Numbers 6:11
And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for that he sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day.
Original Language Analysis
וְעָשָׂ֣ה
shall offer
H6213
וְעָשָׂ֣ה
shall offer
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 17
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְאֶחָ֣ד
and the other
H259
וְאֶחָ֣ד
and the other
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
לְחַטָּאת֙
for a sin offering
H2403
לְחַטָּאת֙
for a sin offering
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
4 of 17
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
וְאֶחָ֣ד
and the other
H259
וְאֶחָ֣ד
and the other
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
לְעֹלָ֔ה
for a burnt offering
H5930
לְעֹלָ֔ה
for a burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
6 of 17
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְכִפֶּ֣ר
and make an atonement
H3722
וְכִפֶּ֣ר
and make an atonement
Strong's:
H3722
Word #:
7 of 17
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
עָלָ֔יו
H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מֵֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
for him for that
H834
מֵֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
for him for that
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
חָטָ֖א
he sinned
H2398
חָטָ֖א
he sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנָּ֑פֶשׁ
by the dead
H5315
הַנָּ֑פֶשׁ
by the dead
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְקִדַּ֥שׁ
and shall hallow
H6942
וְקִדַּ֥שׁ
and shall hallow
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
13 of 17
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֹאשׁ֖וֹ
his head
H7218
רֹאשׁ֖וֹ
his head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
15 of 17
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
Historical Context
This law distinguishes ceremonial impurity from moral guilt. The Nazirite had not sinned morally by being near unexpected death, yet ceremonial defilement required atonement. This shows that holiness in God's presence requires more than moral innocence—it demands ritual purity provided only through blood sacrifice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the need for atonement even for unintentional defilement reveal sin's pervasiveness?
- What is the relationship between ceremonial purity and moral righteousness?
- How does Christ's blood provide complete cleansing for all impurity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The priest making atonement 'for his sin which he hath sinned by the dead' reveals that ceremonial defilement required sacrificial atonement, not mere washing. The Hebrew kipper (make atonement/cover) indicates substitutionary blood payment. Even though defilement was unintentional, it required priestly mediation and blood sacrifice. This teaches that all impurity before God—intentional or not—requires atonement, anticipating Christ's blood that cleanses all sin (1 John 1:7). Mere human effort cannot remove defilement; only priestly mediation through blood suffices.