Numbers 19:18
New International Version
Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water and sprinkle the tent and all the furnishings and the people who were there. He must also sprinkle anyone who has touched a human bone or a grave or anyone who has been killed or anyone who has died a natural death.

New Living Translation
Then someone who is ceremonially clean must take a hyssop branch and dip it into the water. That person must sprinkle the water on the tent, on all the furnishings in the tent, and on the people who were in the tent; also on the person who touched a human bone, or touched someone who was killed or who died naturally, or touched a grave.

English Standard Version
Then a clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water and sprinkle it on the tent and on all the furnishings and on the persons who were there and on whoever touched the bone, or the slain or the dead or the grave.

Berean Standard Bible
Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, or a person who has died or been slain.

King James Bible
And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:

New King James Version
A clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water, sprinkle it on the tent, on all the vessels, on the persons who were there, or on the one who touched a bone, the slain, the dead, or a grave.

New American Standard Bible
And a clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, on all the furnishings, on the persons who were there, and on the one who touched the bone or the one who was killed or the one who died naturally, or the grave.

NASB 1995
A clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent and on all the furnishings and on the persons who were there, and on the one who touched the bone or the one slain or the one dying naturally or the grave.

NASB 1977
‘And a clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent and on all the furnishings and on the persons who were there, and on the one who touched the bone or the one slain or the one dying naturally or the grave.

Legacy Standard Bible
And a clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water and sprinkle it on the tent and on all the furnishings and on the persons who were there and on the one who touched the bone or the one slain or the one dying naturally or the grave.

Amplified Bible
A clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water and sprinkle it on the tent and on all the furnishings and on the people who were there, and on the one who touched the bone or the one who was killed or the one who died [naturally] or the grave.

Christian Standard Bible
A person who is clean is to take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, a corpse, or a person who had been killed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A person who is clean is to take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, a corpse, or a person who had been killed.”

American Standard Version
and a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched the bone, or the slain, or the dead, or the grave:

English Revised Version
and a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched the bone, or the slain, or the dead, or the grave:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A person who is clean will take a sprig of hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and all the people who were in the tent [with the dead body]. He must also sprinkle any person who has touched a human bone or a grave and any person who has touched someone who has been killed or who has died naturally.

Good News Translation
In the first case, someone who is ritually clean is to take a sprig of hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, everything in it, and the people who were there. In the second case, someone who is ritually clean is to sprinkle the water on those who had touched the human bone or the dead body or the grave.

International Standard Version
A clean person is to take some hyssop, dip it in water, and then sprinkle it on the tent, on every vessel, and on whoever was there (that is, on whoever touched the bones, the killed person, or the dead body, including whoever dug the grave).

Majority Standard Bible
Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, or a person who has died or been slain.

NET Bible
Then a ceremonially clean person must take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, on all its furnishings, and on the people who were there, or on the one who touched a bone, or one killed, or one who died, or a grave.

New Heart English Bible
and a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, and on all the vessels, and on the persons who were there, and on him who touched the bone, or the slain, or the dead, or the grave:

Webster's Bible Translation
And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:

World English Bible
A clean person shall take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, on all the vessels, on the persons who were there, and on him who touched the bone, or the slain, or the dead, or the grave.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and a clean person has taken hyssop, and has dipped [it] in water, and has sprinkled [it] on the tent, and on all the vessels, and on the persons who have been there, and on him who is coming against a bone, or against one pierced, or against the dead, or against a grave.

Young's Literal Translation
and a clean person hath taken hyssop, and hath dipped it in water, and hath sprinkled on the tent, and on all the vessels, and on the persons who have been there, and on him who is coming against a bone, or against one pierced, or against the dead, or against a grave.

Smith's Literal Translation
And a clean man took hyssop and dipped in water and sprinkled upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the souls which were there, and upon him touching upon a bone, or upon the wounded, or upon the the dead, or upon a grave:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And a man that is clean shall dip hyssop in them, and shall sprinkle therewith all the tent, and all the furniture, and the men that are defiled with touching any such thing:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And into it a man who is clean shall dip hyssop, and he shall sprinkle from it the entire tent, and all its articles, and the men who were polluted by means of contact.

New American Bible
Then someone who is clean will take hyssop, dip it in this water, and sprinkle it on the tent and on all the vessels and persons that were in it, or on the one who touched the bone, the slain person or the other corpse, or the grave.

New Revised Standard Version
then a clean person shall take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, on all the furnishings, on the persons who were there, and on whoever touched the bone, the slain, the corpse, or the grave.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And a clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water and sprinkle it upon the tent and upon all the vessels and upon the persons who were there and upon him who touched a bone or a slain person or one dead or a grave;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a man that is pure shall take hyssop and he shall dip it in water and he shall sprinkle it on the tent and upon the vessels and upon every soul that was there and upon whom ever touched a bone, or one killed, or the dead, or a tomb.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched the bone, or the slain, or the dead, or the grave.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And a clean man shall take hyssop, and dip it into the water, and sprinkle it upon the house, and the furniture, and all the souls that are therein, and upon him that touched the human bone, or the slain man, or the corpse, or the tomb.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Purification of the Unclean
17For the purification of the unclean person, take some of the ashes of the burnt sin offering, put them in a jar, and pour fresh water over them. 18Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, or a person who has died or been slain. 19The man who is ceremonially clean is to sprinkle the unclean person on the third day and on the seventh day. After he purifies the unclean person on the seventh day, the one being cleansed must wash his clothes and bathe in water, and that evening he will be clean.…

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!

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 14:5-7
Then the priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot. / And he is to take the live bird together with the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, and dip them into the blood of the bird that was slaughtered over the fresh water. / Seven times he shall sprinkle the one to be cleansed of the skin disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and release the live bird into the open field.

Isaiah 52:15
so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard.

John 13:8-10
“Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” / “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” / 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 16:19
He is to sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.

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.

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.

Zechariah 13:1
“On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the people of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

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.

Exodus 12:22
Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.

1 Peter 1:2
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.


Treasury of Scripture

And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, and on all the vessels, and on the persons that were there, and on him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:

Numbers 19:9
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.

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

Ezekiel 36:25-27
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you…

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Bone Clean Dead Dip Dying Hyssop Persons Slain Sprinkle Tent Touched Vessels Water
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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














a man who is clean
In the Hebrew context, the word for "clean" is "tahor," which signifies ritual purity. This purity is not merely physical but also spiritual, indicating a state of being set apart for God's purposes. The requirement for a clean man underscores the holiness necessary to perform acts of purification, reflecting God's desire for His people to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44).

take hyssop
Hyssop, or "ezov" in Hebrew, is a plant used frequently in purification rites. Its use here is symbolic of cleansing and purification, as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 51:7, "Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean." Hyssop's role in the Passover (Exodus 12:22) further emphasizes its significance in the deliverance and sanctification of God's people.

dip it in the water
The act of dipping, or "tabal" in Hebrew, signifies immersion and thoroughness in the cleansing process. The water used here is mixed with the ashes of the red heifer, symbolizing the removal of impurity and sin. Water, a symbol of life and purification, is a recurring theme in Scripture, pointing to the cleansing power of God's Word and Spirit (Ephesians 5:26).

sprinkle it on the tent
Sprinkling, or "nazah" in Hebrew, is a ritual act that signifies the transfer of purity. The tent, representing the dwelling place, must be purified to restore fellowship with God. This act foreshadows the sprinkling of Christ's blood, which purifies believers and reconciles them to God (Hebrews 9:13-14).

on all the furnishings
The furnishings, or "keli" in Hebrew, include all items within the tent. This comprehensive cleansing signifies that every aspect of life must be purified and dedicated to God. It reflects the call for believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).

and the people who were there
The inclusion of people highlights the communal aspect of purification. In the Hebrew community, impurity affected not just individuals but the entire community. This underscores the importance of communal holiness and accountability, as seen in the New Testament's call for believers to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).

on anyone who touched a human bone
Touching a human bone, or "etzem" in Hebrew, rendered a person unclean. This reflects the seriousness of death as a consequence of sin. The need for purification from contact with death points to the hope of resurrection and eternal life through Christ, who conquered death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

or a grave
A grave, or "kever" in Hebrew, is a place of burial and symbolizes the finality of death. The need for purification from contact with a grave emphasizes the separation between life and death, and the hope of eternal life through Christ, who is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).

or a person who has died
Contact with a deceased person, or "met" in Hebrew, required purification to restore ritual cleanliness. This highlights the pervasive impact of sin and death, and the necessity of divine intervention for true cleansing, fulfilled in Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection (Romans 6:23).

or a person who has been slain
The phrase "has been slain," or "chalal" in Hebrew, refers to death by violence. This underscores the tragic consequences of sin and the need for atonement. It points to Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose death brings peace and reconciliation with God (Revelation 5:9).

Verse 18. - Shall take hyssop. See Exodus 12:22, and cf. Psalm 51:7.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then a man
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who is ceremonially clean
טָהוֹר֒ (ṭā·hō·wr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2889: Clean, pure

is to take
וְלָקַ֨ח (wə·lā·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

some hyssop,
אֵז֜וֹב (’ê·zō·wḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 231: Hyssop

dip
וְטָבַ֣ל (wə·ṭā·ḇal)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2881: To dip, to immerse

it in the water,
בַּמַּיִם֮ (bam·ma·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

and sprinkle
וְהִזָּ֤ה (wə·hiz·zāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5137: To spurt, spatter, sprinkle

the tent,
הָאֹ֙הֶל֙ (hā·’ō·hel)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 168: A tent

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

the furnishings,
הַכֵּלִ֔ים (hak·kê·lîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

and the people
הַנְּפָשׁ֖וֹת (han·nə·p̄ā·šō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

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

were
הָֽיוּ־ (hā·yū-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

there.
שָׁ֑ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

He is also to sprinkle the one who touched
הַנֹּגֵ֗עַ (han·nō·ḡê·a‘)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

the bone,
בַּעֶ֙צֶם֙ (ba·‘e·ṣem)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

grave,
בַקָּֽבֶר׃ (ḇaq·qā·ḇer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6913: A grave, sepulcher

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

or
א֣וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

person who had been killed.
בֶֽחָלָ֔ל (ḇe·ḥā·lāl)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted


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OT Law: Numbers 19:18 And a clean person shall take hyssop (Nu Num.)
Numbers 19:17
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