Numbers 31 20

Numbers 31:20 kjv

And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood.

Numbers 31:20 nkjv

Purify every garment, everything made of leather, everything woven of goats' hair, and everything made of wood."

Numbers 31:20 niv

Purify every garment as well as everything made of leather, goat hair or wood."

Numbers 31:20 esv

You shall purify every garment, every article of skin, all work of goats' hair, and every article of wood."

Numbers 31:20 nlt

Purify all your clothing, too, and everything made of leather, goat hair, or wood."

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 20 Meaning

This verse instructs the Israelites to ritually cleanse various non-metallic items captured as spoils from the Midianites. The command "you shall purify" signifies a necessary removal of defilement to make these objects ritually clean and acceptable for use by the holy people of Israel, distinguishing them from the unclean practices of the Midianites. The specified materials – garments, leather articles, goat-hair work, and wooden articles – are all porous and capable of absorbing ritual impurity, hence requiring purification, in this context, primarily by water.

Numbers 31 20 Context

Numbers chapter 31 describes Israel's punitive war against the Midianites, commanded by God as retribution for their role in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality at Peor (Num 25). After the victory, Moses and Eleazar establish regulations for purifying the spoils of war. The captured people (virgins) and material possessions had been exposed to the Midianites' paganism, death (battlefield), and general defilement, which were ritually contaminating for the Israelites. Therefore, the command to purify was essential to maintain the sanctity of the Israelite camp and to prepare the captured goods for their integration into Israelite life. Verse 20, specifically, deals with items made of porous materials that readily absorb ritual uncleanness, specifying their required purification method—generally, by washing with water (as detailed in accompanying purity laws).

Numbers 31 20 Word analysis

• You shall purify: The Hebrew word teṭaharu (תטהרו) is from the root ṭāhēr (טהר), meaning "to be clean" or "pure." The Hiphil verbal stem (imperfect, second person plural) signifies an active command: "you must cause to be clean" or "you must make pure." It denotes a formal, ritual process of cleansing required by God's law. This is not mere washing for hygiene but a spiritual/ceremonial act to remove ritual impurity that would defile God's holy people and camp.

• every garment: The Hebrew kol beged (כל בגד) refers to all clothing or fabrics. In Israelite law, garments could easily contract ritual uncleanness (e.g., from bodily discharges, leprosy/mildew, or contact with forbidden things), requiring specific cleansing procedures, often washing with water (Lev 13:47-59, 15:17). This indicates the comprehensive nature of the required purification for all textiles.

• every article of leather: The Hebrew kol kělí ‘ôr (כל כלי עור) designates any utensil or vessel made of animal hide or leather. Leather, like fabric, is a porous material that can absorb and retain ritual defilement. Examples include pouches, sandals, or even leather flasks. The purification of such items was a standard part of Israelite purity laws (Lev 11:32).

• all work of goats' hair: The phrase kol ma‘ăśēh ‘ezzīm (כל מעשה עזים) refers to items made from goat hair, likely woven fabrics used for tents, coverings, or specialized garments. Goats' hair was a common material for nomadic peoples due to its durability and availability. As a fabric, it also possessed absorptive qualities, making it susceptible to ritual defilement and necessitating cleansing similar to other textiles.

• and every article of wood: The Hebrew kol kělí ‘ēṣ (כל כלי עץ) means any vessel, tool, or implement made of wood. Wooden items were ubiquitous in daily life. Like leather and fabric, wood is porous and capable of absorbing and retaining ritual uncleanness. Laws regarding wooden vessels becoming unclean appear elsewhere in the Torah, often requiring rinsing (Lev 11:32-33).

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "You shall purify every...": This opening phrase establishes the divine imperative for comprehensive and mandatory purification. It applies to all items within the specified categories, leaving no room for selective cleansing. The emphasis on "every" (Hebrew: kol) underscores the thoroughness required due to the contaminating nature of the source (Midianites, idolatry, battle death).
  • "garment, every article of leather, all work of goats' hair, and every article of wood": This list groups together materials that are notably porous and absorb contaminates. The common method of purification for these items was washing with water (implied by this verse in contrast to the fire purification mentioned for metals in Num 31:23, and confirmed by other Torah passages like Lev 11:32). This distinction highlights a sophisticated understanding of material properties regarding the retention and removal of impurity, differentiating them from non-porous materials like metals. These categories cover a significant portion of household and personal effects commonly acquired in war spoils.

Numbers 31 20 Bonus section

• The differentiation of purification methods for spoils—water for porous materials (v. 20) and fire for metals (v. 22-23)—demonstrates a pragmatic understanding of how different materials might best be purged of impurities, reflecting God's detailed concern for physical and spiritual hygiene.
• This act of cleansing items previously belonging to pagan Midianites also serves as a vivid object lesson against syncretism. It teaches that even common objects, if defiled by ungodly contact, need deliberate sanctification before they can be brought into the sphere of Israel's holy life and worship. This reinforces Israel's call to be a distinctly separate and holy nation unto God.

Numbers 31 20 Commentary

Numbers 31:20 is a meticulous command rooted in God's absolute holiness and His demand for a holy people living in a consecrated camp. The verse highlights that not only individuals but also inanimate objects could contract ritual impurity through association with pagan practices or the dead. The directive to purify "every garment, every article of leather, all work of goats' hair, and every article of wood" emphasizes the pervasive nature of defilement. These specific items, all being porous materials, would typically absorb and retain impurities, requiring ritual washing. This served as a tangible lesson for Israel about the profound impact of sin and unholiness, impressing upon them that everything intended for use within their holy community, especially items acquired from unholy sources, must be separated from defilement and consecrated to the Lord. It teaches that proximity to God requires purification and demonstrates His comprehensive provisions for cleansing.