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." You must send away male and female alike;This directive emphasizes the impartiality of God's law, applying equally to both genders. In the context of ancient Israel, this command reflects the communal responsibility to maintain purity and holiness. The inclusion of both male and female underscores the comprehensive nature of the law, ensuring that no one is exempt from the requirements of ritual cleanliness. This principle of equality before the law is echoed in Galatians 3:28, where Paul speaks of the equal standing of all believers in Christ. send them outside the camp
The camp of Israel was not just a physical dwelling place but a representation of the community's spiritual state. Being sent outside the camp symbolized separation from the holy presence of God and the community. This act of exclusion was necessary to maintain the sanctity of the camp, which was considered holy ground. The concept of being outside the camp is later seen in the New Testament, where Jesus suffered outside the city gates (Hebrews 13:12-13), symbolizing His bearing of sin and separation for humanity's sake. so they will not defile their camp,
The concern for defilement highlights the importance of purity in the presence of God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, defilement was not just a physical state but a spiritual one that could affect the entire community. The Israelites were called to be a holy nation (Exodus 19:6), and maintaining purity was essential to fulfilling this calling. This principle of avoiding defilement is seen throughout the Levitical laws and is a precursor to the New Testament teaching on holiness and sanctification (1 Peter 1:15-16). where I dwell among them.”
The presence of God among the Israelites was a defining feature of their identity as His chosen people. The tabernacle, located at the center of the camp, was the physical manifestation of God's dwelling among His people. This divine presence required a standard of holiness and purity, as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45). The concept of God dwelling among His people finds its ultimate fulfillment in the incarnation of Jesus Christ (John 1:14) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers (1 Corinthians 3:16), signifying God's continual presence with His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe people of God who were journeying through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. They were receiving laws and instructions from God through Moses. 2. The CampThe encampment of the Israelites in the wilderness, which was to be kept holy as it was the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. 3. LeperA person afflicted with leprosy, a skin disease that rendered them ceremonially unclean according to the Law of Moses. 4. Those with a DischargeIndividuals experiencing bodily discharges, which also made them ceremonially unclean. 5. Those Defiled by a Dead BodyPeople who had come into contact with a corpse, rendering them unclean under the Mosaic Law. Teaching Points Holiness and PurityGod’s command to remove the unclean from the camp underscores His holiness and the need for His people to maintain purity in their community. Separation for SanctificationThe physical separation of the unclean serves as a metaphor for spiritual separation from sin and impurity in the life of a believer. Community ResponsibilityThe Israelites were collectively responsible for maintaining the holiness of the camp, reminding us of the importance of accountability within the church. Symbolism of CleansingThe cleansing rituals point to the ultimate cleansing from sin provided through Jesus Christ, who purifies us and makes us holy. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the command in Numbers 5:3 reflect God's character and His expectations for His people? 2. In what ways can the principles of separation and purity in Numbers 5:3 be applied to our lives today as Christians? 3. How do the laws concerning leprosy and other forms of uncleanness in Leviticus 13-15 enhance our understanding of Numbers 5:3? 4. What are some modern-day "unclean" influences that Christians should be vigilant about separating from, according to 2 Corinthians 6:17? 5. How does the concept of Jesus suffering "outside the camp" in Hebrews 13:12-13 relate to the Old Testament practice of removing impurity from the camp? How does this impact our understanding of His sacrifice? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 13-15These chapters provide detailed laws regarding leprosy, bodily discharges, and purification processes, offering a broader context for understanding the regulations in Numbers 5:3. 2 Corinthians 6:17This New Testament passage calls believers to separate themselves from impurity, echoing the theme of holiness and separation found in Numbers 5:3. Hebrews 13:12-13Discusses Jesus suffering outside the camp, drawing a parallel to the Old Testament practice of removing impurity from the camp. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces SinaiTopics Alike, Camp, Camps, Defile, Dwell, Female, Male, Midst, Outside, Putting, Resting-place, Tabernacle, Tent-circle, Unclean, WhereofDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 5:3 5578 tents Numbers 5:1-3 5901 loneliness Numbers 5:1-7 5707 male and female Numbers 5:2-3 5182 skin Numbers 5:2-4 5244 camp Library Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of PietyCiii. Zacchæus. Parable of the Pounds. Journey to Jerusalem.
(Jericho.) ^C Luke XIX. 1-28. ^c 1 And he entered and was passing through Jericho. [This was about one week before the crucifixion. Jericho is about seven miles from the Jordan and about seventeen and a half from Jerusalem.] 2 And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. [See p. 76. It is probable that Zacchæus was a sub-contractor under some Roman knight who had bought the privilege of collecting taxes at Jericho, or perhaps the privilege of all …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 5:3 NIVNumbers 5:3 NLTNumbers 5:3 ESVNumbers 5:3 NASBNumbers 5:3 KJV
Numbers 5:3 Commentaries
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