 19 22 Meaning

Numbers 19:22 declares the contagious nature of ritual defilement associated with severe uncleanness, specifically from contact with the dead as outlined in the preceding verses of the chapter. It states that any object or person directly touched by someone who is ritually unclean becomes unclean itself. Furthermore, if another individual then touches that secondarily defiled object or person, they too contract a degree of uncleanness, which lasts until evening. This highlights the widespread and penetrating effect of ritual impurity and emphasizes the meticulous care required to maintain communal holiness within the Israelite camp.

Numbers 19 22 Context

Numbers 19 is primarily concerned with the unique and severe ritual uncleanness contracted through contact with a dead body and the prescribed method for purification using the ashes of the Red Heifer mixed with water. This entire chapter focuses on maintaining the sanctity of the Israelite camp and preventing defilement from compromising their worship and relationship with a holy God. Unlike other forms of uncleanness (e.g., bodily discharges, food defilement), contact with the dead was particularly potent, as it represented the antithesis of life and holiness. The rituals described were essential for re-integrating individuals into the clean community, enabling them to approach God and participate in tabernacle worship. Verse 22 functions as a crucial detail within this system, explaining how this severe defilement could spread indirectly through a chain of contact, highlighting the pervasive nature of impurity and the need for rigorous adherence to the purity laws to protect the sanctity of God's dwelling among His people.

Numbers 19 22 Word analysis

• Whatever (כֹּל kol): Implies a comprehensive and universal application of the rule within its defined scope. No exceptions for objects or persons, reinforcing the pervasive nature of this specific uncleanness.
• the unclean person (הַטָּמֵא ha-tame): Refers specifically to an individual in a state of ritual impurity, often most severely so due to corpse contamination as in Num 19. The definite article 'the' indicates a known status. This term signifies someone whose condition inherently renders them separated from the sacred realm and capable of contaminating others.
• touches (יִגַּע yigga): From the verb naga (נגע), meaning "to touch, strike, reach." In the context of purity laws, this verb signifies direct physical contact, which serves as the conduit for transferring uncleanness. Its implication here is that mere physical proximity is sufficient to transfer impurity.
• shall be unclean (יִטְמָא yitma): From the same root as tame (טמא), but in the causative form, meaning "will cause to be unclean" or "will become unclean." This highlights the resulting state of the object or secondary person – they actively acquire the status of defilement. It underscores the active, contagious nature of the impurity.
• and whoever touches it (וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִגַּע בּוֹ və-chol asher yigga bo): "And anyone who touches in it/by means of it." This phrase describes the secondary level of contamination. It extends the rule to subsequent contact, showing the 'ripple effect' of defilement. The object (or initially defiled person) acts as an intermediary, transmitting the impurity further.
• shall be unclean (וְטָמֵא və-tame): Again, affirms the resultant state of uncleanness.
• until evening (עַד הָעֶרֶב ad ha'erev): This is a critical temporal specification. While the person primarily defiled by a corpse is unclean for seven days, the objects and persons they secondarily touch (or who touch those objects) are generally rendered unclean "until evening." This signifies a lesser, temporary state of impurity, typically requiring ritual bathing and waiting until sunset to be considered clean again. This distinguishes degrees of uncleanness within the system and shows that indirect contamination often had a milder impact on duration, though still demanding purification.

Numbers 19 22 Bonus section

The strict regulations in Numbers 19:22, showing how defilement spread by touch and even secondhand touch, underscored a crucial theological point for the Israelites: uncleanness (and by extension, sin) is a more potent and easily transferable force than holiness. One clean person could become unclean by touching an unclean object, but a clean object would not become clean by touching a clean person if it was already defiled (cf. Hag 2:12-13, a prophetic question that reaffirms this). This asymmetry highlights humanity's fallen state and the innate weakness of human goodness in the face of spiritual corruption. It built an experiential understanding that true purification and restoration of holiness could only come from a divine source outside of humanity's inherent capabilities, foreshadowing Christ's ability to touch the unclean and cleanse them without becoming defiled Himself (Matt 8:2-3, 9:20-22). The "until evening" stipulation for indirect defilement taught Israel about the different degrees of contamination and the specific, time-bound cleansing rituals God provided, leading to a deeper dependence on His covenant grace.

Numbers 19 22 Commentary

Numbers 19:22 reveals a fundamental aspect of the Israelite purity system: the contagiousness of ritual defilement. It explains how uncleanness, particularly the severe defilement from contact with death, can spread beyond the initial contaminated person, infecting objects and subsequent individuals who come into contact with them. This "ripple effect" emphasizes God's absolute holiness and the meticulous measures required to prevent impurity from infringing upon His dwelling place in the camp. The phrase "until evening" for secondary contamination, contrasted with the seven-day uncleanness of direct corpse contact (Num 19:11), highlights a crucial distinction in the degrees of ritual impurity. It demonstrates that while defilement spread easily, not all levels of defilement carried the same stringent requirements or duration. The laws were not arbitrary; they meticulously delineated the extent of impurity and the steps for remediation, impressing upon the Israelites the pervasive nature of defilement in a fallen world and the critical need for divine means of purification to maintain their holy status as God's chosen people. Ultimately, these stringent physical laws served as pedagogical tools, foreshadowing the deeper spiritual reality of sin's contagious nature and the absolute need for spiritual cleansing only fully accomplished through Christ's sacrifice.

• Practical Usage Example: Understanding this concept can help believers appreciate the need to be discerning about influences and environments (friends, entertainment, speech) that may bring "spiritual defilement" (1 Cor 15:33; Eph 5:3-7). Just as physical defilement could spread, so too can spiritual impurities affect individuals and communities. This verse also underlines the importance of God's prescribed means of purification, then through ritual, now through Christ (1 Jn 1:9).