Numbers 5:3
Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.
Original Language Analysis
מִזָּכָ֤ר
Both male
H2145
מִזָּכָ֤ר
Both male
Strong's:
H2145
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
2 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
תְּשַׁלְּח֑וּם
shall ye put
H7971
תְּשַׁלְּח֑וּם
shall ye put
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
4 of 16
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מִח֥וּץ
without
H2351
מִח֥וּץ
without
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔ם
not their camps
H4264
מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔ם
not their camps
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
7 of 16
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
תְּשַׁלְּח֑וּם
shall ye put
H7971
תְּשַׁלְּח֑וּם
shall ye put
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
8 of 16
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְטַמְּאוּ֙
them that they defile
H2930
יְטַמְּאוּ֙
them that they defile
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
10 of 16
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔ם
not their camps
H4264
מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔ם
not their camps
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
12 of 16
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
whereof
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
whereof
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
God's dwelling among Israel via the tabernacle distinguished them from all nations. While other ancient peoples built temples as houses for their gods, Israel's God chose to journey with His people through the wilderness. This intimate presence brought both incredible privilege and serious responsibility—the congregation had to maintain standards befitting God's presence. The New Covenant fulfills this in greater measure as God dwells in believers individually and corporately.
Questions for Reflection
- How should God's presence among His people shape the church's standards for personal and corporate holiness?
- What practical implications does the Holy Spirit's indwelling have for your daily life and choices?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell' reveals the theological basis for excluding the unclean—God's presence among His people. His holiness requires corresponding holiness in the congregation. The camp's purity was not primarily about disease prevention but about maintaining proper reverence for God's dwelling among Israel. This anticipates the New Testament teaching that believers' bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), requiring personal holiness.