Numbers 19:21 - It shall be a perpetual statute to them. He who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and he who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Numbers 19:21" mean?
Numbers 19 deals with the ritual of purification using the ashes of a red heifer mixed with water. This ritual was intended to cleanse people who had come into contact with a dead body, which was considered highly impure.
Here's a breakdown of verse 21:
"It shall be a perpetual statute to them." This signifies that the regulations outlined in this chapter regarding purification from impurity are a permanent law (statute) that the Israelites are obligated to observe throughout their generations.
"He who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes..." The person who performs the act of sprinkling the purification water (prepared with the ashes of the red heifer) is considered to have come into contact with impurity himself, even though he's the one performing the cleansing. Therefore, he must wash his clothes as a symbolic act of cleansing.
"...and he who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening." Similarly, anyone who touches the water for impurity (i.e., the purification water) becomes ritually unclean until the evening. This means they are prohibited from participating in sacred activities until the end of the day. The passage of time (until evening) represents a period of purification, after which they are considered clean again.
In essence, the verse highlights the paradoxical nature of this purification ritual:
Even the act of purifying others from impurity results in a temporary state of impurity for the person performing the ritual.
Contact with the purification water itself imparts a temporary state of uncleanness.
Underlying principles and significance:
The pervasive nature of impurity: The regulations underscore the powerful and easily transmittable nature of ritual impurity, especially that associated with death.
The cost of purity: The verse shows that even those involved in the act of purification bear a consequence. It indicates that maintaining purity is a constant and demanding task.
Symbolic Cleansing: The washing of clothes and waiting until evening symbolize a process of cleansing and separation from the impurity.
In summary: The verse emphasizes the permanence of the purification ritual, the contagious nature of ritual impurity, and the paradox that even those involved in purification are temporarily made impure in the process. It underlines the importance of adhering to the set procedures for maintaining ritual purity in the community.
Numbers 19:21 - It shall be a perpetual statute to them. He who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and he who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening.
What does "Numbers 19:21" mean?
Numbers 19 deals with the ritual of purification using the ashes of a red heifer mixed with water. This ritual was intended to cleanse people who had come into contact with a dead body, which was considered highly impure.
Here's a breakdown of verse 21:
"It shall be a perpetual statute to them." This signifies that the regulations outlined in this chapter regarding purification from impurity are a permanent law (statute) that the Israelites are obligated to observe throughout their generations.
"He who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes..." The person who performs the act of sprinkling the purification water (prepared with the ashes of the red heifer) is considered to have come into contact with impurity himself, even though he's the one performing the cleansing. Therefore, he must wash his clothes as a symbolic act of cleansing.
"...and he who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening." Similarly, anyone who touches the water for impurity (i.e., the purification water) becomes ritually unclean until the evening. This means they are prohibited from participating in sacred activities until the end of the day. The passage of time (until evening) represents a period of purification, after which they are considered clean again.
In essence, the verse highlights the paradoxical nature of this purification ritual:
Even the act of purifying others from impurity results in a temporary state of impurity for the person performing the ritual.
Contact with the purification water itself imparts a temporary state of uncleanness.
Underlying principles and significance:
The pervasive nature of impurity: The regulations underscore the powerful and easily transmittable nature of ritual impurity, especially that associated with death.
The cost of purity: The verse shows that even those involved in the act of purification bear a consequence. It indicates that maintaining purity is a constant and demanding task.
Symbolic Cleansing: The washing of clothes and waiting until evening symbolize a process of cleansing and separation from the impurity.
In summary: The verse emphasizes the permanence of the purification ritual, the contagious nature of ritual impurity, and the paradox that even those involved in purification are temporarily made impure in the process. It underlines the importance of adhering to the set procedures for maintaining ritual purity in the community.