Numbers 31:24

And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp.

And ye shall wash {H3526} your clothes {H899} on the seventh {H7637} day {H3117}, and ye shall be clean {H2891}, and afterward {H310} ye shall come {H935} into the camp {H4264}.

On the seventh day you are to wash your clothes, and you will be clean; after that you may enter the camp."

On the seventh day you are to wash your clothes, and you will be clean. After that you may enter the camp.”

And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean; and afterward ye shall come into the camp.

Commentary

Numbers 31:24 is part of the detailed instructions given to the Israelites for purification following their victorious war against the Midianites. This verse specifically addresses the soldiers and those who handled the spoils of war, outlining a crucial step for their re-entry into the holy camp.

Context

After a decisive victory over the Midianites, where many were slain and much spoil taken, Moses and Eleazar the priest provided specific divine commands for ceremonial cleansing. The immediate context of this verse, along with Numbers 31:23, deals with the purification of both people and items that had come into contact with the dead or had been part of a pagan culture. The Israelite camp was considered a holy space because the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's presence, resided within it. Therefore, strict adherence to laws of ritual purity was essential to maintain the sanctity of the community and prevent defilement.

Key Themes

  • Ritual Purity and Holiness: The primary theme is the necessity of ritual purity before one could approach God's holy presence or dwell within the sacred community. The act of washing clothes was a visible sign of an internal and external cleansing process.
  • Obedience and Separation: God commanded specific actions for cleansing, emphasizing that His people must be distinct and separate from the defilement of the surrounding nations. This highlights the importance of obedience to divine instructions.
  • The Significance of the Seventh Day: The instruction to wash on the "seventh day" points to a complete cycle of purification, often associated with the Sabbath rest and the culmination of a cleansing period. It underscored the thoroughness required for ceremonial cleanliness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "clean" here is tahor (טהור), which refers not just to physical cleanliness but specifically to ritual or ceremonial purity. It signifies a state of being consecrated or permissible to enter into sacred space or activities. The "camp" (Hebrew: machaneh) was more than just a military encampment; it was the dwelling place of God's chosen people, where His glory manifested through the Tabernacle.

Practical Application

While the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament were fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind them remain profoundly relevant for believers today. Just as the ancient Israelites needed to be ritually clean to enter the camp, believers are called to spiritual purity to draw near to God. This verse reminds us:

  • The Need for Cleansing: Our sin defiles us, making us unfit for God's holy presence. The good news is that through the blood of Jesus Christ, we are cleansed from all sin and made righteous before God.
  • Ongoing Sanctification: Our spiritual walk involves an ongoing process of purification, where we continually confess our sins and seek to live in holiness (1 John 1:9).
  • Respect for God's Holiness: The detailed commands for purity underscore the profound holiness of God. We are called to live lives that reflect His character and honor His presence in us and among us.
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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 11:25 (4 votes)

    And whosoever beareth [ought] of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.

  • Leviticus 15:13 (2 votes)

    And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

  • Numbers 19:19 (2 votes)

    And the clean [person] shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even.

  • Leviticus 14:9 (2 votes)

    But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.