Numbers 19:8
And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even.
Original Language Analysis
אֹתָ֔הּ
H853
אֹתָ֔הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְכַבֵּ֤ס
her shall wash
H3526
יְכַבֵּ֤ס
her shall wash
Strong's:
H3526
Word #:
3 of 11
to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative
בַּמָּ֑יִם
in water
H4325
בַּמָּ֑יִם
in water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
5 of 11
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
בְּשָׂר֖וֹ
his flesh
H1320
בְּשָׂר֖וֹ
his flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
7 of 11
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
בַּמָּ֑יִם
in water
H4325
בַּמָּ֑יִם
in water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
8 of 11
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
וְטָמֵ֖א
and shall be unclean
H2930
וְטָמֵ֖א
and shall be unclean
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
9 of 11
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
Historical Context
The requirement for washing in water and waiting until evening established a pattern: purification takes time and requires proper procedure. Instant cleansing wasn't available even through this special provision. Only Christ's blood provides immediate, complete purification (1 John 1:7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding the costliness of your purification affect your gratitude toward Christ?
- What does Christ's willingness to become 'unclean' for you reveal about His love?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Even the one who burned the heifer became unclean, must wash, and remain unclean until evening. The contaminating nature of death extended to all who handled its purification, showing sin's pervasive pollution. Yet these unclean participants produced ashes that would purify others—a profound picture of substitutionary work that costs the substitute dearly.