Numbers Chapter 19 · Verse 14
This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days.
Original Language Analysis
הַתּוֹרָ֔ה
This is the law
H8451
הַתּוֹרָ֔ה
This is the law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
2 of 16
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
אָדָ֖ם
when a man
H120
אָדָ֖ם
when a man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 16
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָמ֣וּת
dieth
H4191
יָמ֣וּת
dieth
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
5 of 16
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בָּאֹ֔הֶל
and all that is in the tent
H168
בָּאֹ֔הֶל
and all that is in the tent
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
6 of 16
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַבָּ֤א
all that come
H935
הַבָּ֤א
all that come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
8 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בָּאֹ֔הֶל
and all that is in the tent
H168
בָּאֹ֔הֶל
and all that is in the tent
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
10 of 16
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּאֹ֔הֶל
and all that is in the tent
H168
בָּאֹ֔הֶל
and all that is in the tent
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
13 of 16
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
יִטְמָ֖א
shall be unclean
H2930
יִטְמָ֖א
shall be unclean
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
14 of 16
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
Historical Context
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, death produced ritual impurity requiring purification before resuming normal activities, especially worship. Israel's system was more comprehensive than neighboring cultures, emphasizing death's theological significance as sin's consequence. In practical terms, with approximately 2-3 million Israelites and normal mortality rates, thousands died annually, making corpse contamination a constant concern. This law ensured the community maintained ritual purity necessary for God's presence among them.
Questions for Reflection
- How does death's contaminating power illustrate sin's pervasive effects on all creation?
- What does the requirement for purification before worship teach about God's holiness?
- In what ways does Christ's resurrection defeat death's defiling power permanently?
Analysis & Commentary
This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days—Death's contaminating power extended to everyone and everything in proximity. The Hebrew torah (תּוֹרָה, law/instruction) indicates this is authoritative divine teaching governing ritual purity. The tent, Israel's basic dwelling unit, became a zone of contamination requiring comprehensive purification.
Seven days of uncleanness emphasizes death's seriousness—the same duration as major ritual impurities (Leviticus 15:19, 28). Death, sin's ultimate consequence (Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23), defiled everything it touched. This wasn't superstition but profound theological symbolism: death represents the curse of sin, incompatible with the Holy God's presence. The ritual reminded Israel that they lived in a fallen world under sin's reign until the coming Redeemer would abolish death (2 Timothy 1:10; 1 Corinthians 15:26).