Numbers 19:13
Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.
Original Language Analysis
כָּֽל
H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַנֹּגֵ֡עַ
Whosoever toucheth
H5060
הַנֹּגֵ֡עַ
Whosoever toucheth
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
2 of 28
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
יָמ֜וּת
that is dead
H4191
יָמ֜וּת
that is dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
3 of 28
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ
and that soul
H5315
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ
and that soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
4 of 28
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
הָֽאָדָ֨ם
of any man
H120
הָֽאָדָ֨ם
of any man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
5 of 28
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָמ֜וּת
that is dead
H4191
יָמ֜וּת
that is dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
7 of 28
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתְחַטָּ֗א
and purifieth
H2398
יִתְחַטָּ֗א
and purifieth
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
9 of 28
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִשְׁכַּ֤ן
the tabernacle
H4908
מִשְׁכַּ֤ן
the tabernacle
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
11 of 28
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
טִמֵּ֔א
not himself defileth
H2930
טִמֵּ֔א
not himself defileth
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
13 of 28
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה
shall be cut off
H3772
וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה
shall be cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
14 of 28
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ
and that soul
H5315
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ
and that soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
15 of 28
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
הַהִ֖וא
H1931
הַהִ֖וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
16 of 28
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
from Israel
H3478
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
from Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
17 of 28
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵ֨י
because the water
H4325
מֵ֨י
because the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
19 of 28
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
נִדָּ֜ה
of separation
H5079
נִדָּ֜ה
of separation
Strong's:
H5079
Word #:
20 of 28
properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
23 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
25 of 28
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ע֖וֹד
H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
26 of 28
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
Cross References
Leviticus 15:31Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.Leviticus 22:3Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD.Leviticus 7:20But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
Historical Context
Written during the wilderness period when death was frequent (due to plagues, warfare, and natural causes), this law maintained the camp's holiness. The tabernacle stood at the center of Israel's camp, making ceremonial purity essential for corporate worship. Failure to purify oneself showed contempt for God's holiness and the covenant relationship.
Questions for Reflection
- How seriously do you take the need for daily cleansing through confession and repentance?
- What unconfessed sin might be defiling your personal 'tabernacle' - your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse reveals the gravity of remaining ceremonially unclean: 'he hath defiled the tabernacle of the LORD' and 'that soul shall be cut off from Israel.' The defiled person's presence threatened the holy congregation and God's dwelling among them. The phrase 'cut off' (Hebrew 'karat') could mean excommunication or, in severe cases, divine judgment unto death. This underscores that unconfessed, uncleansed sin separates from God's presence and the covenant community. The New Testament parallel is clear: unrepentant sin grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30) and disrupts fellowship (1 John 1:6).