King James Version

What Does Numbers 19:7 Mean?

Numbers 19:7 in the King James Version says “Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.”

Numbers 19:7 · KJV

Context

5

And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn:

6

And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet , and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.

7

Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.

8

And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even.

9

And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.

Read Numbers 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The priest who conducted the ceremony became unclean until evening despite his holy service. This paradox—the purifying agent contaminating those who handle it—reveals that Old Covenant rituals could not permanently resolve death's pollution. Christ alone, as priest who offered Himself, remained undefiled while bearing our uncleanness (Hebrews 7:26).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This temporary contamination applied to everyone involved in the ritual (verses 7-10), demonstrating the inadequacy of the system itself. The best Old Covenant provisions couldn't fully remove death's taint; they only provided temporary, ceremonial cleansing pointing to something better.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the limitations of Old Covenant rituals help you appreciate New Covenant realities?
  2. What does Christ's remaining undefiled while bearing sin teach about His unique nature?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְכִבֶּ֨ס1 of 14

“shall wash”

H3526

to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative

בְּגָדָ֜יו2 of 14

“his clothes”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

הַכֹּהֵ֖ן3 of 14

“Then the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְרָחַ֤ץ4 of 14

“and he shall bathe”

H7364

to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)

בְּשָׂרוֹ֙5 of 14

“his flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

בַּמַּ֔יִם6 of 14

“in water”

H4325

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

וְאַחַ֖ר7 of 14

“and afterward”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

יָבֹ֣א8 of 14

“he shall come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל9 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה10 of 14

“into the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וְטָמֵ֥א11 of 14

“shall be unclean”

H2930

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

הַכֹּהֵ֖ן12 of 14

“Then the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

עַד13 of 14
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הָעָֽרֶב׃14 of 14

“until the even”

H6153

dusk

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 19:7 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 19:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 11:25Leviticus 14:8-9Numbers 19:8Leviticus 16:26-28Leviticus 22:6Leviticus 15:5

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