Numbers 5:17
And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:
Original Language Analysis
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 17
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַמָּֽיִם׃
it into the water
H4325
הַמָּֽיִם׃
it into the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
3 of 17
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
קְדֹשִׁ֖ים
holy
H6918
קְדֹשִׁ֖ים
holy
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
4 of 17
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
בִּכְלִי
vessel
H3627
בִּכְלִי
vessel
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
5 of 17
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
וּמִן
H4480
וּמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הֶֽעָפָ֗ר
and of the dust
H6083
הֶֽעָפָ֗ר
and of the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
8 of 17
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִֽהְיֶה֙
H1961
יִֽהְיֶה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּקַרְקַ֣ע
that is in the floor
H7172
בְּקַרְקַ֣ע
that is in the floor
Strong's:
H7172
Word #:
11 of 17
floor (as if a pavement of pieces or tesseroe), of a building or the sea
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן
of the tabernacle
H4908
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן
of the tabernacle
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
12 of 17
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
14 of 17
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
Historical Context
The laver stood in the tabernacle courtyard between the altar and the tent entrance. Priests washed there before entering God's presence or offering sacrifices. The water was thus associated with purification and preparation to approach God. The tabernacle floor's dust came from the very ground made holy by God's presence.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the combination of holy water and common dust teach about God's ability to use all elements for His purposes?
- How does the earthen vessel symbolize humanity's role as bearers of what is holy?
- In what ways does the dust element recall the curse and point toward the need for redemption?
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Analysis & Commentary
The holy water in an earthen vessel combines the sacred and the common. Holy water from the laver used for priestly consecration is placed in a common clay vessel, then mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor. This mixture of holy, common, and even base elements creates the water of testing. The earthen vessel may represent humanity—containing what is holy yet being common clay. The dust recalls the curse on the serpent and on Adam—'dust you are and to dust you shall return.'