Numbers 19:13
New International Version
If they fail to purify themselves after touching a human corpse, they defile the LORD’s tabernacle. They must be cut off from Israel. Because the water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on them, they are unclean; their uncleanness remains on them.

New Living Translation
All those who touch a dead body and do not purify themselves in the proper way defile the LORD’s Tabernacle, and they will be cut off from the community of Israel. Since the water of purification was not sprinkled on them, their defilement continues.

English Standard Version
Whoever touches a dead person, the body of anyone who has died, and does not cleanse himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from Israel; because the water for impurity was not thrown on him, he shall be unclean. His uncleanness is still on him.

Berean Standard Bible
Anyone who touches a human corpse and fails to purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person must be cut off from Israel. He remains unclean, because the water of purification has not been sprinkled on him, and his uncleanness is still on him.

King James Bible
Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.

New King James Version
Whoever touches the body of anyone who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person shall be cut off from Israel. He shall be unclean, because the water of purification was not sprinkled on him; his uncleanness is still on him.

New American Standard Bible
Anyone who touches a dead body, the body of a person who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from Israel. Since the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him, he will be unclean; his uncleanness is still on him.

NASB 1995
‘Anyone who touches a corpse, the body of a man who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from Israel. Because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is still on him.

NASB 1977
‘Anyone who touches a corpse, the body of a man who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from Israel. Because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is still on him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Anyone who touches a corpse, the body of a man who has died, and does not purify himself, makes the tabernacle of Yahweh unclean; and that person shall be cut off from Israel. Because the water for impurity was not splashed on him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is still on him.

Amplified Bible
Whoever touches a corpse, the body of anyone who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from Israel [that is, excluded from the atonement made for them]. Because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is still on him.

Christian Standard Bible
Anyone who touches a body of a person who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person will be cut off from Israel. He remains unclean because the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, and his uncleanness is still on him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Anyone who touches a body of a person who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person will be cut off from Israel. He remains unclean because the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, and his uncleanness is still on him.”

American Standard Version
Whosoever toucheth a dead person, the body of a man that hath died, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of Jehovah; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water for impurity was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.

Contemporary English Version
Suppose you touch a dead body, but refuse to be made clean by washing with the water mixed with ashes. You will be guilty of making my sacred tent unclean and will no longer belong to the people of Israel.

English Revised Version
Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever touches the dead body of a human being and doesn't use this water to take away his sin makes the LORD's tent unclean. That person must be excluded from Israel, because the water that takes away uncleanness wasn't sprinkled on him. He is unclean; his uncleanness stays with him.

Good News Translation
Those who touch a corpse and do not purify themselves remain unclean, because the water for purification has not been thrown over them. They defile the LORD's Tent, and they will no longer be considered God's people.

International Standard Version
Anyone who comes in contact with a dead person (that is, with the corpse of a human being who has died), but who does not purify himself, defiles the LORD's tent. That person is to be eliminated from Israel, because the water of impurity wasn't sprinkled on him. He remains unclean and his uncleanness will remain with him.

Majority Standard Bible
Anyone who touches a human corpse and fails to purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person must be cut off from Israel. He remains unclean, because the water of purification has not been sprinkled on him, and his uncleanness is still on him.

NET Bible
Anyone who touches the corpse of any dead person and does not purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. And that person must be cut off from Israel, because the water of purification was not sprinkled on him. He will be unclean; his uncleanness remains on him.

New Heart English Bible
Whoever touches a dead person, the body of a man who has died, and doesn't purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet on him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Whoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.

World English Bible
Whoever touches a dead person, the body of a man who has died, and doesn’t purify himself, defiles Yahweh’s tabernacle; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel; because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him, he shall be unclean. His uncleanness is yet on him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Anyone who is coming against the dead, against the body of man who dies, and does not cleanse himself, he has defiled the Dwelling Place of YHWH, and that person has been cut off from Israel, for water of separation is not sprinkled on him; he is unclean; his uncleanness [is] still on him.

Young's Literal Translation
Any one who is coming against the dead, against the body of man who dieth, and cleanseth not himself -- the tabernacle of Jehovah he hath defiled, and that person hath been cut off from Israel, for water of separation is not sprinkled upon him; he is unclean; his uncleanness is still upon him.

Smith's Literal Translation
All touching upon the dead, upon the soul of man which shall die, and shall not be purified, defiled the dwelling of Jehovah; and that soul was cut off from Israel: for the water of uncleanness was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness yet upon him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Every one that toucheth the corpse of a man, and is not sprinkled with mixture, shall profane the tabernacle of the Lord, and shall perish out of Israel: because he was not sprinkled with the water of expiation, he shall be unclean, and his uncleanness shall remain upon him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Anyone who will have touched the dead body of a human life, and who has not been sprinkled with this mixture, pollutes the tabernacle of the Lord, and he shall perish out of Israel. For not having been sprinkled with the water of expiation, he shall be unclean, and his filth shall remain upon him.

New American Bible
Those who touch the corpse of a human being who dies and who fail to purify themselves defile the tabernacle of the LORD and these persons shall be cut off from Israel. Since the purification water has not been splashed over them, they remain unclean: their uncleanness is still on them.

New Revised Standard Version
All who touch a corpse, the body of a human being who has died, and do not purify themselves, defile the tabernacle of the LORD; such persons shall be cut off from Israel. Since water for cleansing was not dashed on them, they remain unclean; their uncleanness is still on them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Whosoever touches the body of any man who is dead, and does not purify himself by sprinkling, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from Israel, because the water of purification was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet with him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all who will touch the dead of any person of man who will die and will not sprinkle upon himself, defiles the Tabernacle of LORD JEHOVAH; that soul shall be cut off from Israel because he did not sprinkle himself with the water of sprinkling; he shall be defiled again and his defilement is in him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Whosoever toucheth the dead, even the body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself--he hath defiled the tabernacle of the LORD--that soul shall be cut off from Israel; because the water of sprinkling was not dashed against him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Every one that touches the carcase of the person of a man, if he should have died, and the other not have been purified, has defiled the tabernacle of the Lord: that soul shall be cut off from Israel, because the water of sprinkling has not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Purification of the Unclean
12He must purify himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself on the third and seventh days, he will not be clean. 13Anyone who touches a human corpse and fails to purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person must be cut off from Israel. He remains unclean, because the water of purification has not been sprinkled on him, and his uncleanness is still on him. 14This is the law when a person dies in a tent: Everyone who enters the tent and everyone already in the tent will be unclean for seven days,…

Cross References
Leviticus 7:20-21
But if anyone who is unclean eats meat from the peace offering that belongs to the LORD, that person must be cut off from his people. / If one touches anything unclean, whether human uncleanness, an unclean animal, or any unclean, detestable thing, and then eats any of the meat of the peace offering that belongs to the LORD, that person must be cut off from his people.”

Leviticus 15:31
You must keep the children of Israel separate from their uncleanness, so that they do not die by defiling My tabernacle, which is among them.

Leviticus 22:3
Tell them that for the generations to come, if any of their descendants in a state of uncleanness approaches the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to the LORD, that person must be cut off from My presence. I am the LORD.

Numbers 5:2-3
“Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone with a skin disease, anyone who has a bodily discharge, and anyone who is defiled by a dead body. / You must send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.”

Numbers 9:6-7
But there were some men who were unclean due to a dead body, so they could not observe the Passover on that day. And they came before Moses and Aaron that same day / and said to Moses, “We are unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be excluded from presenting the LORD’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?”

Numbers 31:19-20
All of you who have killed a person or touched the dead are to remain outside the camp for seven days. On the third day and the seventh day you are to purify both yourselves and your captives. / And purify every garment and leather good, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.”

Deuteronomy 21:22-23
If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, / you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

2 Chronicles 30:19
who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not cleansed according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.”

Isaiah 52:11
Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.

Ezekiel 44:25-27
A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person. However, for a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, or an unmarried sister, he may do so, / and after he is cleansed, he must count off seven days for himself. / And on the day he goes into the sanctuary, into the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he must present his sin offering, declares the Lord GOD.

Haggai 2:13-14
So Haggai asked, “If one who is defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?” “Yes, it becomes defiled,” the priests answered. / Then Haggai replied, “So it is with this people and this nation before Me, declares the LORD, and so it is with every work of their hands; whatever they offer there is defiled.

Matthew 23:27
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity.

Mark 7:2-4
and they saw some of His disciples eating with hands that were defiled—that is, unwashed. / Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially. / And on returning from the market, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions for them to observe, including the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches for dining.

Luke 11:44
Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.”

John 18:28
Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.


Treasury of Scripture

Whoever touches the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifies not himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled on him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet on him.

purifieth

Numbers 15:30
But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Leviticus 5:3,6,17
Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty…

Leviticus 15:31
Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.

the water

Numbers 19:9,18
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…

Numbers 8:7
And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.

his uncleanness

Leviticus 7:20
But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.

Leviticus 22:3
Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD.

Proverbs 14:32
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Jump to Previous
Body Cut Dead Defiled Defiles Defileth Died Impurity Israel Purifieth Purify Separation Soul Sprinkled Tabernacle Touches Toucheth Unclean Uncleanness Water
Jump to Next
Body Cut Dead Defiled Defiles Defileth Died Impurity Israel Purifieth Purify Separation Soul Sprinkled Tabernacle Touches Toucheth Unclean Uncleanness Water
Numbers 19
1. The water of separation made of the ashes of a red heifer
11. The law for the use of it in purification of the unclean














Anyone who touches a dead body
The Hebrew word for "touches" is "נָגַע" (naga), which implies not just a casual contact but an intentional or significant interaction. In the ancient Near Eastern context, touching a dead body was a common occurrence due to the communal nature of life and death. However, in the Israelite community, this act had profound spiritual implications, as it rendered a person ritually unclean. This highlights the importance of life in God's eyes and the separation between life and death, purity and impurity.

the body of a man who has died
The phrase emphasizes the human aspect of death, reminding us of the mortality that all humans face. In Hebrew, "אִישׁ" (ish) refers to a man, underscoring the personal and relational aspect of death. This serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin, as death entered the world through sin (Romans 5:12). The Israelites were to be constantly aware of the sanctity of life and the reality of death, which pointed to the need for redemption and purification.

and does not purify himself
The Hebrew root "טָהֵר" (taher) means to be clean or pure. The purification process was not merely a physical cleansing but a spiritual one, involving specific rituals that symbolized the removal of impurity. This reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness and the need for God's people to be set apart. The purification rites pointed forward to the ultimate purification through Christ, who cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

defiles the tabernacle of the LORD
The term "defiles" comes from the Hebrew "טָמֵא" (tame), meaning to make unclean or impure. The tabernacle was the dwelling place of God among His people, a holy space that required purity. Defiling the tabernacle was a serious offense, as it disrupted the relationship between God and His people. This underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin, which separates us from Him. It also foreshadows the need for a perfect sacrifice to restore that relationship.

That person must be cut off from Israel
The phrase "cut off" (כָּרַת, karat) indicates a severe consequence, often implying death or excommunication. This was not merely a social penalty but a spiritual one, as being cut off from the community meant being separated from the covenant blessings and the presence of God. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands.

Because the water of purification was not sprinkled on him
The "water of purification" refers to the water mixed with the ashes of a red heifer, a unique ritual described earlier in Numbers 19. The sprinkling of this water symbolized the removal of impurity and the restoration of the individual to a state of holiness. This ritual points to the necessity of divine intervention for purification, ultimately fulfilled in Christ, whose blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness (Hebrews 9:13-14).

he is unclean; his uncleanness remains on him
The repetition of "unclean" emphasizes the state of impurity that persists without the proper purification. The Hebrew word "טָמֵא" (tame) is used again, highlighting the ongoing separation from God and the community. This serves as a powerful reminder of the need for continual cleansing and the grace of God, who provides a way for us to be made clean through faith in Jesus Christ. The permanence of uncleanness without purification underscores the necessity of atonement and the hope of redemption.

Verse 13. - Defileth the tabernacle of the Lord. On the bearing of this remarkable announcement see Leviticus 15:31. The uncleanness of death was not simply a personal matter, it involved, if not duly purged, the whole congregation, and reached even to God himself, for its defilement spread to the sanctuary. Cut off from Israel, i.e., excommunicate on earth, and liable to the direct visitation of Heaven (cf. Genesis 17:14).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Anyone
כָּֽל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who touches
הַנֹּגֵ֡עַ (han·nō·ḡê·a‘)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

a corpse,
בְּמֵ֣ת (bə·mêṯ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

the body
בְּנֶפֶשׁ֩ (bə·ne·p̄eš)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

of a person
הָאָדָ֨ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

has died,
יָמ֜וּת (yā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

and does not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

purify
יִתְחַטָּ֗א (yiṯ·ḥaṭ·ṭā)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

himself,
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

defiles
טִמֵּ֔א (ṭim·mê)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

the tabernacle
מִשְׁכַּ֤ן (miš·kan)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle

of the LORD.
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

That
הַהִ֖וא (ha·hi·w)
Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

person
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ (han·ne·p̄eš)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

must be cut off
וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה (wə·niḵ·rə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

from Israel.
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (mî·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

He remains
יִהְיֶ֔ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

unclean,
טָמֵ֣א (ṭā·mê)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2931: Unclean

because
כִּי֩ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the water
מֵ֨י (mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

of purification
נִדָּ֜ה (nid·dāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5079: Rejection, impurity, personal, moral

has not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

been sprinkled
זֹרַ֤ק (zō·raq)
Verb - QalPass - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2236: Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew

on him,
עָלָיו֙ (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and his uncleanness
טֻמְאָת֥וֹ (ṭum·’ā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2932: Religious impurity

is still on him.
ע֖וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more


Links
Numbers 19:13 NIV
Numbers 19:13 NLT
Numbers 19:13 ESV
Numbers 19:13 NASB
Numbers 19:13 KJV

Numbers 19:13 BibleApps.com
Numbers 19:13 Biblia Paralela
Numbers 19:13 Chinese Bible
Numbers 19:13 French Bible
Numbers 19:13 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Numbers 19:13 Whoever touches a dead person the body (Nu Num.)
Numbers 19:12
Top of Page
Top of Page