Numbers 19:7

Authorized King James Version

Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְכִבֶּ֨ס
shall wash
to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative
#2
בְּגָדָ֜יו
his clothes
a covering, i.e., clothing
#3
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן
Then the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#4
וְרָחַ֤ץ
and he shall bathe
to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)
#5
בְּשָׂרוֹ֙
his flesh
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
#6
בַּמַּ֔יִם
in water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#7
וְאַחַ֖ר
and afterward
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#8
יָבֹ֣א
he shall come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה
into the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#11
וְטָמֵ֥א
shall be unclean
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
#12
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן
Then the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#13
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#14
הָעָֽרֶב׃
until the even
dusk

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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