Numbers 19

Numbers 19:9

9.—for a water of separation.] To be put into spring water, which was always accounted more pure than other, by which those persons were to be cleansed, who were separated, on account of their pollutions, from the congregation: and those things also, which had been defiled, were restored to their common use. Bp. Patrick.

Numbers 19:17

17.—purification for sin.] The terms iniquity and sin do not, in the language of the Old Testament, necessarily imply a deviation from moral rectitude, or a transgression of the moral law; but are frequently used, when nothing more can be understood than a privation

Numbers 19:18

18.—hyssop.] A cleansing herb, easily procured.

Numbers 19:22

22.—shall be unclean until even.] By the nice care here taken about the smallest bodily defilements, God undoubtedly intended to make the people sensible, how necessary it was to preserve inward purity; without which they could not be acceptable to God, though they approached His sanctuary. For these laws, extending to what was done at home as well as abroad, were a plain instruction, both that it was not sufficient to be Before CHRIST about 1471. water, shall be given.