King James Version

What Does Numbers 19:20 Mean?

Numbers 19:20 in the King James Version says “But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation,... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean.

Numbers 19:20 · KJV


Context

18

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:

19

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.

20

But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean.

21

And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even.

22

And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse pronounces judgment on willful uncleanness: the defiled person who refuses purification 'shall be cut off from among the congregation.' The Hebrew emphasizes deliberate refusal - knowing the remedy yet rejecting it. This foreshadows the unforgivable sin: not that any sin is too great for God's grace, but that persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit's conviction removes one from the means of grace (Heb 6:4-6, 10:26-29). The pollution affects the entire sanctuary because God dwells among His people, and unholiness cannot coexist with His presence.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This law maintained Israel's corporate holiness during the wilderness journey. Unlike accidental uncleanness (which the purification ritual addressed), deliberate persistence in impurity showed contempt for the covenant. The community's survival depended on maintaining God's presence among them, making this excommunication necessary for the congregation's protection.

Reflection Questions

  1. Are there areas where you're knowingly avoiding God's cleansing, preferring the comfort of familiar sin?
  2. How does understanding that your sin affects the entire body of Christ motivate you toward holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְאִ֤ישׁ1 of 22

But the man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁר2 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

טִמֵּ֗א3 of 22

because he hath defiled

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

וְלֹ֣א4 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִתְחַטָּ֔א5 of 22

and shall not purify

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה6 of 22

shall be cut off

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ7 of 22

himself that soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

הַהִ֖וא8 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מִתּ֣וֹךְ9 of 22

from among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הַקָּהָ֑ל10 of 22

the congregation

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

כִּי֩11 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֶת12 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִקְדַּ֨שׁ13 of 22

the sanctuary

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

יְהוָ֜ה14 of 22

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

טִמֵּ֗א15 of 22

because he hath defiled

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

מֵ֥י16 of 22

the water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

נִדָּ֛ה17 of 22

of separation

H5079

properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)

לֹֽא18 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

זֹרַ֥ק19 of 22

hath not been sprinkled

H2236

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

עָלָ֖יו20 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

טָמֵ֥א21 of 22

upon him he is unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense

הֽוּא׃22 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 19:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 19:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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