Numbers 5:2

KJV

Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead:

KJV (with Strong's)

Command {H6680} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, that they put out {H7971} of the camp {H4264} every leper {H6879}, and every one that hath an issue {H2100}, and whosoever is defiled {H2931} by the dead {H5315}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"Order the people of Isra'el to expel from the camp everyone with tzara'at, everyone with a discharge and whoever is unclean because of touching a corpse.

Berean Standard Bible

“Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone with a skin disease, anyone who has a bodily discharge, and anyone who is defiled by a dead body.

American Standard Version

Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is unclean by the dead:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:2 introduces a crucial divine directive for the Israelite community, immediately following the meticulous organization of the tribes around the Tabernacle. This verse mandates the removal of individuals afflicted with leprosy, bodily discharges, or ritual impurity from contact with a corpse, thereby ensuring the ritual purity and sanctity of the camp where God's holy presence resided. These regulations underscore the absolute necessity of maintaining an environment commensurate with the dwelling of the Almighty in their midst, reflecting His inherent holiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:2 initiates a significant section (Numbers 5:1-10) dedicated to the purification of the Israelite camp. This command directly follows the extensive enumeration and precise arrangement of the tribes and the detailed assignments of the Levites around the Tabernacle (Numbers 1-4). Having established the physical order and the sacred centrality of God's dwelling, the narrative now shifts to address the **spiritual and ritual purity** essential for such a holy habitation. This directive for exclusion sets the stage for subsequent laws concerning restitution for wrongs (Numbers 5:5-10) and the ordeal of jealousy (Numbers 5:11-31), all of which contribute to the internal order, justice, and sanctity of a community living in intimate proximity to God's presence. The strategic placement of this verse emphasizes that divine order extends beyond mere physical arrangement to encompass ritual and moral cleanliness, which are foundational for maintaining fellowship with a holy God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this point in their history, the Israelites were encamped in the wilderness, having recently consecrated the Tabernacle as the tangible dwelling place of Yahweh among them. While many ancient Near Eastern cultures possessed concepts of ritual purity and impurity, often linked to cultic practices or natural phenomena, Israel's system was distinct. Its uniqueness lay in its direct connection to the absolute holiness of Yahweh, who was actively and uniquely present in their midst. The conditions specified—leprosy (a broad term for various severe skin diseases, not exclusively modern Hansen's disease, extensively detailed in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases")), bodily discharges (such as those described in [Leviticus 15](/leviticus/15 "Leviticus 15 - Laws Concerning Bodily Discharges")), and defilement by the dead (comprehensively covered in [Numbers 19](/numbers/19 "Numbers 19 - Laws Concerning the Red Heifer and Defilement by the Dead"))—were not inherently moral failings. Instead, they represented states of ritual uncleanness that rendered an individual temporarily unfit to be in the immediate proximity of God's holiness or to participate in communal worship. This temporary exclusion served as a protective measure, safeguarding the sanctity of the camp and, by extension, the entire community from the defiling effects of impurity, which could otherwise provoke divine displeasure. It also provided a crucial, albeit rudimentary, public health function for a densely populated encampment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **God's Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing that the presence of a holy God necessitates a holy people and a holy space. The meticulous regulations underscore the vast chasm between divine perfection and human imperfection, and the need for divine provision to bridge that gap. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Order and Structure** within the Israelite community, demonstrating that God's divine order extends beyond tribal arrangement to encompass the internal ritual purity of His people. The exclusion laws also subtly introduce the theme of **Atonement and Restoration**, as these conditions of impurity were temporary, with pathways for cleansing and reintegration into the community, foreshadowing God's ultimate provision for sin. Finally, the verse reinforces the concept of **Separation**, not merely for physical health, but primarily for spiritual distinction, teaching Israel to be set apart for Yahweh, as reiterated in passages like [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Command (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_ - H6680):** This primitive root signifies "to constitute, enjoin." In this context, it emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the instruction. It is not a suggestion but a direct, binding imperative from God through Moses, establishing a non-negotiable law for the entire Israelite community.
* **Leper (Hebrew, _tsâraʻ'_ - H6879):** Derived from a primitive root meaning "to scourge," this term refers to the state of being "stricken with leprosy." In the Mosaic Law, _tsaraʻath_ encompassed a range of severe and often chronic skin conditions, not solely modern Hansen's disease. It was considered a particularly potent source of ritual impurity, requiring strict isolation and elaborate cleansing rituals, symbolizing a state of decay and separation from the life and wholeness associated with God's presence.
* **Defiled (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_ - H2931):** This word, derived from its root, means "foul in a religious sense; defiled." It describes a state of ritual impurity that rendered an individual unfit for participation in sacred activities or proximity to the Tabernacle. This defilement was not necessarily moral sin but a state incompatible with the absolute holiness of God, requiring purification for restoration to the community and divine favor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Command the children of Israel":** This opening phrase establishes the divine authority behind the instruction. It is a direct, non-negotiable imperative from Yahweh Himself, relayed through Moses, to the entire covenant community, underscoring the universal applicability and importance of the command for all generations of Israel.
* **"that they put out of the camp":** This clause specifies the action required: a physical, temporary exclusion from the immediate vicinity of the Tabernacle and the general Israelite encampment. The purpose was not punitive banishment but a necessary separation to prevent the spread of ritual impurity and to meticulously preserve the sanctity of the camp, which served as God's hallowed dwelling place among His people.
* **"every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead":** This enumeration identifies the three primary categories of individuals who, due to their state of ritual impurity, required immediate removal from the holy camp. Each condition, in its unique way, represented a deviation from the ideal state of life, wholeness, and purity that God embodied, thus rendering individuals temporarily unfit for direct fellowship within the consecrated space.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Enumeration** by explicitly listing the three distinct categories of individuals to be excluded, ensuring clarity, precision, and comprehensiveness in the divine command. This direct listing emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the purity laws. **Symbolism** is profoundly at play, where the physical conditions of impurity (leprosy, bodily discharges, and contact with death) serve as potent symbols of spiritual separation from God's perfect life, holiness, and vitality. The "camp" itself functions as a central **Symbol** of God's holy dwelling place, a microcosm of His presence on earth, which demands utmost purity and reverence. The act of "putting out" serves as a **Metonymy** for the broader principle of maintaining sanctity and removing anything that might compromise or defile the sacred space where God resides among His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:2 profoundly illustrates God's absolute holiness and His unwavering demand for purity from His people, especially when He condescends to dwell in their midst. The physical separation of the ritually unclean from the camp was a tangible, pedagogical expression of the spiritual truth that sin and defilement create a barrier between humanity and a holy God. This Old Covenant principle, rooted in the very character of Yahweh, foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on spiritual purity, where believers are called to be holy because God is holy, and the Church, as the corporate body of Christ, is now the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The temporary exclusion was not primarily a judgment of moral failing but a necessary measure to protect the sanctity of the community and the integrity of their relationship with God, teaching them profound reverence for His majestic presence and the gravity of anything that would defile it.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Call to Holiness")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual laws of Numbers 5:2 belong to the Old Covenant and find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the underlying principles of holiness, purity, and separation from defilement remain profoundly relevant for believers today. As the Church, we are the spiritual "camp" where God's Spirit dwells, and individually, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This profound truth calls us to a spiritual discernment and discipline, recognizing that moral and spiritual impurities can hinder our fellowship with God, diminish our spiritual vitality, and compromise the witness of the community to a watching world. We are not called to physically exclude those who are "unclean" in a ritual sense, but rather to strive for personal and corporate holiness, confessing and repenting of sin, and separating ourselves from influences, attitudes, and behaviors that defile our hearts and minds. This involves a continuous, Spirit-led process of sanctification, allowing God's Word and the Holy Spirit to cleanse us and transform us into the image of Christ, reflecting God's purity in our thoughts, words, and deeds.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's holy presence in the Israelite camp challenge my understanding of His presence in my life and in the church today?**
* **What "spiritual defilements" (e.g., unconfessed sin, ungodly attitudes, worldly influences, unbiblical ideologies) might I need to "put out of the camp" of my life to better reflect God's holiness?**
* **In what ways can our local church community, as a spiritual "camp," strive for greater corporate spiritual purity, unity, and reverence for God's dwelling among us?**

### FAQ
**Was this exclusion permanent, or was there a way back into the camp for those who were put out?**

Answer: The exclusion mandated by Numbers 5:2 was temporary, not a permanent banishment. The Mosaic Law meticulously provided specific rituals and procedures for purification that allowed individuals to be restored to the community and re-enter the camp once they were ritually clean. For instance, a leper, once healed, underwent a detailed purification ceremony involving priestly examination and sacrifices, as outlined in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing Lepers"). Similarly, those with bodily issues had specific waiting periods and ritual washings (e.g., [Leviticus 15](/leviticus/15 "Leviticus 15 - Laws Concerning Bodily Discharges")), and contact with the dead required a seven-day purification process involving the ashes of the red heifer, as detailed in [Numbers 19](/numbers/19 "Numbers 19 - Laws Concerning the Red Heifer and Defilement by the Dead"). The emphasis was consistently on restoration to the community and to a state fit for God's presence, highlighting God's desire for His people to be clean and in fellowship with Him.

**Did these laws imply that those with these conditions were "sinful" or morally inferior?**

Answer: No, not necessarily. Ritual impurity, as described in Numbers 5:2 and throughout the Mosaic Law, was distinct from moral sin. While some impurities could be a direct result of sin (e.g., a deliberate transgression), many were involuntary or a natural part of human life (e.g., childbirth, menstruation, accidental contact with a corpse). Being ritually unclean meant being in a state that was incompatible with the absolute holiness of God's presence, making one temporarily unfit for participation in sacred activities or proximity to the Tabernacle. It did not inherently signify moral failing, divine judgment on an individual's character, or that they were despised by God. The primary purpose was to maintain the sanctity of the camp and to deeply impress upon the Israelites the nature of God's holiness and the necessary separation required between the sacred and the profane, for the preservation of the covenant relationship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 5:2, with its stark command for the exclusion of the ritually unclean from the holy camp, powerfully foreshadows the profound and transformative work of Jesus Christ. In the Old Covenant, defilement led to separation from God's visible presence in the camp; in the New Covenant, Jesus Himself, the Holy One of God, entered into the very midst of human defilement. He did not maintain distance from the "unclean" but actively engaged with them: He touched lepers, making them clean ([Mark 1:40-42](/mark/1-40-42 "Mark 1:40-42 - Jesus Cleanses a Leper")); He healed those with chronic issues, like the woman with a hemorrhage, who touched Him and received healing without defiling Him, but rather receiving His purity ([Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25-34 "Mark 5:25-34 - Jesus Heals a Woman with a Hemorrhage")); and He even raised the dead, demonstrating His ultimate power over the very source of impurity and death ([John 11:43-44](/john/11-43-44 "John 11:43-44 - Jesus Raises Lazarus")). Unlike the Old Testament priests who became unclean by contact with the defiled, Jesus' holiness was so potent and intrinsic that He imparted purity to those He touched. He became the ultimate sacrifice, bearing our spiritual sin and defilement on the cross, so that we, who were spiritually unclean and separated from God by our transgressions ([Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your Sins Have Separated You")), could be cleansed by His precious blood ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Jesus' Blood")) and brought into intimate, unhindered fellowship with a holy God. Through Christ, the barriers of impurity are removed, and we are made holy, becoming part of God's new spiritual "camp," the Church, where His Spirit now dwells within believers without the need for physical exclusion, for "in Him we live and move and have our being" ([Acts 17:28](/acts/17-28 "Acts 17:28 - In Him We Live")).

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

Leviticus 13:46

All the days wherein the plague [shall be] in him he shall be defiled; he [is] unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp [shall] his habitation [be].

Leviticus 21:1

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:

Numbers 12:14

And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in [again].

Numbers 9:6

And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:

Numbers 9:10

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or [be] in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD.

Numbers 31:19

And do ye abide without the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person, and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify [both] yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day.

Leviticus 15:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, [because of] his issue he [is] unclean.