Numbers 31:20

Numbers 31:20 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And purify every garment and leather good, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.”

King James Version KJV

And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood.

American Standard Version ASV

And as to every garment, and all that is made of skin, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood, ye shall purify yourselves.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And every bit of clothing, and anything made of leather or goats' hair or wood, you are to make clean.

Free Bible Version FBV

Also purify all your clothing and anything made of leather, goat's hair, or wood.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Also ye shall purifie euery garment and all that is made of skins and al worke of goates heare, and all things made of wood.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and every garment, and every skin vessel, and every work of goats' [hair], and every wooden vessel, ye yourselves cleanse.'

World English Bible WEB

You shall purify every garment, and all that is made of skin, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair , and all things made of wood.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And of all the spoil, every garment, or vessel, or any thing made for use, of the skins, or hair of goats, or of wood, shall be purified.

Translation for Translators T4T

You must also wash your clothes and anything that you took to the battle that is made of leather or goat’s hair or wood.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:20

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 31:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/כָל בֶּ֧גֶד וְ/כָל כְּלִי ע֛וֹר וְ/כָל מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה עִזִּ֖ים וְ/כָל כְּלִי עֵ֑ץ תִּתְחַטָּֽאוּ

וְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Conj | N-ms

בֶּ֧גֶד beged H899 treachery N-ms

וְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Conj | N-ms

כְּלִי kᵉlîy H3627 article/utensil N-ms

ע֛וֹר ʻôwr H5785 skin N-ms

וְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Conj | N-ms

מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה maʻăseh H4639 deed N-ms

עִזִּ֖ים ʻêz H5795 goat N-fp

וְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Conj | N-ms

כְּלִי kᵉlîy H3627 article/utensil N-ms

עֵ֑ץ ʻêts H6086 tree N-ms

תִּתְחַטָּֽאוּ châṭâʼ H2398 to sin V-Hithpael-Imperf-2mp

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:20

וְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

בֶּ֧גֶד beged H899 "treachery" N-ms

In the Bible, this word refers to clothing or a covering, like a garment or robe. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus, describing what people wore. The word is often translated as 'apparel' or 'raiment'.

Definition: treachery, deceit

Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe. See also: Genesis 24:53; Judges 17:10; Psalms 22:19.

וְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

כְּלִי kᵉlîy H3627 "article/utensil" N-ms

This Hebrew word refers to any object or tool, like a utensil or a piece of furniture. It is used to describe a wide range of items, from musical instruments to weapons. It emphasizes the object's purpose or function.

Definition: 1) article, vessel, implement, utensil 1a) article, object (general) 1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel 1b1) implement (of hunting or war) 1b2) implement (of music) 1b3) implement, tool (of labour) 1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen) 1b5) utensils, furniture 1c) vessel, receptacle (general) 1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed

Usage: Occurs in 276 OT verses. KJV: armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. See also: Genesis 24:53; 1 Samuel 14:13; Ezra 8:26.

ע֛וֹר ʻôwr H5785 "skin" N-ms

This Hebrew word means skin, like human skin or animal hide, and is used in the Bible to describe leather. It appears in Exodus 25:5 to describe the materials used to build the tabernacle. The word is also used in Genesis 3:21 to describe the clothing God made for Adam and Eve.

Definition: 1) skin, hide 1a) skin (of men) 1b) hide (of animals)

Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: hide, leather, skin. See also: Genesis 3:21; Leviticus 13:35; Jeremiah 13:23.

וְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה maʻăseh H4639 "deed" N-ms

This Hebrew word refers to an action or deed, which can be good or bad. It is used to describe various activities, such as work, business, or achievements. The KJV translates it as act, deed, or labor.

Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) deed, work 1a) deed, thing done, act 1b) work, labour 1c) business, pursuit 1d) undertaking, enterprise 1e) achievement 1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment) 1g) work, thing made 1h) work (of God) 1i) product

Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought. See also: Genesis 5:29; Job 1:10; Psalms 8:4.

עִזִּ֖ים ʻêz H5795 "goat" N-fp

Refers to a female goat, often translated as she-goat or kid, and is also related to goat's hair in the Bible.

Definition: female goat, she-goat, goat, kid Aramaic equivalent: ez (עֵז "goat" H5796)

Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: (she) goat, kid. See also: Genesis 15:9; Numbers 7:58; Proverbs 27:27.

וְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

כְּלִי kᵉlîy H3627 "article/utensil" N-ms

עֵ֑ץ ʻêts H6086 "tree" N-ms

This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.

Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax

Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.

תִּתְחַטָּֽאוּ châṭâʼ H2398 "to sin" V-Hithpael-Imperf-2mp

To sin means to miss the mark or go wrong, incurring guilt or penalty, and can also mean to repent or make amends. It is used in the Bible to describe wrongdoing and its consequences.

Definition: 1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to miss 1a2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty 1a3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to bear loss 1b2) to make a sin-offering 1b3) to purify from sin 1b4) to purify from uncleanness 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to miss the mark 1c2) to induce to sin, cause to sin 1c3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way 1d2) to purify oneself from uncleanness

Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass. See also: Genesis 20:6; 1 Kings 15:34; Psalms 4:5.

Study Notes — Numbers 31:20

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 31:20 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:20
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:20
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:20
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:20
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:20
Sermons on Numbers 31:20

Context — Vengeance on Midian

18but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man. 19All of you who have killed a person or touched the dead are to remain outside the camp for seven days. On the third day and the seventh day you are to purify both yourselves and your captives.

20And purify every garment and leather good, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.”

21Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: 22Only the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead—

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Numbers 19:22	Anything the unclean person touches will become unclean, and anyone who touches it will be unclean until evening.”
2	Genesis 35:2	So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.
3	Exodus 19:10	Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes
4	Numbers 19:14–16	This is the law when a person dies in a tent: Everyone who enters the tent and everyone already in the tent will be unclean for seven days, and any open container without a lid fastened on it is unclean. Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.

Numbers 31:20 Summary

This verse is talking about how the Israelites were supposed to make sure everything they had was clean and pure, even their clothes and things made of wood. This was because they had been in a battle and had come into contact with things that were considered 'unclean' by God. God wanted them to be holy and set apart for him, just like he wants us to be today (1 Peter 1:15-16). By following God's commands and seeking to be pure, we can show our love and obedience to him, just as the Israelites were supposed to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God command the Israelites to purify every garment and leather good?

God commanded the Israelites to purify these items to prevent the spread of ceremonial uncleanness, as seen in Numbers 31:20, and to teach them the importance of holiness, as stated in Leviticus 11:44-45.

What is the significance of purifying items made of goat's hair and wood?

The purification of these items, as mentioned in Numbers 31:20, demonstrates God's attention to detail and his desire for the Israelites to be completely set apart for him, as also seen in Exodus 19:10-15.

How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual purity?

This verse illustrates the importance of spiritual purity, as God required the Israelites to purify not only themselves, but also their belongings, to be holy and acceptable to him, as taught in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 and 2 Corinthians 7:1.

What can we learn from this verse about God's character?

This verse reveals God's character as a holy and loving God, who desires his people to be set apart for him and to live in a way that honors him, as seen in Isaiah 6:1-5 and 1 Peter 1:15-16.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I need to seek purification and holiness, just as the Israelites were commanded to do?
How can I apply the principle of purification to my daily life, and what are some practical steps I can take to live a more holy life?
What are some things in my life that may be 'unclean' or displeasing to God, and how can I seek to purify them?
How does the concept of purification in this verse relate to the idea of being 'set apart' for God, and what does this mean for my own life and witness?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:20

And purify all your raiment,.... By washing them; and this may intend not so much their own wearing apparel, as the raiment they took off of the dead bodies of the Midianites, since the person that

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:20

All your raiment, to wit, your spoil and prey. See 14:49. All these things had contracted some ceremonial uncleanness, either from the dead bodies which wore them, or the tents or houses where they were, in which such dead bodies lay, or from the touch of the Israelitish soldiers, who were legally defiled by the slaughters they made.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:20

20. all that is made of skin] such as sandals, saddles, coverings for packages &c. work of goats’ hair] such as tent-coverings (Exodus 25:4) and bed-coverings (1 Samuel 19:13; 1 Samuel 19:16).

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:20

20-23. All raiment — Or cloth for any use. Numbers 4:6-7, notes.

Sermons on Numbers 31:20

	Sermon	Description
	(Genesis) Genesis 35:3-13 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not wasting our lives as Christians. He draws parallels to the story of the children of Israel who wasted 40 years wanderi
	The Congo Revival by David Davies	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of encountering a man who was deeply moved by the message of forgiveness and cleansing. The man was unable to speak and tea
	Hebrews 12:18-29 by Don McClure	In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a little boy who is being chased by a man from an insane asylum. The boy is terrified and running for his life, but eventually, the
	The Proof of This Custom Only From the Talmuds. by John Gill	John Gill discusses the origins and evidence of the Jewish custom of receiving proselytes through baptism or dipping, emphasizing that this practice is primarily documented in the
	(New Wine in New Wineskins) 17. Signs That Point to the Return of Christ by Zac Poonen	Zac Poonen emphasizes the signs that indicate the imminent return of Christ, highlighting the significant changes in the world since 1939, including wars, famines, natural calamiti
	The Peoples Church, Toronto Pm by Richard Wurmbrand	In this video, the speaker shares about various ministries in the Hong Kong field that are supported by the audience. One of the ministries mentioned is the Tell Evangelism Ministr