Numbers 31:20

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood.

Original Language Analysis

וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 1 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֶּ֧גֶד all your raiment H899
בֶּ֧גֶד all your raiment
Strong's: H899
Word #: 2 of 12
a covering, i.e., clothing
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 3 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּלִי and all that is made H3627
כְּלִי and all that is made
Strong's: H3627
Word #: 4 of 12
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
ע֛וֹר of skins H5785
ע֛וֹר of skins
Strong's: H5785
Word #: 5 of 12
skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה and all work H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה and all work
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 7 of 12
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
עִזִּ֖ים of goats H5795
עִזִּ֖ים of goats
Strong's: H5795
Word #: 8 of 12
a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 9 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּלִי and all that is made H3627
כְּלִי and all that is made
Strong's: H3627
Word #: 10 of 12
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
עֵ֑ץ of wood H6086
עֵ֑ץ of wood
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 11 of 12
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
תִּתְחַטָּֽאוּ׃ And purify H2398
תִּתְחַטָּֽאוּ׃ And purify
Strong's: H2398
Word #: 12 of 12
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

Analysis & Commentary

Purify all your raiment...all that is made of skins...goats' hair...and...wood—this verse expands purification from persons (v.19) to possessions. The Hebrew chata (purify) required treating all plundered items that contacted corpses or battlefield death. Different materials required different methods (v.23): fire-resistant metals went through fire, while organic materials (cloth, leather, hair, wood) underwent water purification to avoid destruction.

This comprehensive cleansing taught that defilement spreads beyond persons to possessions—sin's contamination affects everything it touches. Israel couldn't bring death's taint into the camp even through inanimate objects. The principle: holiness requires attention to details; partial obedience preserves corrupting influences. New Testament believers are called to 'cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit' (2 Corinthians 7:1), examining not just actions but possessions, entertainments, and influences that defile.

Historical Context

Ancient warfare plunder included clothing, leather goods (tents, water skins, armor), woven items (goat hair tents were common), and wooden implements (bows, tools, household items). Bringing these into camp without purification would ritually defile the entire community, making corporate worship impossible. The law anticipated problems: soldiers couldn't simply abandon valuable spoils, so God provided cleansing methods preserving material value while removing spiritual defilement. This demonstrated that holiness concerns extend to economic and material dimensions, not just personal morality—a distinction often lost in modern individualistic spirituality.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources