Numbers 19:16
And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
Original Language Analysis
וְכֹ֨ל
H3605
וְכֹ֨ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִגַּ֜ע
And whosoever toucheth
H5060
יִגַּ֜ע
And whosoever toucheth
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
3 of 18
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
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֣י
in the open
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
in the open
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בַּֽחֲלַל
one that is slain
H2491
בַּֽחֲלַל
one that is slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
7 of 18
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
חֶ֙רֶב֙
with a sword
H2719
חֶ֙רֶב֙
with a sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
8 of 18
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
א֣וֹ
H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
9 of 18
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
בְמֵ֔ת
or a dead body
H4191
בְמֵ֔ת
or a dead body
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
10 of 18
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אֽוֹ
H176
אֽוֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
11 of 18
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
בְעֶ֥צֶם
or a bone
H6106
בְעֶ֥צֶם
or a bone
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
12 of 18
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
אָדָ֖ם
of a man
H120
אָדָ֖ם
of a man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
13 of 18
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
א֣וֹ
H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
14 of 18
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
יִטְמָ֖א
shall be unclean
H2930
יִטְמָ֖א
shall be unclean
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
16 of 18
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
Cross References
Matthew 23:27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.Numbers 31:19And do ye abide without the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person, and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day.Luke 11:44Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.Numbers 19:11He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.
Historical Context
The "open fields" (sadeh, שָׂדֶה) reference relates to Israel's military context—soldiers would inevitably contact slain enemies. This provision ensured warriors could be purified after battle before rejoining the camp. Graves in ancient Israel were typically caves or rock-cut tombs, often marked with stones. Later Jewish tradition developed the practice of whitewashing tombs to warn travelers against accidental defilement (Matthew 23:27). The bone contamination provision remained significant—even ancient remains defiled, which complicated land use in areas of previous habitation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does death's defiling power extending to bones and graves illustrate sin's lasting effects?
- What does the equal treatment of all forms of death-contact teach about sin's universal seriousness?
- In what ways does this comprehensive defilement point to humanity's need for equally comprehensive cleansing through Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days—This extends the contamination principle beyond tent-deaths to various death-contact scenarios. "Slain with a sword" (chalal cherev, חֲלַל חֶרֶב) refers to violent death in battle. The progression—whole body, partial remains ("bone"), or burial place ("grave")—shows death's contaminating power persists even in fragments and marked locations.
Death defiles regardless of how it occurred or how much of the corpse remains. Even touching a single human bone or standing over a grave transmitted uncleanness. This comprehensive scope demonstrates death's totalizing corruption—no part of death is clean or acceptable. The "seven days" requirement applies universally, treating all death-contact equally seriously. This anticipates that Christ's atonement addresses all sin and death's effects comprehensively—no partial cleansing suffices, only complete purification through His blood.