Numbers 19:11-16

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

John Gill

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 19:12

He shall purify himself with it ,.... That is, with the ashes of the water of purification made of them: and this was to be done first on the third day ; from the time of his touching the dead body. Aben Ezra intimates, that there is a secret or mystery in this and the following number seven; it may respect the third day of Christ's resurrection, who, as he shed his blood for the expiation and purification of sinners, so he rose again the third day for the justification of them: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 19:13

Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself ,.... With the ashes of the heifer, or water of purification, and so neglects the means which God has appointed for his cleansing: defileth the tabernacle of the Lord ; that is, if he goes into it in his uncleanness, which it was not lawful for him to do: from the Jews the Assyrians seem to have borrowed some customs of theirs, as related by Lucian F18 De Dea Syria. , who upon burying a dead cock... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 19:14

This is the law when a man dieth in a tent ,.... A tent is only mentioned, because the Israelites now dwelt in tents, as Aben Ezra remarks; otherwise the law holds equally good of an house as of a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days ; the meaning of which is, that all persons that come into a tent or house where a dead body is are equally unclean as those that were in it when it died; and the same is to be supposed of all vessels... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 19:15

And every open vessel ,.... An earthen one, as the Targum of Jonathan; and so Jarchi interprets it; and Maimonides F18 In Misn. Cholin, c. 1. sect. 6. observes, that this is only to be understood of an earthen vessel: which hath no covering bound upon it ; a linen or a woollen cloth wrapped and tied about it: is unclean ; the air of the house getting into it by its being uncovered. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 19:16

And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields ,.... That is killed by another, that dies a violent death, either by the sword or other means; one that touched such an one was unclean, or that touched the sword with which he was slain, as the Targum of Jonathan adds: "or a dead body": that dies a natural death, or suddenly, or in any way: or a bone off a man ; dug out of a grave, and lying by itself: or a grave ; the Targum adds, either the covering or side... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 19:11

He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days - How low does this lay man! He who touched a dead beast was only unclean for one day, Leviticus 11:24 , Leviticus 11:27 , Leviticus 11:39 ; but he who touches a dead man is unclean for seven days. This was certainly designed to mark the peculiar impurity of man, and to show his sinfulness - seven times worse than the vilest animal! O thou son of the morning, how art thou fallen! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 19:12

He shall purify himself with it - בו יתחטא yithchatta bo , literally, he shall sin himself with it. This Hebrew form of speech is common enough among us in other matters. Thus to fleece, to bark, and to skin, do not signify to add a fleece, another bark, or a skin, but to take one away; therefore, to sin himself, in the Hebrew idiom, is not to add sin, but to take it away, to purify. The verb חטא chata signifies to miss the mark, to sin, to purify from sin, and to make a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 19:11

Verse 11 11.He that toucheth the dead body. He now recites certain forms of pollution in which the washing was necessary; all of them, however, come to the point, that men are defiled by the touch of a corpse or, bones, or a grave. Nor is there here any distinction between the body of a person who is slain, or of one who has died in bed; whence it follows that death is here set forth as a mirror of God’s curse: And assuredly, if we consider its origin and cause, the corruption of nature,... read more

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