Bible Strands
Numbers 19:18
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The passage is a ritual directive given to the Israelite community, instructing a ceremonially clean man to perform purification rites immediately following contact with death.
The words — The text specifies אֵז֜וֹב ('e.Zov), meaning hyssop, as the instrument for applying the water. It also uses וְ/הִזָּ֤ה (ve./hi.Zah), translated as he will spatter, to describe the action of distributing the water onto objects and people.
The thread — The motif of ritual sprinkling for cleansing appears in Ezekiel 36:25, which promises clean water will remove impurities. The New Testament references Hebrews 9:14, which contrasts earthly purification rites with the purifying work of Christ.
Why it lands — The passage requires strict adherence to a prescribed sequence for anyone defiled by death. It establishes that contact with mortality demands a specific, mediated ritual to restore ceremonial status.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James 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 a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:
Cross-references
- 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.
- Hebrews 9:14 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!
- Numbers 19:9 Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to gather up the ashes of the heifer and store them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They must be kept by the congregation of Israel for preparing the water of purification; this is for purification from sin.
- Psalms 51:7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
- John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.
- John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
- John 17:19 For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth.