Numbers 19:18

KJV

And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip [it] in the water, and sprinkle [it] upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:

KJV (with Strong's)

And a clean {H2889} person {H376} shall take {H3947} hyssop {H231}, and dip {H2881} it in the water {H4325}, and sprinkle {H5137} it upon the tent {H168}, and upon all the vessels {H3627}, and upon the persons {H5315} that were there, and upon him that touched {H5060} a bone {H6106}, or one slain {H2491}, or one dead {H4191}, or a grave {H6913}:

Complete Jewish Bible

A clean person is to take a bunch of hyssop leaves, dip it in the water and sprinkle it on the tent, on all the containers, on the people who were there, and on the person who touched the bone or the person killed or the one who died naturally or the grave.

Berean Standard Bible

Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, or a person who has died or been slain.

American Standard Version

and a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched the bone, or the slain, or the dead, or the grave:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 19:18 delineates a critical phase in the purification ritual for individuals and objects defiled by contact with a corpse, as mandated by the Mosaic Law. It precisely describes how a ritually clean individual is to employ hyssop to apply the "water of separation"—a potent mixture containing the ashes of the red heifer—to the defiled persons, their dwelling, and their possessions. This meticulously prescribed process was indispensable for restoring ritual purity, thereby enabling the defiled to re-enter the holy community and participate in sacred worship, profoundly underscoring both the severe nature of death-impurity and God's gracious provision for cleansing within the covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 19:18 is an integral component of the detailed legislation concerning purification from corpse-impurity, meticulously laid out in [Numbers 19](/numbers/19 "Numbers 19 - The Red Heifer Ritual"). This chapter immediately follows a series of significant rebellions (Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and the subsequent murmuring against Moses and Aaron detailed in [Numbers 16-17](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16-17 - Rebellions and Aaron's Budding Staff")), which powerfully underscored the imperative for strict adherence to divine commands and the profound sanctity of the Tabernacle. The red heifer ritual, initiated by the unique sacrifice described in [Numbers 19:1-10](/numbers/19-1 "Numbers 19:1-10 - Preparation of the Red Heifer Ashes"), provides the indispensable "water of separation" necessary for cleansing. Verse 18 specifically details the application of this water on the third and seventh days of the purification process, following the initial defilement outlined in [Numbers 19:11-16](/numbers/19-11 "Numbers 19:11-16 - Rules for Corpse Impurity"), thereby ensuring a comprehensive and thorough cleansing for all affected by the pervasive impurity of death.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, contact with a dead body was considered the highest and most severe form of ritual impurity, rendering a person or object unclean for a period of seven days. This state was not a moral failing but a ritual condition that strictly prohibited participation in sacred activities and necessitated separation from the community, particularly from the Tabernacle, which symbolized God's holy presence. The understanding of death as the ultimate antithesis of life and purity stemmed from its profound association with sin and the Fall (as seen in [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "Genesis 2:17 - The Consequence of Disobedience")). The elaborate purification rites, including the unique red heifer sacrifice, were distinctive to Israel among ancient Near Eastern cultures, powerfully emphasizing God's absolute holiness and His fervent desire for His people to maintain a state of ritual readiness for His divine presence. The use of hyssop, a common plant found in the region, was also consistently employed in other significant purification rites, such as the cleansing of lepers ([Leviticus 14:4](/leviticus/14-4 "Leviticus 14:4 - Cleansing a Leper")) and the application of the Passover blood ([Exodus 12:22](/exodus/12-22 "Exodus 12:22 - Passover Blood Application")), highlighting its established role as an instrument of ritual cleansing.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching and profound theme pervading [Numbers 19](/numbers/19 "Numbers 19 - The Red Heifer Ritual") and particularly illuminated in verse 18 is the inherent and irreconcilable tension between **Divine Holiness and Human Impurity**. God's holy presence dwelling among His people necessitated stringent protocols for maintaining purity, as any defilement could directly threaten the sanctity of the Tabernacle and potentially invite divine judgment. This verse vividly highlights **God's Gracious Provision for Cleansing**, demonstrating His profound mercy in establishing a divinely ordained means for His people to be restored to ritual purity, rather than remaining perpetually defiled. It underscores the **Seriousness of Death-Impurity**, viewing death not merely as a biological end but as the ultimate consequence of sin and therefore the most potent and pervasive source of defilement. Finally, the meticulous nature of the ritual emphasizes **Mediated Cleansing**, as a "clean person" acts as a crucial intermediary, applying the divinely ordained cleansing agent, thereby foreshadowing the ultimate and indispensable need for a mediator in spiritual purification (cf. [1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Clean (Hebrew, _ṭâhôwr'_):** This term signifies a state of ritual, physical, or moral purity. In the context of Numbers 19:18, it refers to a person who is ceremonially pure and thus qualified to handle and apply the sacred "water of separation." The emphasis is on the absence of defilement, particularly from death-impurity, highlighting the principle that purity must be conveyed by one who is already pure, reflecting God's absolute standard of holiness.
* **Hyssop (Hebrew, _ʼêzôwb'_):** A small, bushy plant, likely *Origanum syriacum*, known for its absorbent qualities. Its consistent use in biblical purification rituals (e.g., [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases") for leprosy, [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover") for Passover) underscores its symbolic role as an instrument for applying a cleansing agent. Here, it facilitates the precise and ritualistic transfer of the "water of separation," symbolizing the means by which divine purity is conveyed to the defiled.
* **Water (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** In this specific context, "water" refers not to ordinary water but to the highly potent "water of separation" (*mei niddah* or *mei chata'ah*). This unique compound was prepared by mixing fresh spring water with the ashes of a sacrificed red heifer. It was imbued with a divinely appointed power to purify from the most severe form of ritual defilement—that caused by contact with a corpse. This specialized water signifies a divinely ordained means of atonement and cleansing, distinct from any natural cleansing properties.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip [it] in the water":** This opening clause establishes the necessary agent and the initial action of the purification ritual. The "clean person" (Hebrew: *ṭāhôr*) is one who is not currently in a state of ritual impurity, underscoring the theological principle that purity must be transferred by one who is already pure. The hyssop serves as the divinely appointed applicator, dipped into the "water of separation," thereby highlighting the specific, ritualistic, and non-negotiable nature of the cleansing agent.
* **"and sprinkle [it] upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there":** This clause meticulously specifies the comprehensive scope of the cleansing. The impurity of death was considered highly contagious, affecting not only individuals but also their dwelling places (the "tent") and all objects within their immediate proximity ("all the vessels"). The act of sprinkling (Hebrew: *nāzâ*) signifies a ritual application, not a thorough washing, indicating a symbolic transfer of purity and consecration rather than a physical removal of dirt or grime.
* **"and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave":** This final clause precisely enumerates the primary sources of defilement that necessitated this specific purification rite. Touching a "bone" (even a single fragment), a "slain" person (a corpse resulting from violence), a "dead" person (a corpse from natural causes), or a "grave" (a burial place, which inherently contained bones or a corpse) all rendered a person unclean. This comprehensive and exhaustive list underscores the severity and pervasive nature of death-impurity within the framework of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing that any contact with death, in any form, conveyed defilement.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 19:18 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the physical actions and elements represent deeper spiritual truths. The **hyssop** itself symbolizes an instrument of divine purification, specifically chosen for its capacity to apply cleansing. The "water of separation" is a highly potent symbol of **atonement and ritual purification**, distinct from ordinary water, signifying a divinely ordained means to overcome the profound defilement of death. The act of **sprinkling** is symbolic of ritual cleansing, consecration, and the transfer of purity, a recurring and significant motif throughout the Old Testament for various acts of purification and dedication. Furthermore, the meticulous enumeration of defiling agents ("a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave") employs **Merism** or **Synecdoche** to convey the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of death-impurity, indicating that any contact with death, in any form, rendered one unclean. This detailed specificity powerfully underscores the absolute nature of God's holiness and the pervasive, defiling impact of death on humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 19:18, as an integral part of the red heifer ritual, profoundly illustrates the Old Testament's unwavering emphasis on God's absolute holiness and the pervasive, defiling nature of sin's ultimate consequence: death. The meticulous and stringent requirements for purification from corpse-impurity underscore that defilement, even ritualistic, created a tangible separation between individuals and the holy community, particularly from the sacred Tabernacle where God's presence dwelt. Yet, in a profound display of His gracious provision, God established a precise and effective means for restoration, thereby demonstrating His unwavering desire for fellowship with His people despite their fallen and defiled state. This ritual, though seemingly arcane to modern sensibilities, served as an indispensable pedagogical tool, deeply impressing upon Israel the gravity of sin and the absolute necessity of divine intervention for cleansing, thereby pointing forward to a more perfect, ultimate, and spiritual purification to come.

* [Leviticus 11:24-25](/leviticus/11-24 "Leviticus 11:24-25 - Impurity from Carcasses")
* [Psalm 51:7](/psalms/51-7 "Psalm 51:7 - Purge Me with Hyssop")
* [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Christ's Blood vs. Old Covenant Rituals")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the red heifer and hyssop sprinkling is no longer physically practiced by believers today, the timeless spiritual principles embedded within Numbers 19:18 remain profoundly relevant for our contemporary spiritual reflection and application. The Old Testament's meticulous attention to ritual purity, especially concerning the defilement of death, serves as a stark and powerful reminder of the pervasive and utterly defiling nature of sin. Just as physical contact with death rendered one unfit for sacred space and divine presence, so too does spiritual defilement—our inherent sinfulness and individual acts of transgression—create a chasm of separation between us and the holy presence of God. This verse challenges us to humbly acknowledge the profound seriousness of our own sin and our inherent, desperate need for divine cleansing. It powerfully prompts us to consider the divine provision for purification, recognizing that true and lasting cleansing is never self-generated or earned through human effort, but always originates from and comes through a divinely appointed means. We are called to embrace the liberating truth that God, in His infinite holiness and boundless grace, provides a way for us to be made clean and brought into intimate fellowship with Him, not through our own merit, but through His gracious and perfect design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of death-impurity in the Old Testament deepen your understanding of the pervasive nature of sin and its ultimate consequences?**
* **What does God's provision of a detailed purification ritual (like the red heifer) reveal about His character, particularly His holiness and His unwavering desire for fellowship with His people?**
* **In what specific ways do you currently experience spiritual "defilement" or separation from God, and how does this verse encourage you to seek God's cleansing and restoration?**
* **How does the concept of a "clean person" acting as an intermediary in this ritual powerfully point to our universal need for a divine mediator in our own spiritual cleansing and reconciliation with God?**

### FAQ

**Why was contact with a dead body considered so defiling in ancient Israel?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, contact with a dead body was considered the highest and most severe form of ritual impurity because death is the ultimate consequence of sin, introduced into the world through the Fall (as clearly articulated in [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "Genesis 2:17 - The Consequence of Disobedience") and profoundly elaborated in [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death")). God is the absolute source of all life, and anything associated with death was therefore seen as antithetical to His holy, life-giving presence. This impurity was not a moral failing or sin in itself, but a ritual state that rendered a person unfit to enter the Tabernacle or participate in sacred worship, thereby emphasizing the absolute holiness of God and the pervasive, defiling impact of sin on all creation. The meticulous purification rites, such as the one detailed in [Numbers 19](/numbers/19 "Numbers 19 - The Red Heifer Ritual"), underscored the sanctity of God's presence and the imperative need for His people to maintain ritual purity in order to dwell in His midst.

**What was the "water" mentioned in Numbers 19:18, and why was it so special?**

Answer: The "water" referred to in [Numbers 19:18](/numbers/19-18 "Numbers 19:18 - The Purification Ritual") was not ordinary water but the highly specialized and sacred "water of separation" (Hebrew: *mei niddah* or *mei chata'ah*). This unique ritual mixture was prepared by combining fresh spring water with the ashes of a perfectly unblemished red heifer that had been sacrificed outside the camp, as meticulously detailed in [Numbers 19:1-10](/numbers/19-1 "Numbers 19:1-10 - Preparation of the Red Heifer Ashes"). This water was profoundly special because it was divinely appointed as the sole means for cleansing from the severe impurity contracted by contact with a corpse. Its efficacy derived not from any inherent chemical property of the ashes or water, but solely from God's explicit command and His sovereign power to purify through this specific, symbolic ritual. It represented God's gracious provision for atonement and restoration from the deepest and most pervasive form of ritual defilement.

**How does the use of hyssop in this ritual connect to other biblical passages?**

Answer: The use of hyssop (Hebrew: *ezov*) in the purification ritual of [Numbers 19:18](/numbers/19-18 "Numbers 19:18 - The Purification Ritual") is highly significant because it appears in several other pivotal biblical contexts consistently related to cleansing, atonement, and protection. It was notably used to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to the doorposts in [Exodus 12:22](/exodus/12-22 "Exodus 12:22 - Hyssop at Passover"), symbolizing protection from death through applied blood. Hyssop was also specifically prescribed for the elaborate cleansing ritual of a leper in [Leviticus 14:4-7](/leviticus/14-4 "Leviticus 14:4-7 - Hyssop in Leprosy Cleansing"), where it was used to sprinkle both blood and water. Perhaps most famously, King David, in his heartfelt prayer of repentance after his grievous sin with Bathsheba, cries out, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" ([Psalm 51:7](/psalms/51-7 "Psalm 51:7 - David's Prayer for Cleansing")). In each of these profound instances, hyssop consistently serves as the humble yet crucial instrument for applying a divinely appointed cleansing agent, whether blood or water, to effect profound purification, protection, and restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 19:18, with its meticulous details for cleansing from the profound defilement of death, finds its ultimate, perfect, and eternal fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "water of separation," prepared from the ashes of a sacrificed red heifer, was a temporary and symbolic means of purification, intrinsically unable to truly cleanse the conscience or permanently remove the deep stain of sin. It served as a powerful type and shadow, foreshadowing the infinitely superior and once-for-all sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus Christ. Just as physical contact with death brought profound ritual impurity, so too does sin bring spiritual death and an absolute separation from the holy God. However, Christ, through the shedding of His precious blood on the cross, offers a cleansing that is not merely ritualistic or external but profoundly transformative, purifying our consciences from "dead works to serve the living God" ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The "clean person" who applied the water of separation points to Christ Himself, who is perfectly pure, without sin, and through whom all true and lasting cleansing comes. He is the ultimate mediator, who, by His one perfect sacrifice, has "perfected forever those who are being sanctified" ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). The temporary, external cleansing of the Old Covenant rituals finds its glorious and permanent reality in the internal, spiritual cleansing wrought by Christ's finished work, enabling all believers to draw near to a holy God with absolute confidence and a true heart ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 36:25

¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Ezekiel 36:27

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

Hebrews 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

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.

Psalms 51:7

¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

John 17:17

¶ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 17:19

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.