John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 19:11
He that toucheth the dead body of any man ,.... A man and not a beast, as Aben Ezra observes; for he that touched the dead body of a beast was unclean only until evening, Leviticus 11:24 ; any man, Jew or Gentile, as the same writer notes: this is instanced in, as being the principal pollution, though not the only one, yet so some think, for which the water of purification made of the ashes of the burnt heifer was appointed: shall be unclean seven days ; the reason of which is, because... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 19:11-22
Directions are here given concerning the use and application of the ashes which were prepared for purification. they were laid up to be laid out; and therefore, though now one place would serve to keep them in, while all Israel lay so closely encamped, yet it is probable that afterwards, when they came to Canaan, some of these ashes were kept in every town, for there would be daily use for them. Observe, I. In what cases there needed a purification with these ashes. No other is mentioned here... read more