Numbers 31 23

Numbers 31:23 kjv

Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water.

Numbers 31:23 nkjv

everything that can endure fire, you shall put through the fire, and it shall be clean; and it shall be purified with the water of purification. But all that cannot endure fire you shall put through water.

Numbers 31:23 niv

and anything else that can withstand fire must be put through the fire, and then it will be clean. But it must also be purified with the water of cleansing. And whatever cannot withstand fire must be put through that water.

Numbers 31:23 esv

everything that can stand the fire, you shall pass through the fire, and it shall be clean. Nevertheless, it shall also be purified with the water for impurity. And whatever cannot stand the fire, you shall pass through the water.

Numbers 31:23 nlt

that is, all metals that do not burn ? must be passed through fire in order to be made ceremonially pure. These metal objects must then be further purified with the water of purification. But everything that burns must be purified by the water alone.

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 23 Meaning

Numbers 31:23 details the two-fold purification process for items taken as spoil from the Midianites before they could be brought into the Israelite camp. Items durable enough to withstand high heat, primarily metals, were to be cleansed by fire to purge material impurities. Additionally, all items, whether fire-cleansed or not, were required to undergo a further ritual purification using the "water of purification," specifically referencing the ashes of the red heifer (Numbers 19), to remove spiritual or ceremonial defilement associated with their pagan origins and the context of death in war. Items not suitable for fire, such as textiles or wood, were to be cleansed with water alone. This command emphasized the rigorous requirements for ritual purity in the presence of a holy God and the necessity of sanctifying even material possessions obtained from a defiled source.

Numbers 31 23 Context

Numbers chapter 31 records Israel's holy war against Midian, commanded by the Lord to avenge their actions concerning Baal-Peor (Num 25). Following a decisive victory where all Midianite men, kings, and Balaam were killed, Moses became angry with the commanders for sparing the Midianite women, who were instrumental in leading Israel into sin. Moses commanded that all male children and non-virgin women be killed, and all virgin women and all spoil be taken for themselves (Num 31:15-18). Before the army could re-enter the camp, they, and everything they touched, had to undergo purification from the defilement of battle and contact with the dead (Num 31:19-20). Verse 23 specifies the method for purifying the non-living plunder, laying down precise rules based on the material properties of the items and the type of defilement perceived. This meticulous purification underscored the sacred nature of the Israelite camp and God's absolute demand for ritual purity, particularly after contact with a pagan nation whose idolatry had profoundly polluted Israel. The use of "water of purification" connects directly to the highly specific purification ritual for corpse defilement (Num 19), implying the spoils carried a deep, inherent uncleanness.

Numbers 31 23 Word analysis

• everything (כֹּל, kol): Refers to all objects collectively. This inclusiveness emphasizes the absolute necessity of purification for all material spoils taken, leaving nothing untouched. It underscores the pervasive nature of impurity derived from the pagan enemy.
• that can pass through fire (אֲשֶׁר יָבֹא בָאֵשׁ, asher yavo ba'esh): This phrase describes objects that are intrinsically fire-resistant, primarily metals like gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead, as listed in the preceding verse (Num 31:22). It implies a physical test, a melting or extreme heating process, designed to purge physical impurities or contaminants that cannot endure intense heat.
• you shall put through fire (תַּעֲבִירוּ בָאֵשׁ, ta'aviru va'esh): The verb "put through" (הַעֲבִיר, ha'avir, Hiphil of avar) signifies causing something to pass over, through, or across. Here, it implies subjecting the object directly to intense flame. Fire serves as a powerful symbol of purification and divine judgment throughout Scripture, consuming what is impure or corrupt.
• and it shall be clean (וְטָהֵר, veṭāhēr): This signifies ceremonial or ritual purity, not merely hygienic cleanliness. Once passed through fire, the item becomes acceptable for use within the holy community of Israel. This refers to the physical cleansing from Midianite defilement, which includes any residual pagan rituals or idols they were part of, as fire annihilates such contaminants.
• Nevertheless (אַךְ, 'akh): A strong adversative conjunction meaning "but," "however," "only," or "surely." It introduces an essential qualification or an additional, equally critical requirement. It signals that fire alone is not sufficient; an additional, deeper purification is needed.
• it shall be purified (יִתְחַטָּא, yitḥatta'): This is the Hithpael stem of the verb חָטָא (ḥata', "to miss the mark," "to sin"). In this stem, it means "to purify oneself," "to cleanse oneself from sin or impurity," often related to atonement or sin-offering rites (e.g., Lev 16:30; Num 8:21). Its use here emphasizes that the objects carried a profound ritual uncleanness, as if "sinful" or "polluted" beyond simple material defilement, requiring a deep, ritual cleansing.
• with the water of purification (בְּמֵי נִדָּה, b'mei niddah): This is a very specific ritual purification water. It refers to the water mixed with the ashes of the red heifer, as detailed in Numbers chapter 19. This water was primarily used for the purification of individuals and objects contaminated by contact with a dead body, which was considered the most severe form of ritual uncleanness in Israel. Its application to battle spoils underscores the severity of the defilement due to the war (and thus contact with the dead) and the association of the Midianites with profound spiritual defilement (idolatry of Baal-Peor).
• and whatever cannot pass through fire (וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָבֹא בָאֵשׁ, vekol asher lo yavo ba'esh): This refers to items that would be destroyed or damaged by fire, such as fabrics (clothing), leather, wood, and other organic materials mentioned in Numbers 31:20.
• you shall put through water (תַּעֲבִירוּ בַמָּיִם, ta'aviru vamayim): This signifies simple washing or immersion in water. For these less durable items, fire was unsuitable, so water alone provided the necessary ritual cleansing from ordinary contact-based impurities, albeit they too required the mei niddah as per Num 31:20.

Words-group Analysis:

• "everything that can pass through fire, you shall put through fire, and it shall be clean": This sequence establishes fire as the primary purifier for metals, purging inherent material impurities and making them ritually clean at a foundational level. The physical durability under intense heat determined this method of cleansing.
• "Nevertheless, it shall be purified with the water of purification": This phrase is crucial. It signifies that the purification by fire was not the ultimate or complete cleansing. The use of "water of purification" (the red heifer ashes water) indicates that a deeper, more profound defilement—akin to that from touching a corpse, or perhaps spiritual contamination from paganism—remained, requiring this most potent known ritual cleansing. This shows that the impurity was multifaceted, physical and ritual/spiritual.
• "and whatever cannot pass through fire you shall put through water": This sets forth a distinct, gentler method for items unsuitable for fire, indicating a practical yet still ritualistic approach. However, Numbers 31:20 implies these also required the mei niddah, reinforcing that the primary concern was profound ritual purity, regardless of the initial material cleansing method.

Numbers 31 23 Bonus section

The specific command to use the mei niddah (water of purification, from Num 19) for all spoils—even those subjected to fire—is particularly significant. It implies that the Israelites perceived a profound spiritual defilement, perhaps an idolatrous residue or an uncleanness akin to corpse defilement due to the intensity of the "holy war" context, that necessitated the highest form of purification known to them. This detail underscores that the impurity was not just physical dirt from battle, but a deep spiritual contamination resulting from their contact with an enemy steeped in pagan idolatry and their involvement in bloodshed. It foreshadows the profound cleansing available in Christ, whose sacrifice effectively purifies believers from defilement and sin that external rituals could only partially address (Heb 9:13-14). This passage reinforces the idea that true purity before God requires not just physical removal of impurities but a spiritual sanctification that only divine means can accomplish.

Numbers 31 23 Commentary

Numbers 31:23 provides intricate detail into Israel's laws of purification, particularly relevant following the war with Midian. It reveals a sophisticated understanding of purity and impurity, demanding specific cleansing protocols for various items taken as spoil. The primary purpose was to ensure that nothing brought into the holy community of Israel carried defilement from the pagan Midianites or the taint of death from the battlefield.

The verse outlines a two-tiered system of purification:

1. Fire Purification: For items like metals, fire serves as an agent of purification, physically burning away impurities (dross) and any ceremonial contamination embedded within the material from its Midianite pagan origins. This process symbolizes the thorough judgment of God against defilement and His ability to purge what is unclean.
2. Water of Purification (Mei Niddah): Crucially, the verse adds that all items (even those passed through fire) must also be purified with the mei niddah. This "water of purification" (red heifer ashes mixed with water) was the highest form of ritual cleansing prescribed for contact with a corpse, signifying the most severe type of impurity (Numbers 19). Its application here highlights that the Midianite spoils were not just physically unclean, but also profoundly ritually defiled by their association with death, paganism, and the egregious sins of Baal-Peor. It served as an antidote to pervasive, unseen defilement that mere physical washing could not remove, much like spiritual defilement often requires more than surface-level cleansing.

For items not amenable to fire, such as textiles or wood, simple water washing was prescribed as the initial material purification, understanding that the more significant spiritual/ritual cleansing would come from the mei niddah.

This directive emphasizes God's meticulous concern for holiness in His people's midst. Every material possession, acquired even through a commanded war, needed to be consecrated and purified for the holy presence of God to remain with them. It underscores that God requires a profound cleansing not just for people but for anything that might pollute His sacred space, reminding us that contact with unholiness or worldliness necessitates intentional purification for continued fellowship with the Lord. It serves as a reminder that Christians, called to be a holy people, must likewise cleanse themselves from all defilement, relying on the washing of regeneration and the cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice, often symbolized by water and Spirit (Eph 5:26; Tit 3:5).