Numbers 19:18
And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:
Original Language Analysis
בַּמַּיִם֮
it in the water
H4325
בַּמַּיִם֮
it in the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
4 of 26
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
אִ֣ישׁ
person
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
person
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 26
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
טָהוֹר֒
And a clean
H2889
טָהוֹר֒
And a clean
Strong's:
H2889
Word #:
6 of 26
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
וְהִזָּ֤ה
and sprinkle
H5137
וְהִזָּ֤ה
and sprinkle
Strong's:
H5137
Word #:
7 of 26
to spirt, i.e., besprinkle (especially in expiation)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָאֹ֙הֶל֙
it upon the tent
H168
הָאֹ֙הֶל֙
it upon the tent
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
9 of 26
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַכֵּלִ֔ים
and upon all the vessels
H3627
הַכֵּלִ֔ים
and upon all the vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
12 of 26
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנְּפָשׁ֖וֹת
and upon the persons
H5315
הַנְּפָשׁ֖וֹת
and upon the persons
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָֽיוּ
H1961
הָֽיוּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
16 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנֹּגֵ֗עַ
that were there and upon him that touched
H5060
הַנֹּגֵ֗עַ
that were there and upon him that touched
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
19 of 26
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
בַּעֶ֙צֶם֙
a bone
H6106
בַּעֶ֙צֶם֙
a bone
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
20 of 26
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
א֣וֹ
H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
21 of 26
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
בֶֽחָלָ֔ל
or one slain
H2491
בֶֽחָלָ֔ל
or one slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
22 of 26
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
א֥וֹ
H176
א֥וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
23 of 26
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
בַמֵּ֖ת
or one dead
H4191
בַמֵּ֖ת
or one dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
24 of 26
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Cross References
Hebrews 9:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?Numbers 19:9And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.
Historical Context
Hyssop was likely the Syrian marjoram (Origanum syriacum), a common plant in the Middle East with small branches ideal for sprinkling. Its humble nature may symbolize that God uses simple means for profound spiritual realities. The practice of ritual sprinkling with hyssop was common in Israel's purification rites (Leviticus 14:4-7, 49-52). The requirement that a clean person perform the sprinkling created a purification hierarchy—those already pure could restore others, illustrating spiritual restoration through those walking in fellowship with God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the requirement for a clean mediator prefigure Christ's sinless mediation?
- What does hyssop's humble nature teach about God's choice of means for spiritual cleansing?
- In what ways should spiritually clean believers serve as agents of restoration for the defiled?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there—The purification required a ceremonially clean person as mediator, prefiguring Christ's sinless mediation. Hyssop (ezov, אֵזוֹב), a small bushy plant, served as the aspergillum (sprinkling device). Hyssop's use connects to Passover blood-application (Exodus 12:22) and David's plea "purge me with hyssop" (Psalm 51:7), consistently symbolizing cleansing.
The water mixed with red heifer ashes (called "water of separation," v. 9) was sprinkled on tent, vessels, and persons—comprehensive purification of place, possessions, and people. "Sprinkle" (nazah, נָזָה) means to scatter droplets in ritual purification. This anticipates Christ's blood being "sprinkled" on believers (Hebrews 10:22; 1 Peter 1:2). The clean person mediating purification for the unclean models Christ, the sinless one who cleanses sinners without becoming contaminated Himself.