Numbers 8:7 This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.

◄ Numbers 8:7 ►

New International Version
To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing on them; then have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. And so they will purify themselves.

New Living Translation
Do this by sprinkling them with the water of purification, and have them shave their entire body and wash their clothing. Then they will be ceremonially clean.

English Standard Version
Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them go with a razor over all their body, and wash their clothes and cleanse themselves.

Berean Standard Bible
This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purification on them, and let them shave all their body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.

New American Standard Bible
This is what you shall do to them, for their cleansing: sprinkle purifying water on them, and have them use a razor over their whole body, and they shall wash their clothes and cleanse themselves.

NASB 1995
“Thus you shall do to them, for their cleansing: sprinkle purifying water on them, and let them use a razor over their whole body and wash their clothes, and they will be clean.

NASB 1977
“And thus you shall do to them, for their cleansing: sprinkle purifying water on them, and let them use a razor over their whole body, and wash their clothes, and they shall be clean.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus you shall do to them, for their cleansing: sprinkle purifying water on them, and let them use a razor over their whole body and wash their clothes, and they will be clean.

Amplified Bible
This is what you shall do to them to [ceremonially] cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification on them, and let them use a razor over their whole body and wash their clothes, and they will be clean.

Christian Standard Bible
Do this to them for their purification: Sprinkle them with the purification water. Have them shave their entire bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what you must do to them for their purification: Sprinkle them with the purification water. Have them shave their entire bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.”

American Standard Version
And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of expiation upon them, and let them cause a razor to pass over all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.

Contemporary English Version
and sprinkle them with the water that washes away their sins. Then have them shave their entire bodies and wash their clothes.

English Revised Version
And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of expiation upon them, and let them cause a razor to pass over all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what you must do to make them clean: Sprinkle them with water to take away their sins. Make them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. Then they will be clean.

Good News Translation
in the following way: sprinkle them with the water of purification and have them shave their whole bodies and have them wash their clothes. Then they will be ritually clean.

International Standard Version
This is what you are to do for them in order to purify them: Sprinkle purifying water over them, have them shave their skin, and then have them wash their garments, and they will be purified.

Majority Standard Bible
This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.

NET Bible
And do this to them to purify them: Sprinkle water of purification on them; then have them shave all their body and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.

New Heart English Bible
You shall do this to them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of cleansing on them, let them shave their whole bodies with a razor, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thus shalt thou do to 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.

World English Bible
You shall do this to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of cleansing on them, let them shave their whole bodies with a razor, let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And thus you do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle waters of atonement on them, and they have caused a razor to pass over all their flesh, and have washed their garments, and cleansed themselves,

Young's Literal Translation
'And thus thou dost to them to cleanse them: sprinkle upon them waters of atonement, and they have caused a razor to pass over all their flesh, and have washed their garments, and cleansed themselves,

Smith's Literal Translation
And thus thou shalt do to them, to cleanse them: sprinkle upon them the water of sin, and they caused a razor to pass over upon all their flesh, and they washed their garments, and they were cleansed.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
According to this rite: Let them be sprinkled with the water of purification, and let them shave all the hairs of their flesh. And when they shall have washed their garments, and are cleansed,

Catholic Public Domain Version
according to this ritual: Let them be sprinkled with the water of illumination, and let them shave off all the hairs of their body. And when they have washed their garments and have been cleansed,

New American Bible
This is what you shall do to them to cleanse them. Sprinkle them with the water of purification, have them shave their whole bodies and wash their garments, and so cleanse themselves.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus you shall do to them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification on them, have them shave their whole body with a razor and wash their clothes, and so cleanse themselves.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle purifying water upon them, and let them shave all the body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In this way do to them and purify them: sprinkle upon them the waters of sins and they shall pass a razor on all their flesh and they shall wash their garments and they shall be purified.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them cause a razor to pass over all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thus shalt thou perform their purification: thou shalt sprinkle them with water of purification, and a razor shall come upon the whole of their body, and they shall wash their garments, and shall be clean.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Cleansing the Levites
…6“Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. 7This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves. 8Then have them take a young bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you are to take a second young bull for a sin offering.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

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.

Exodus 29:4
Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.

Leviticus 8:6
Then Moses presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.

Hebrews 9:10
They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.

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.”

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.

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

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.

Titus 3:5
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 7:14
“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Isaiah 1:16
Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!

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.

Ephesians 5:26
to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

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.

Acts 22:16
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’

Treasury of Scripture

And thus shall you do to them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying on them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.

sprinkle

Leviticus 8:6
And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.

Leviticus 14:7
And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.

Isaiah 52:15
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

water

Numbers 19:9,10,13,17-19
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…

Psalm 51:7
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Hebrews 9:13
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

let them shave.

Leviticus 14:8,9
And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days…

wash their

Numbers 19:7,8,10,19
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 31:20
And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood.

Genesis 35:2
Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

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Numbers 8

1. How the lamps are to be lighted
5. The consecration of the Levites
23. The age and time of their service

Berean Study Bible

And this is what you shall do to them to cleanse them
This phrase introduces the divine instructions given to Moses regarding the purification of the Levites. The Hebrew word for "cleanse" is "טָהֵר" (taher), which implies a ceremonial purification necessary for the Levites to serve in the tabernacle. This cleansing is not merely physical but also spiritual, signifying a setting apart for holy service. Historically, the Levites were chosen by God to assist the priests and maintain the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of purity in their role.

Sprinkle them with the water of purification
The "water of purification" refers to a special mixture used for ceremonial cleansing, as described in Numbers 19. The Hebrew term for "sprinkle" is "נָזָה" (nazah), which indicates a ritual act of making something holy. This act symbolizes the removal of impurity and sin, preparing the Levites for their sacred duties. The use of water in purification rites is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing spiritual cleansing and renewal.

and have them shave their whole bodies
Shaving the body is a symbolic act of removing the old self and preparing for a new, consecrated life. The Hebrew word "גָּלַח" (galach) means to shave or cut off, signifying a complete transformation. This act of shaving is a physical manifestation of the inner purification and dedication required for service to God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, shaving was often associated with mourning or purification, underscoring the seriousness of the Levites' consecration.

and wash their clothes
Washing clothes is another symbolic act of purification. The Hebrew word "כָּבַס" (kabas) means to wash or cleanse, indicating the removal of external impurities. In biblical times, washing garments was a common practice before entering sacred spaces, reflecting the need for holiness and purity. This act serves as a reminder that those who serve God must be clean both inside and out, aligning their external actions with their internal devotion.

and so make themselves clean
The phrase "make themselves clean" emphasizes personal responsibility in the purification process. The Hebrew word "טָהֵר" (taher) is used again, reinforcing the idea of becoming ritually pure. This self-cleansing is a prerequisite for serving in the tabernacle, highlighting the importance of personal holiness in one's relationship with God. It serves as a powerful reminder that while God provides the means for purification, individuals must actively participate in the process to be fit for His service.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) Water of purifying.--Literally, water of sin, or, of sin-offering (Hebrew, hattath). As in the case of the holy water, to which reference is made in Numbers 6:17, so here also there is no explanation given of the particular water which was to be used in cleansing the Levites. The bullock which was appointed to be offered as a sin-offering at the consecration of Aaron and his sons (Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 8:14) is described by the same word which is here employed (in the Authorised Version, sin-offering); and in Leviticus 4:14, the sacrifice which was appointed to be offered for the expiation of sin (in the Authorised Version, the sin) is also spoken of under the same name; so also is the sin-offering of the Levites in Numbers 8:8 of this chapter. The sin-water evidently denotes the water appointed to be used in the purification of sin; and the reference is probably (as in Numbers 6:17) to the water which was kept in the brazen laver in front of the Tabernacle. It is possible, however, that some direction which is not here recorded may have been given respecting putting the ashes of the sin-offering into water. (Comp. Numbers 19:9, where the water of purification is described under the same name: "it is a purification for sin." Literally, it is hattath.) In this case, however, the sin-offering, which is not mentioned until Numbers 8:8, must have been sacrificed previously to the sprinkling. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - Sprinkle water of purifying upon them. Rather, "water of sin," so called because it had to do with the removal of sin, just as "water of separation" (Numbers 19:9, 13) was that which delivered from the legal state of separation. It is not likely to have been prepared in the same manner as this latter (Numbers 19:9), both because of the great difference between the two cases, and because the ordinance of the red heifer belonged to a later period. Nor is it likely to have resembled that used for cleansing the leper, or the water of jealousy. But it is rash to conclude that, because we do not read any special directions for its preparation, it must, therefore, have been nothing trot water from the laver which stood in the outer court. That water appears, indeed, to be called "holy water" in Numbers 5:17, which is intelligible enough; but no probable reason can be shown why it should be called "sin water;" it would seem as reasonable to call the water which our Lord turned into wine "sill water," because it stood there "for the purifying of the Jews." It is better to say that we do not know, because it is not recorded, how this water was prepared, or how it corresponded to its name. The Levites who were to be sprinkled would seem to have included all the males, some twenty thousand in number; because it was all the males, and not only those between thirty and fifty, who were to be dedicated in place of the first-born. In any case it was, of course, impossible that Moses could have sprinkled them individually (see below on verse 11). Let them shave all their flesh. Literally, "let them cause the razor to pass over their whole body." Some distinguish between עָבַר תּעַר here and גִלַּה in Leviticus 14:8, 9, as though the latter meant a much more complete shaving off of the hair than the former; but this difference is doubtful; the fact that the whole body as well as the head was to be shaved implies that it was more than a mere cutting short of the hair. Let them wash their clothes. This was constantly enjoined on all the faithful as a preparation for any special religious service (see on Exodus 19:10). And so make themselves clean. The shaving and washing had, no doubt, a symbolic significance, but their primary object was simply and obviously personal cleanliness; it is the hair and the clothes that chiefly harbour impurities, especially in a hot climate.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

This is what
וְכֹֽה־ (wə·ḵōh-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

you must do
תַעֲשֶׂ֤ה (ṯa·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

to cleanse them:
לְטַֽהֲרָ֔ם (lə·ṭa·hă·rām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2891: To be clean or pure

Sprinkle
הַזֵּ֥ה (haz·zêh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5137: To spurt, spatter, sprinkle

them
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

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

of purification.
חַטָּ֑את (ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

Have them shave
וְהֶעֱבִ֤ירוּ (wə·he·‘ĕ·ḇî·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

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

bodies
בְּשָׂרָ֔ם (bə·śā·rām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

and wash
וְכִבְּס֥וּ (wə·ḵib·bə·sū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3526: To trample, to wash

their clothes,
בִגְדֵיהֶ֖ם (ḇiḡ·ḏê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

and so purify themselves.
וְהִטֶּהָֽרוּ׃ (wə·hiṭ·ṭe·hā·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2891: To be clean or pure

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OT Law: Numbers 8:7 You shall do this to them (Nu Num.)