Números 19
Thomas Constable · Citado em PreceptAustin
Números 19
Constable has an interesting note (confirmed by Nu 19:9 "it is purification from sin" and NET translation of Nu 19:17 "burnt for purification from sin" ) The sprinkling of the blood shows that this slaying was a sin offering. The animal died for the sin of the congregation." Brooks - on significance of seven times - "Jenson points out that the number seven was often associated with completion, fullness, and perfection in the ancient Near East and the Bible. Consequently it was natural to link it with the divine. There were seven each of branches of the golden lampstand (Exod. 25:32-37), annual festivals (Lev. 23:4-34) of which two lasted for seven days (Lev: 23:6, 36), years in a sabbatical cycle (Deut. 15:1), sabbatical years in a jubilee cycle (Lev. 25:8), sacrifices in some sets of offerings (Num. 28:11, 19, 27; 29:2, 8; and double sevens: Nu 29:13, 17), and sprinklings of blood (Lev. 4:6; Num. 19:4) and oil (Lev. 8:11; P. Jenson, NIDOTTE, 4:34-35)." (Bible Knowledge Key Word Study) Seven occurs 4x in Nu 19 - seven times here, and seven days once each in Nu 19:11, 14, 15. Phrase seven times is found 32x in 30v most often in Leviticus (9x with sprinkle = Lev 4:6 Lev 4:17 Lev 8:11 Lev 14:7 Lev 14:16 Lev 14:27 Lev 14:51 Lev 16:14 Lev 16:19) - Gen. 33:3; Lev. 4:6; Lev. 4:17; Lev. 8:11; Lev. 14:7; Lev. 14:16; Lev. 14:27; Lev. 14:51; Lev. 16:14; Lev. 16:19; Lev. 25:8; Lev. 26:18; Lev. 26:21; Lev. 26:24; Lev. 26:28; Num. 19:4; Jos. 6:4; Jos. 6:15; 1 Ki. 18:43; 2 Ki. 4:35; 2 Ki. 5:10; 2 Ki. 5:14; Ps. 12:6; Ps. 119:164; Prov. 24:16; Isa. 30:26; Dan. 3:19; Matt. 18:21; Matt. 18:22; Lk. 17:4 NT Parallel - In the New Testament, Jesus Christ spoke of blood during the Last Supper. In sharing a final meal with His followers, He said the wine represented His blood that would be poured out for us (Luke 22:20+). His blood was the seal of the new covenant of grace (1 Corinthians 11:25). His death on the cross was the perfect sacrifice on behalf of the sins of humanity and served as a fulfillment of the ritual sacrifices of the Old Testament. (GotQuestions.org) Related Resource: What is the biblical significance of the number seven/7? | GotQuestions.org Sprinkle (05137)(nazah) means to spatter or sprinkle (Hiphil) blood, oil, water either with the finger (Lev 4:6+ , Nu 19:4) or a something used for sprinkling (Lev 14:7+ ). The other Hebrew word for sprinkling (zaraq) refers to more robust sprinkling (cf Ex 9:8). The majority of occurrences are in the Hiphil stem, and they denote ceremonial sprinkling of blood (Lev. 5:9), oil (Lev. 8:11) or water (Num. 19:18) by the priest. Most of the uses refer to sprinkling of blood in the context of ritual cleansing from sin. Gilbrant - In passages which describe a cleansing for the purpose of ordination, blood is used in combination with oil (Exo. 29:21). Water (Nu 8:7) or oil alone (Lev. 8:11) was also used to consecrate men and material for divine service. The word nāzāh indicates in part "how much" blood is sprinkled. It signifies a use of the fingers or of a sprinkling device (Lev. 4:6). (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) TWOT adds "Sprinkling has reference to cleansing from sin (Isaiah 52:15; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 9:13-14) to obtain ritual purity. Its primary significance derives from its reference to "blood" sprinkling. This particular root is used with blood sprinklings which are lighter both as to how much blood is sprinkled and as to what is expiated (e.g. Leviticus 4:6; Leviticus 5:9; Leviticus 14:7, 51; Numbers 19:4). Expiation for unwitting sin (Leviticus 4:6) and original sin (Leviticus 16:14) are thus interrelated and yet differentiated (i.e. by the relationship between the "sprinkling" and the "smearing" cf. qāran). The prophesied servant of the Lord although considered impure" was to "expiate" the sins of the Gentiles (cf. E. J. Young op. cit., Isaiah 52:15—this pronouncement is quite important (Acts 8:32-37)." Nazah - 23x in 21v - splashed(1), splashes(1), sprinkle(16), sprinkled(4), sprinkles(1). - Ex 29:21; Lev. 4:6; Lev. 4:17; Lev. 5:9; Lev. 6:27; Lev. 8:11; Lev. 8:30; Lev. 14:7; Lev. 14:16; Lev. 14:27; Lev. 14:51; Lev. 16:14; Lev. 16:15; Lev. 16:19; Nu 19:4; Nu 19:18; Nu 19:19; Nu 19:21; 2 Ki. 9:33; Isa. 52:15; Isa. 63:3 Brooks on sprinkling - Since sprinkling blood here was specifically directed toward the tent, it symbolized the tent's purification from the uncleanness of the Israelites that is mentioned in the following verses. The sprinkling in the OT was a prototype of what Christ's sacrifice would accomplish. As a result of his sacrifice believers are sanctified (1 Pet. 1:2) and their hearts and consciences are cleansed by the spiritual sprinkling of his blood.... 1 Peter 1:2+ according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Comment - Sprinkled (4473) (rhantismos from rhaino = to sprinkle) means a scattering of drops of some liquid (usually blood, oil or water in Scripture) The corresponding Hebrew word (nazah) stresses the purpose whereas rhantismos stresses the process of sprinkling. Rhantismos is found four times in the Greek translation of the Hebrew (Septuagint) to describe the "water of sprinkling" (Nu 19:9). Hebrews 9:13-14+ For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh (EXTERNAL), 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience (INTERNAL) from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 10:22+ let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 12:24+ and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
Números 19
Constable - Ashes, which normally defiled the clean, in this case purified the unclean. God, who is sovereign, has the authority to abrogate what is normal. FSB writes that "Everyone living in the promised land must purify themselves to prevent contamination of the sanctuary and its sacred space (Num 19:13); contamination can be spread within the community (Nu 19:13, 20; compare Nu 31:19)." THOUGHT - This Old Testament provision for de-defiling and de-sinning foreshadowed the time when a fountain would be opened to cleanse the people from their impurities and sins (Zech 13:1). This was the psalmist’s hope (Ps 51:2, 7), Isaiah’s exhortation (Isa 1:16–18), and Ezekiel’s promise (Ezek 36:25). Its fulfillment under the new covenant comes not by animal blood and water (Heb 9:13–14) but rather by Jesus’ shed blood (1 John 1:7; 5:6; Rev 7:14). This cleansing is received by faith (Acts 15:9; 22:16; Heb 10:22) as a washing of the word (Eph 5:25–27) and cleansing by the Spirit (Titus 3:5). It is applied to the person who obeys the truth of the gospel (1 Pet 1:22). (Unger) Numbers 19:11 'The one who touches the corpse of any person shall be unclean for seven days. touches: He who touched a dead beast was only unclean for one day, (Lev 11:12, 27, 39;) but he who touches a dead man is unclean for seven days. This was certainly designed to show the peculiar impurity and sinfulness of man, and the hatefulness of sin, seven times worse than the vilest animal! Nu 19:16 5:2 9:6,10 31:19 Lev 11:31 21:1,11 La 4:14 Hag 2:13 Ro 5:12 2Co 6:17 Eph 2:1 Heb 9:14 person: Heb. soul of man Numbers 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries TOUCHING A CORPSE The one who touches the corpse (Heb - "the dead") of any person shall be unclean for seven days - Note person is actually the Hebrew word for soul of that person. I like that better as it reminds us of the defiling effects of sin as not external, on our skin, but internal, on our soul! As Peter exhorts us "Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain (present tense = this is a lifelong fight, a good fight of faith, a daily leaning into the supernatural provision of power of the Holy Spirit!) from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul (THERE IS THE BATTLEGROUND - OUR SOUL).." (1 Peter 2:11+) Touching a dead body in the OT was a shadow of the death dealing effects of sin (cf Ro 6:23+, James 1:15+) on the soul as described in the NT. THOUGHT - What’s picture/message of touching dead body? Obviously simply making contact with a dead body did not result in the Israelite dying, so what is the message? In the Garden, Adam's sin brought death (Ro 5:12+) and thus these instructions would remind the people of their sin, the defilement it brings and their need for cleansing (the need for a Savior!). Note that blood had to be shed to cleanse and restore the defiled person to fellowship with Yahweh. Availing oneself of the water of purification would bring ceremonial cleansing. The sprinkling of the water of purification reminds one of Ezekiel 36:25-27+ “ Then (ULTIMATELY THIS WILL BE FULLY FULFILLED AT THE SECOND COMING WHEN "ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED" - See notes on Ro 11:26; cf Zech 12:10-14+, Zech 13:8+) I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes (GOD'S ENABLING POWER), and you will be careful to observe My ordinances (OUR DAILY RESPONSIBILITY TO DEPEND ON THE SPIRIT'S ENABLEMENT)." Is this not a foreshadowing of the Cross and of the Gospel which gives good news of cleansing by the atoning precious blood of the Lamb of God available to those who recognize that they are sinners and their defilement before God. What Can Wash Away My Sin What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. For my cleansing this I see— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! For my pardon this my plea— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Nothing can my sin erase Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Naught of works, ’tis all of grace— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! This is all my hope and peace— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! This is all my righteousness— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Guzik makes an interesting point that "To be ceremonially unclean was not “sin,” as we might think of it; it meant that one was barred from their regular fellowship with and worship of God, and their fellowship with God’s people, until they were made clean. A wonderful parallel is found in John 13:5–11; if we are “bathed” by Jesus, we need only to have our feet washed, as they become unclean in the normal practice of life. Yet, if we do not let Jesus “wash” us, we have no part with Him. We must receive the beautiful once-for-all cleansing Jesus brings to us when we are born again; yet continually come to Him to be cleansed of the “day-to-day” things." Unger - Contact with animal carcasses caused only a one-day impurity (Lev 11:24–40); however, contact with a human corpse caused a seven-day impurity (Nu 19:11). Other seven-day impurity situations required only a sin offering on the eighth day: a new mother (Lev 12:2), a person with gonorrhea (Lev 15:13, 28), or a recovered leper (Lev 14:10). But contamination by a corpse was more severe, and thus it required sin offerings on the third and seventh days (Nu 19:12). (Ibid) FSB - The seven-day length of time is common for purification procedures (e.g., Lev 12:2; 14:9; 15:13). A purification offering was required on the eighth day or later depending on the contaminating circumstances (Lev 12:1–8; 14:10, 21–23; 15:14–15, 28–29). To be purified by contamination from a corpse, washing with the ashes mixed with water on the third and seventh days is substituted for the offering. NET Note on of any person - The expression is full: לְכָל־נֶפֶשׁ אָדָם (lékhol-nefesh ’adam)—of any life of a man, i.e., of any person. NET Note on unclean - The verb is a perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive; it follows only the participle used as the subject, but since the case is hypothetical and therefore future, this picks up the future time. The adjective “ceremonially” is supplied in the translation as a clarification. John Bennett - ASHES AND RUNNING WATER In Leviticus 6:10 we read of ‘the ashes of the burnt offering’. These speak of the intensity of the pleasure God found in the Lord Jesus. By contrast, the ashes of the red heifer speak of the intensity of wrath experienced on account of sin. The ashes were kept in store for future needs, v. 9. Each time defilement occurred they would be employed in ritualistic cleansing in a striking way. The ashes were mixed with running (or living) water and sprinkled on the unclean person, vv. 17–19. If the ashes speak of the sin-bearing of Christ, then running water speaks of the Holy Spirit applying the truth of these sufferings. It is instructive that two sprinklings were needed—on the third day and on the seventh day, v. 19. There could be no cleansing without both applications. This suggests to us two distinct ministries of the Holy Spirit with regard to the sufferings of Christ. First, there is a ministry of conviction, when the full horror of sin is brought home to the believer. It is only in the sufferings of Christ that we get a true appreciation of the dreadful character of sin. But then there is another ministry, that of confirmation. The Holy Spirit not only impresses upon us the terrible cost of sin to Christ, but also the fact that justice has been fully satisfied. Scripture is full of examples of this double ministry. When David sinned, Nathan’s first visit answers to the sprinkling on the third day. When the true character of sin was exposed to David and repentance had taken place, Nathan brought the message of assurance that forgiveness was granted—the sprinkling on the seventh day. The Corinthians were unaware of the seriousness of sin in the assembly until Paul wrote his first letter—the first sprinkling. After godly sorrow had produced repentance, he wrote his second letter to assure forgiveness—the second sprinkling. Perhaps we need the ashes and the running water today. The Holy Spirit would seek to apply these precious truths in order that defilement might be removed and communion restored. (Day by Day) Numbers 19:12 'That one shall purify himself from uncleanness with the water on the third day and on the seventh day, and then he will be clean; but if he does not purify himself on the third day and on the seventh day, he will not be clean. shall purify: "Yithchatta," literally, "he shall sin himself," i.e., not add sin, but take it away, purify. So we say to fleece, and to skin, which do not signify to add a fleece, or a skin, but to take one away. Nu 19:17,18 Ps 51:7 Eze 36:25 Ac 15:9 Rev 7:14 third day: Nu 31:19 Ex 19:11,15 Lev 7:17 Ho 6:2 1Co 15:3,4 Numbers 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries INSTRUCTION FOR PURIFICATION That one shall purify himself from uncleanness with the water on the third day and on the seventh day, and then he will be clean; but if he does not purify himself on the third day and on the seventh day, he will not be clean - The water of course refers to the water of purification, water mixed with ashes of the red heifer. As Brooks says "The seventh day did not automatically bring purification. Not time but washing (Lev. 14:9; Numbers 31:24), sprinkling (as here), and sacrifice (Lev. 12:6; 14:5-7; Lev 15:29; Num. 6:9) could cleanse. The seventh day was not magical, nor did God deem someone clean simply because the time had passed. Uncleanness had to be dealt with actively, not passively, according to his prescriptions."