Numbers 19:20

But 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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God instructs Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness regarding the consequences of neglecting the death-purification ritual.

The words — נִכְרְתָה (nikh.re.Tah) means "it will be cut off," denoting formal exclusion from the community. יִתְחַטָּא (yit.cha.Ta) means "he will purify himself," referring to the active requirement of undergoing the prescribed ritual cleansing.

The thread — Defiling the sanctuary triggers the same exclusion warning found in Numbers 19:13, while the "cut off" formula appears in Genesis 17:14 for covenant violation.

Why it lands — The passage requires immediate compliance with the sprinkling rite to avoid ritual defilement and communal expulsion. It demands that readers treat the prescribed cleansing as non-negotiable for maintaining standing before God and the assembly.

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

But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the Lord: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean.

Cross-references

Numbers 19:13 Anyone who touches a human corpse and fails to purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person must be cut off from Israel. He remains unclean, because the water of purification has not been sprinkled on him, and his uncleanness is still on him.
Genesis 17:14 But if any male is not circumcised, he will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Numbers 15:30 But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people.
Acts 13:39 Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Romans 2:4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
Revelation 22:11 Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”