Numbers 19:21
New International Version
This is a lasting ordinance for them. “The man who sprinkles the water of cleansing must also wash his clothes, and anyone who touches the water of cleansing will be unclean till evening.

New Living Translation
This is a permanent law for the people. Those who sprinkle the water of purification must afterward wash their clothes, and anyone who then touches the water used for purification will remain defiled until evening.

English Standard Version
And it shall be a statute forever for them. The one who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and the one who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening.

Berean Standard Bible
This is a permanent statute for the people: The one who sprinkles the water of purification must wash his clothes, and whoever touches the water of purification will be unclean until evening.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
It shall be a perpetual statute for them. He who sprinkles the water of purification shall wash his clothes; and he who touches the water of purification shall be unclean until evening.

New American Standard Bible
So it shall be a permanent statute for them. And the one who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and the one who touches the water for impurity will be unclean until evening.

NASB 1995
‘So it shall be a perpetual statute for them. And he who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and he who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening.

NASB 1977
‘So it shall be a perpetual statute for them. And he who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and he who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening.

Legacy Standard Bible
So it shall be a perpetual statute for them. And he who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and he who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening.

Amplified Bible
So it shall be a perpetual statute to them. He who sprinkles the water for impurity [on another] shall wash his clothes, and he who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening.

Christian Standard Bible
This is a permanent statute for them. The person who sprinkles the water for impurity is to wash his clothes, and whoever touches the water for impurity will be unclean until evening.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is a permanent statute for them. The person who sprinkles the water for impurity is to wash his clothes, and whoever touches the water for impurity will be unclean until evening.

American Standard Version
And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them: and he that sprinkleth the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and he that toucheth the water for impurity shall be unclean until even.

Contemporary English Version
These laws will never change. The man who sprinkled the water and the ashes on you when you were unclean must also wash his clothes. And whoever touches this water is unclean until evening.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This will be a permanent law for them. "Whoever sprinkles the water to take away uncleanness must wash his clothes. And whoever touches this water will be unclean until evening.

Good News Translation
You are to observe this rule for all time to come. The person who sprinkles the water for purification must also wash his clothes; anyone who touches the water remains ritually unclean until evening.

International Standard Version
as a continuing reminder to them. Whoever sprinkles the water of impurity is to wash his clothes, and whoever comes in contact with the water of impurity is to remain unclean until evening.

Majority Standard Bible
This is a permanent statute for the people: The one who sprinkles the water of purification must wash his clothes, and whoever touches the water of purification will be unclean until evening.

NET Bible
"'So this will be a perpetual ordinance for them: The one who sprinkles the water of purification must wash his clothes, and the one who touches the water of purification will be unclean until evening.

New Heart English Bible
It shall be a perpetual statute to them: and he who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and he who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it shall be a perpetual statute to 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 the evening.

World English Bible
It shall be a perpetual statute to them. He who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and he who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it has been for a continuous statute to them, that he who is sprinkling the water of separation washes his garments, and he who is coming against the water of separation is unclean until the evening,

Young's Literal Translation
'And it hath been to them for a statute age-during, that he who is sprinkling the water of separation doth wash his garments, and he who is coming against the water of separation is unclean till the evening,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was to them for a law forever, and he sprinkling the water of uncleanness shall wash his garments; and he touching upon the water of uncleanness shall be unclean till the evening.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
This precept shall be an ordinance for ever. He also that sprinkled the water, shall wash his garments. Every one that shall touch the waters of expiation, shall be unclean until the evening.

Catholic Public Domain Version
This precept shall be an everlasting ordinance. Likewise, the one who has sprinkled the waters shall wash his garments. All who will have touched the waters of expiation shall be unclean until evening.

New American Bible
This will be a permanent statute for you. Those who sprinkle the purification water will wash their garments, and those who come in contact with the purification water will be unclean until evening.

New Revised Standard Version
It shall be a perpetual statute for them. The one who sprinkles the water for cleansing shall wash his clothes, and whoever touches the water for cleansing shall be unclean until evening.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it shall be a perpetual statute to you that he who sprinkles the water of purification shall wash his clothes; and he who touches the water of sprinkling shall be unclean until evening.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it will be the law for you to eternity and he who sprinkles the water of sprinkling washes his garments and whoever touches the water of sprinkling shall be defiled until evening.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them; and he that sprinkleth the water of sprinkling shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the water of sprinkling shall be unclean until even.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it shall be to you a perpetual statute; and he that sprinkles the water of sprinkling shall wash his garments; and he that touches the water of sprinkling shall be unclean until evening.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Purification of the Unclean
20But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he will be cut off from the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean. 21This is a permanent statute for the people: The one who sprinkles the water of purification must wash his clothes, and whoever touches the water of purification will be unclean until evening. 22Anything the unclean person touches will become unclean, and anyone who touches it will be unclean until evening.”…

Cross References
Hebrews 9:13-14
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

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.

Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Psalm 51:7
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Ezekiel 36:25
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Leviticus 11:25
and whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening.

Leviticus 14:8-9
The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be ceremonially clean. Afterward, he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent for seven days. / On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair—his head, his beard, his eyebrows, and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

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.

Leviticus 17:15
And any person, whether native or foreigner, who eats anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening; then he will be clean.

Leviticus 22:4-6
If a descendant of Aaron has a skin disease or a discharge, he may not eat the sacred offerings until he is clean. Whoever touches anything defiled by a corpse or by a man who has an emission of semen, / or whoever touches a crawling creature or a person that makes him unclean, whatever the uncleanness may be— / the man who touches any of these will remain unclean until evening. He must not eat from the sacred offerings unless he has bathed himself with water.

John 13:10
Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”

1 Corinthians 6:11
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Leviticus 5:2-3
Or if a person touches anything unclean—whether the carcass of any unclean wild animal or livestock or crawling creature—even if he is unaware of it, he is unclean and guilty. / Or if he touches human uncleanness—anything by which one becomes unclean—even if he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, he is guilty.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Leviticus 11:25,40
And whosoever beareth ought of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even…

Leviticus 16:26-28
And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp…

Hebrews 7:19
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

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Age-During Cleansing Clothes Clothing Evening Everlasting Impurity Lasting Ordinance Puts Separation Sprinkles Sprinkleth Sprinkling Statute Touches Toucheth Touching Unclean Wash Washed Water
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Age-During Cleansing Clothes Clothing Evening Everlasting Impurity Lasting Ordinance Puts Separation Sprinkles Sprinkleth Sprinkling Statute Touches Toucheth Touching Unclean Wash Washed 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














This is a permanent statute
The phrase "permanent statute" in Hebrew is "חֻקַּת עוֹלָם" (chukat olam). The word "chukat" refers to a decree or ordinance that is to be followed without question, often beyond human understanding. "Olam" signifies eternity or perpetuity. This indicates that the commandment is not temporary but is to be observed indefinitely. In the context of the Israelites, it underscores the enduring nature of God's laws and the importance of obedience. It serves as a reminder of the holiness and purity required by God, which transcends time and cultural changes.

for them
The phrase "for them" refers specifically to the Israelites, God's chosen people. It highlights the unique covenant relationship between God and Israel. This covenant is characterized by specific laws and statutes that set the Israelites apart from other nations. It is a call to holiness and a reminder of their identity as a people consecrated to God.

The one who sprinkles the water of cleansing
The "water of cleansing" is a mixture made from the ashes of a red heifer, as described earlier in Numbers 19. The act of sprinkling this water is a ritual of purification. The Hebrew word for "sprinkles" is "זֹרֵק" (zorek), which implies a deliberate and careful action. This ritual signifies the removal of impurity and the restoration of holiness. It points to the need for spiritual cleansing and the role of mediators in the process of purification.

must wash his clothes
The requirement to "wash his clothes" symbolizes the removal of impurity. In the ancient Near Eastern context, washing was a common practice for purification. The act of washing one's clothes is a physical representation of spiritual cleansing. It emphasizes the importance of purity in the presence of God and the need for those involved in the purification process to maintain their own holiness.

and whoever touches the water of cleansing
Touching the "water of cleansing" results in becoming unclean, which may seem paradoxical. However, this highlights the sacredness of the purification process. The Hebrew word for "touches" is "נֹגֵעַ" (nogea), which implies contact or association. This serves as a reminder that even holy objects require reverence and that the process of purification is not to be taken lightly.

will be unclean until evening
The state of being "unclean until evening" indicates a temporary condition. In Hebrew culture, evening marked the beginning of a new day. This temporary uncleanness underscores the idea that impurity can be overcome and that restoration is possible. It reflects the grace of God, who provides a way for His people to be cleansed and restored to fellowship with Him. The evening signifies a new beginning, a fresh start in the presence of God.

Verse 21. - It shall be a perpetual statute. This formula usually emphasizes something of solemn importance. In this case, as apparently above in verse 10, the regulations thus enforced might seem of trifling moment. But the whole design of this ordinance, down to its minutest detail, was to stamp upon physical death a far-reaching power of defiling and separating from God, which extended even to the very means Divinely appointed as a remedy. The Jew, whose religious feelings were modeled upon this law, must have felt himself entangled in the meshes of a net so widely cast about him that he could hardly quite escape it by extreme caution and multiplied observances; he might indeed exclaim, unless habit hardened him to it, "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This
וְהָיְתָ֥ה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

is a permanent
עוֹלָ֑ם (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

statute for [the people]:
לְחֻקַּ֣ת (lə·ḥuq·qaṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2708: Something prescribed, an enactment, statute

The one who sprinkles
וּמַזֵּ֤ה (ū·maz·zêh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5137: To spurt, spatter, sprinkle

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

of [purification]
הַנִּדָּה֙ (han·nid·dāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5079: Rejection, impurity, personal, moral

must wash
יְכַבֵּ֣ס (yə·ḵab·bês)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3526: To trample, to wash

his clothes,
בְּגָדָ֔יו (bə·ḡā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

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

the water
בְּמֵ֣י (bə·mê)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

of [purification]
הַנִּדָּ֔ה (han·nid·dāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5079: Rejection, impurity, personal, moral

will be unclean
יִטְמָ֖א (yiṭ·mā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

evening.
הָעָֽרֶב׃ (hā·‘ā·reḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening


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OT Law: Numbers 19:21 It shall be a perpetual statute (Nu Num.)
Numbers 19:20
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