Numbers 8:7
And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.
Original Language Analysis
וְכֹֽה
H3541
וְכֹֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
תַעֲשֶׂ֤ה
And thus shalt thou do
H6213
תַעֲשֶׂ֤ה
And thus shalt thou do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְהִטֶּהָֽרוּ׃
and so make themselves clean
H2891
וְהִטֶּהָֽרוּ׃
and so make themselves clean
Strong's:
H2891
Word #:
4 of 16
to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
הַזֵּ֥ה
them Sprinkle
H5137
הַזֵּ֥ה
them Sprinkle
Strong's:
H5137
Word #:
5 of 16
to spirt, i.e., besprinkle (especially in expiation)
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
חַטָּ֑את
of purifying
H2403
חַטָּ֑את
of purifying
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
8 of 16
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
וְהֶֽעֱבִ֤ירוּ
H5674
וְהֶֽעֱבִ֤ירוּ
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
9 of 16
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
תַ֙עַר֙
upon them and let them shave
H8593
תַ֙עַר֙
upon them and let them shave
Strong's:
H8593
Word #:
10 of 16
a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e., empty)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּשָׂרָ֔ם
all their flesh
H1320
בְּשָׂרָ֔ם
all their flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
13 of 16
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
וְכִבְּס֥וּ
and let them wash
H3526
וְכִבְּס֥וּ
and let them wash
Strong's:
H3526
Word #:
14 of 16
to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative
Cross References
Leviticus 8:6And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.Numbers 19:13Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.
Historical Context
The Levitical consecration (Numbers 8:5-22) occurred after the tabernacle's completion and before Israel's wilderness march began. Unlike priests (Aaron's line) who were anointed, Levites were ceremonially cleansed and presented as living offerings. This distinction separated high priestly ministry (intercession, sacrifice) from Levitical service (tabernacle maintenance, worship assistance).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the threefold cleansing (water, shaving, washing) symbolize the comprehensive nature of God's sanctification work in believers?
- What does the Levites' role as 'cleansed servants' rather than 'anointed priests' teach about different callings within the body of Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Sprinkle water of purifying upon them (הַזֵּה עֲלֵיהֶם מֵי חַטָּאת, hazzeh aleyhem mey ḥatta't)—Mey ḥatta't (waters of sin/purification) refers to water mixed with ashes of the red heifer (Numbers 19). Hizzah (to sprinkle) was a ritual cleansing act symbolizing removal of defilement. Let them shave all their flesh (וְהֶעֱבִירוּ תַעַר עַל־כָּל־בְּשָׂרָם, veha'aviru ta'ar al-kol-besaram)—total shaving signified complete renewal, shedding the old self.
Let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean (וְכִבְּסוּ בִגְדֵיהֶם וְהִטֶּהָרוּ, vechivsu vigdeyhem vehittaharu)—Kibes (to wash) and taher (to be clean, pure) complete the threefold purification: water, shaving, laundering. This consecration ritual prefigures Christian baptism (Titus 3:5, 'washing of regeneration') and the comprehensive cleansing Christ provides (Ephesians 5:26, washing with water by the word).