King James Version
What Does Numbers 31:24 Mean?
“And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp.”
Numbers 31:24 · KJV
Context
22
Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
23
Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water.
24
And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp.
25
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
26
Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation: that: Heb. of the captivity
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryYe shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp—the Hebrew kabas (wash) indicates thorough laundering, not mere rinsing. The seventh day culminated the purification process that began on the third day (v.19), marking complete restoration to ritual purity. Only afterward (Hebrew achar) could warriors rejoin the camp—emphasizing that cleansing must precede fellowship.
The seven-day period taught patience: holiness isn't instantaneous but progressive. Warriors couldn't rush reintegration; purification required time. Similarly, believers' sanctification is progressive—positional holiness (instantaneous at conversion) works out through growth in practical holiness (Philippians 2:12-13). The washing of clothes represents external evidences matching internal purity—faith demonstrated through works (James 2:17). Entrance into camp fellowship required both internal rites (purification rituals) and external evidence (clean garments).
The seven-day period taught patience: holiness isn't instantaneous but progressive. Warriors couldn't rush reintegration; purification required time. Similarly, believers' sanctification is progressive—positional holiness (instantaneous at conversion) works out through growth in practical holiness (Philippians 2:12-13). The washing of clothes represents external evidences matching internal purity—faith demonstrated through works (James 2:17). Entrance into camp fellowship required both internal rites (purification rituals) and external evidence (clean garments).
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The seven-day exclusion isolated warriors from corporate worship and fellowship—significant hardship for covenant people whose identity centered on communal tabernacle worship. This temporary exclusion impressed upon them that even divinely-commanded violence involved death's defilement, maintaining sensitivity to death's abnormality. The pattern—exclusion, purification, washing, restoration—anticipated Christ's superior work: He went outside the camp (Hebrews 13:12), underwent death's full defilement, accomplished perfect purification, and returned in resurrection to restore believers to God's presence permanently. What Israel repeated ceremonially, Christ accomplished actually and eternally.
Reflection Questions
- Are you patient with progressive sanctification, or do you demand instant holiness without the process God ordains?
- How does Christ's completion of the ultimate exclusion-purification-restoration pattern assure your permanent acceptance in God's presence?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 9 wordsוְכִבַּסְתֶּ֧ם1 of 9
“And ye shall wash”
H3526to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative
בַּיּ֥וֹם3 of 9
“day”
H3117a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וּטְהַרְתֶּ֑ם5 of 9
“and ye shall be clean”
H2891to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
וְאַחַ֖ר6 of 9
“and afterward”
H310properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃9 of 9
“into the camp”
H4264an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
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 31:24 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 31:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge