Numbers 31:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And purify all [your] raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' [hair], and all things made of wood.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Also purify every garment, whether of skin or goat's hair, and everything made of wood."

Berean Standard Bible:

And purify every garment and leather good, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.”

American Standard Version:

And as to every garment, and all that is made of skin, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood, ye shall purify yourselves.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And purify^{H2398} all your raiment^{H899}, and all that is made^{H3627} of skins^{H5785}, and all work^{H4639} of goats^{H5795}' hair, and all things made^{H3627} of wood^{H6086}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 31:20

1. Themes:
- Ritual Purity: The verse emphasizes the importance of purity in the Israelite camp, particularly concerning items used in everyday life, such as clothing and utensils. The purification process is essential for maintaining the sanctity of the community as they prepare to interact with the sacred.
- Separation from Sin: The act of purification symbolizes a separation from sin and defilement, ensuring that the people are spiritually fit to serve God and receive His blessings.
- Preparation for Re-entry: This command comes after a military campaign against the Midianites, indicating a transition from a state of war (which could involve ritual impurity) back to a state of peace and religious observance within the community.

2. Historical Context:
- The book of Numbers recounts the events in the wilderness as the Israelites journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. Numbers 31 describes the Israelites' battle against the Midianites, a conflict instigated by the Midianites' role in seducing the Israelites into idolatry and immorality (as seen in the previous chapter).
- Following the victory, the Israelites are instructed by God, through Moses, on how to purify themselves and their belongings. This purification process is crucial because contact with dead bodies or participation in war could render the people ritually impure.
- The specific items mentioned (raiment, skins, goats' hair, and wooden objects) were common in the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites and could have been exposed to corpse impurity during the battle. The purification instructions are thus practical for the context of the time, ensuring that the returning warriors and their belongings are cleansed according to God's laws.

In summary, Numbers 31:20 reflects the theme of maintaining ritual purity in the Israelite community, which is essential for their spiritual well-being and ability to live in God's presence. The historical context is the period of wilderness wanderings, where the Israelites are learning to balance their military endeavors with their religious identity and obligations.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2398
   There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָטָא
   Transliteration: châṭâʼ
   Pronunciation: khaw-taw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn; bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass.
   
2. Strong's Number: H899
   There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֶּגֶד
   Transliteration: beged
   Pronunciation: behg'-ed
   Description: from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5785
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עוֹר
   Transliteration: ʻôwr
   Pronunciation: ore
   Description: from עוּר; skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather; hide, leather, skin.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4639
   There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַעֲשֶׂה
   Transliteration: maʻăseh
   Pronunciation: mah-as-eh'
   Description: from עָשָׂה; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property; act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5795
   There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵז
   Transliteration: ʻêz
   Pronunciation: aze
   Description: from עָזַז; a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair); (she) goat, kid.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6086
   There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵץ
   Transliteration: ʻêts
   Pronunciation: ates
   Description: from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.