King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And for an unclean [person] they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel:
Complete Jewish Bible:
"For the unclean person they are to take some of the ashes of the animal burned up as a purification from sin and add them to fresh water in a container.
Berean Standard Bible:
For the purification of the unclean person, take some of the ashes of the burnt sin offering, put them in a jar, and pour fresh water over them.
American Standard Version:
And for the unclean they shall take of the ashes of the burning of the sin-offering; and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And for an unclean{H2931} person they shall take{H3947} of the ashes{H6083} of the burnt heifer{H8316} of purification for sin{H2403}, and running{H2416} water{H4325} shall be put{H5414} thereto in a vessel{H3627}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Revelation 7:17
- For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Numbers 19:9
- And a man [that is] clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay [them] up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it [is] a purification for sin.
Genesis 26:19
- And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.
Song of Solomon 4:15
- ¶ A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.
John 7:38
- He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
John 4:10
- Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
John 4:11
- The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 19:17
Numbers 19:17 is a part of the instructions given to the Israelites concerning the ritual of the red heifer, also known as the "purification for sin" offering. This ritual is unique in that it is one of the few offerings in the Torah specifically designated for the purpose of purification from the ritual impurity contracted through contact with a dead body.
In the historical context of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, maintaining ritual purity was crucial for the community's relationship with God, especially as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The detailed instructions for the red heifer sacrifice, found in Numbers 19, are part of the broader legal framework provided by God to Moses and Aaron for the Israelite society.
The verse itself outlines the procedure for purifying an unclean person. The ashes of the completely red, unblemished heifer that had been burned outside the camp are mixed with "living" or "running" water. This mixture is then used to ceremonially cleanse individuals who have come into contact with death, which would otherwise render them ritually impure and unable to participate in the religious life of the community, including approaching the sanctuary.
The themes present in this verse include purity, sin, and the necessity of ritual observance to maintain a state of holiness before God. The use of the ashes of the burnt heifer symbolizes the removal of sin and death's contamination, while the living water represents purity and life. The ritual underscores the importance of physical and spiritual cleanliness in ancient Israelite religion and the belief that God provided a means to restore individuals to a state of ritual purity so they could fully engage in the worship and life of their community.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2931
There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טָמֵא
Transliteration: ṭâmêʼ
Pronunciation: taw-may'
Description: from טָמֵא; foul in a religious sense; defiled, [phrase] infamous, polluted(-tion), unclean. - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H6083
There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָפָר
Transliteration: ʻâphâr
Pronunciation: aw-fawr'
Description: from עָפַר; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud; ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. - Strong's Number: H8316
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׂרֵפָה
Transliteration: sᵉrêphâh
Pronunciation: ser-ay-faw'
Description: from שָׂרַף; cremation; burning. - Strong's Number: H2403
There are 272 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַטָּאָה
Transliteration: chaṭṭâʼâh
Pronunciation: khat-taw-aw'
Description: or חַטָּאת; from חָטָא; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender; punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering). - Strong's Number: H2416
There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַי
Transliteration: chay
Pronunciation: khah'-ee
Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H3627
There are 276 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּלִי
Transliteration: kᵉlîy
Pronunciation: kel-ee'
Description: from כָּלָה; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon); armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever.