Numbers 19:20
But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִ֤ישׁ
But the man
H376
וְאִ֤ישׁ
But the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 22
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)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
טִמֵּ֗א
because he hath defiled
H2930
טִמֵּ֗א
because he hath defiled
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
3 of 22
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתְחַטָּ֔א
and shall not purify
H2398
יִתְחַטָּ֔א
and shall not purify
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה
shall be cut off
H3772
וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה
shall be cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
6 of 22
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
himself that soul
H5315
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ
himself that soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
7 of 22
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 #:
8 of 22
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
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִקְדַּ֨שׁ
the sanctuary
H4720
מִקְדַּ֨שׁ
the sanctuary
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
13 of 22
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
יְהוָ֜ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
טִמֵּ֗א
because he hath defiled
H2930
טִמֵּ֗א
because he hath defiled
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
15 of 22
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
מֵ֥י
the water
H4325
מֵ֥י
the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
16 of 22
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
נִדָּ֛ה
of separation
H5079
נִדָּ֛ה
of separation
Strong's:
H5079
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
זֹרַ֥ק
hath not been sprinkled
H2236
זֹרַ֥ק
hath not been sprinkled
Strong's:
H2236
Word #:
19 of 22
to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)
עָלָ֖יו
H5921
עָלָ֖יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Mark 16:16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.Genesis 17:14And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.Numbers 19:13Whosoever 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.
Historical Context
This law maintained Israel's corporate holiness during the wilderness journey. Unlike accidental uncleanness (which the purification ritual addressed), deliberate persistence in impurity showed contempt for the covenant. The community's survival depended on maintaining God's presence among them, making this excommunication necessary for the congregation's protection.
Questions for Reflection
- Are there areas where you're knowingly avoiding God's cleansing, preferring the comfort of familiar sin?
- How does understanding that your sin affects the entire body of Christ motivate you toward holiness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse pronounces judgment on willful uncleanness: the defiled person who refuses purification 'shall be cut off from among the congregation.' The Hebrew emphasizes deliberate refusal - knowing the remedy yet rejecting it. This foreshadows the unforgivable sin: not that any sin is too great for God's grace, but that persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit's conviction removes one from the means of grace (Heb 6:4-6, 10:26-29). The pollution affects the entire sanctuary because God dwells among His people, and unholiness cannot coexist with His presence.