Numbers 5:2

Authorized King James Version

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Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead:

Original Language Analysis

צַ֚ו Command H6680
צַ֚ו Command
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 1 of 14
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֣י the children H1121
בְּנֵ֣י the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 4 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וִֽישַׁלְּחוּ֙ that they put out H7971
וִֽישַׁלְּחוּ֙ that they put out
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 5 of 14
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מִן H4480
מִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה of the camp H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה of the camp
Strong's: H4264
Word #: 7 of 14
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 8 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
צָר֖וּעַ every leper H6879
צָר֖וּעַ every leper
Strong's: H6879
Word #: 9 of 14
to scourge, i.e., (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זָ֑ב and every one that hath an issue H2100
זָ֑ב and every one that hath an issue
Strong's: H2100
Word #: 11 of 14
to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow
וְכֹ֖ל H3605
וְכֹ֖ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 12 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
טָמֵ֥א and whosoever is defiled H2931
טָמֵ֥א and whosoever is defiled
Strong's: H2931
Word #: 13 of 14
foul in a religious sense
לָנָֽפֶשׁ׃ by the dead H5315
לָנָֽפֶשׁ׃ by the dead
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 14 of 14
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis & Commentary

God's command to put out of the camp all lepers, those with bodily discharge, and corpse-defiled persons emphasizes the incompatibility of uncleanness with His holy presence. The camp represented the congregation as God's dwelling place, requiring purity. This separation was both hygienic and theological, teaching that sin and defilement cannot coexist with God's holiness. The church today must also practice discipline, removing impenitent sinners from fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:13) to preserve the congregation's purity.

Historical Context

The three categories of exclusion (leprosy, bodily discharge, corpse defilement) covered various forms of ritual uncleanness detailed in Leviticus 11-15. Those excluded camped outside until cleansed and certified by priests. This physical separation symbolized spiritual separation from God caused by sin. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Israelites practiced careful hygiene and quarantine, advanced for their era, based on these divine health regulations.

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