Numbers 19:10
And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠כִבֶּס
shall wash
H3526
וְ֠כִבֶּס
shall wash
Strong's:
H3526
Word #:
1 of 18
to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative
הָֽאֹסֵ֨ף
And he that gathereth
H622
הָֽאֹסֵ֨ף
And he that gathereth
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
2 of 18
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְטָמֵ֖א
and be unclean
H2930
וְטָמֵ֖א
and be unclean
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
8 of 18
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְֽהָיְתָ֞ה
H1961
וְֽהָיְתָ֞ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִבְנֵ֣י
and it shall be unto the children
H1121
לִבְנֵ֣י
and it shall be unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְלַגֵּ֛ר
and unto the stranger
H1616
וְלַגֵּ֛ר
and unto the stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
הַגָּ֥ר
that sojourneth
H1481
הַגָּ֥ר
that sojourneth
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
Historical Context
The Hebrew term for 'water of separation' (mei niddah) implies separation from uncleanness. These ashes remained potent indefinitely, kept in a clean place for use whenever needed. This permanent provision demonstrated God's merciful accommodation to death's unavoidable presence in a fallen world.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's once-for-all sacrifice continue to provide cleansing for believers today?
- What daily contaminations require you to appropriate Christ's ongoing cleansing work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The gathered ashes were kept for 'a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.' These ashes, mixed with water, provided ongoing cleansing for corpse contamination throughout Israel's wandering. One sacrifice thus served repeatedly for the whole community. This anticipates Christ's one sacrifice providing perpetual cleansing for all believers across all time.