Numbers 19:22
New International Version
Anything that an unclean person touches becomes unclean, and anyone who touches it becomes unclean till evening.”

New Living Translation
Anything and anyone that a defiled person touches will be ceremonially unclean until evening.”

English Standard Version
And whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean, and anyone who touches it shall be unclean until evening.”

Berean Standard Bible
Anything the unclean person touches will become unclean, and anyone who touches it will be unclean until evening.”

King James Bible
And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.

New King James Version
Whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the person who touches it shall be unclean until evening.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Furthermore, anything that the unclean person touches will be unclean; and the person who touches it will be unclean until evening.’”

NASB 1995
Furthermore, anything that the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the person who touches it shall be unclean until evening.’”

NASB 1977
‘Furthermore, anything that the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the person who touches it shall be unclean until evening.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Furthermore, anything that the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the person who touches it shall be unclean until evening.’”

Amplified Bible
Furthermore, anything the unclean person touches shall be unclean, and anyone who touches it shall be [ceremonially] unclean until evening.’”

Christian Standard Bible
Anything the unclean person touches will become unclean, and anyone who touches it will be unclean until evening.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Anything the unclean person touches will become unclean, and anyone who touches it will be unclean until evening.”

American Standard Version
And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.

Contemporary English Version
When you are unclean, everything you touch becomes unclean, and anyone who touches you will be unclean until evening.

English Revised Version
And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Anything that an unclean person touches becomes unclean, and the person who touches it will be unclean until evening."

Good News Translation
Whatever an unclean person touches is unclean, and anyone else who touches it remains unclean until evening.

International Standard Version
Furthermore, anything that the unclean person touches is to be considered unclean and the person who touches him is to be considered unclean until the evening."

Majority Standard Bible
Anything the unclean person touches will become unclean, and anyone who touches it will be unclean until evening.?

NET Bible
And whatever the unclean person touches will be unclean, and the person who touches it will be unclean until evening.'"

New Heart English Bible
"Whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the soul that touches it shall be unclean until evening."

Webster's Bible Translation
And whatever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until the evening.

World English Bible
“Whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the soul that touches it shall be unclean until evening.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and all against which the unclean person comes is unclean, and the person who is coming against [it] is unclean until the evening.”

Young's Literal Translation
and all against which the unclean person cometh is unclean, and the person who is coming against it is unclean till the evening.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And all which the unclean shall touch upon it, shall be unclean; and the soul touching shall be unclean till the evening.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whatsoever a person toucheth who is unclean, he shall make it unclean: and the person that toucheth any of these things, shall be unclean until the evening.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whatever has been touched by something unclean will itself be made unclean. And the soul who touches any of these things shall become unclean until evening.”

New American Bible
Moreover, anything that the unclean person touches becomes unclean itself, and the one who touches such a person becomes unclean until evening.

New Revised Standard Version
Whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean, and anyone who touches it shall be unclean until evening.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the person who touches it shall be unclean until evening.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And everything that he will touch shall be very defiled, and the person who will touch it shall be defiled until evening.’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth him shall be unclean until even.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And whatsoever the unclean man shall touch shall be unclean, and the soul that touches it shall be unclean till evening.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Purification of the Unclean
21This is a permanent statute for the people: The one who sprinkles the water of purification must wash his clothes, and whoever touches the water of purification will be unclean until evening. 22Anything the unclean person touches will become unclean, and anyone who touches it will be unclean until evening.”

Cross References
Leviticus 15:4-12
Any bed on which the man with the discharge lies will be unclean, and any furniture on which he sits will be unclean. / Anyone who touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. / Whoever sits on furniture on which the man with the discharge was sitting must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening. ...

Leviticus 11:24-28
These creatures will make you unclean. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening, / and whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening. / Every animal with hooves not completely divided or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you. Whoever touches any of them will be unclean. ...

Leviticus 22:4-6
If a descendant of Aaron has a skin disease or a discharge, he may not eat the sacred offerings until he is clean. Whoever touches anything defiled by a corpse or by a man who has an emission of semen, / or whoever touches a crawling creature or a person that makes him unclean, whatever the uncleanness may be— / the man who touches any of these will remain unclean until evening. He must not eat from the sacred offerings unless he has bathed himself with water.

Haggai 2:13-14
So Haggai asked, “If one who is defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?” “Yes, it becomes defiled,” the priests answered. / Then Haggai replied, “So it is with this people and this nation before Me, declares the LORD, and so it is with every work of their hands; whatever they offer there is defiled.

Leviticus 5:2-3
Or if a person touches anything unclean—whether the carcass of any unclean wild animal or livestock or crawling creature—even if he is unaware of it, he is unclean and guilty. / Or if he touches human uncleanness—anything by which one becomes unclean—even if he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, he is guilty.

Leviticus 7:19-21
Meat that touches anything unclean must not be eaten; it is to be burned up. As for any other meat, anyone who is ceremonially clean may eat it. / But if anyone who is unclean eats meat from the peace offering that belongs to the LORD, that person must be cut off from his people. / If one touches anything unclean, whether human uncleanness, an unclean animal, or any unclean, detestable thing, and then eats any of the meat of the peace offering that belongs to the LORD, that person must be cut off from his people.”

Leviticus 14:46-47
Anyone who enters the house during any of the days that it is closed up will be unclean until evening. / And anyone who sleeps in the house or eats in it must wash his clothes.

Leviticus 21:1-4
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people, / except for his immediate family—his mother, father, son, daughter, or brother, / or his unmarried sister who is near to him, since she has no husband. ...

Hebrews 9:13-14
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / 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!

2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Isaiah 52:11
Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.

Matthew 23:27-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Mark 7:2-4
and they saw some of His disciples eating with hands that were defiled—that is, unwashed. / Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially. / And on returning from the market, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions for them to observe, including the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches for dining.

Luke 11:44
Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.”

Acts 10:14-15
“No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” / The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”


Treasury of Scripture

And whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the soul that touches it shall be unclean until even.

whosoever

Leviticus 7:19
And the flesh that toucheth any unclean thing shall not be eaten; it shall be burnt with fire: and as for the flesh, all that be clean shall eat thereof.

Haggai 2:13
Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.

the soul

Leviticus 15:5
And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

Matthew 15:19,20
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: …

Mark 7:21-23
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, …

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Evening Soul Touched Touches Toucheth Touching Unclean Whatever Whatsoever
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Evening Soul Touched Touches Toucheth Touching Unclean Whatever Whatsoever
Numbers 19
1. The water of separation made of the ashes of a red heifer
11. The law for the use of it in purification of the unclean














Anything the unclean person touches will become unclean
This phrase emphasizes the pervasive nature of ritual impurity in the Old Testament law. In the context of Numbers 19, the focus is on the purification process involving the ashes of a red heifer, which was used to cleanse those who had come into contact with a dead body. The concept of uncleanness is central to the Levitical laws, highlighting the separation between the holy and the profane. This principle underscores the need for holiness and purity among God's people, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45, where God calls His people to be holy as He is holy. The idea of impurity spreading through contact also serves as a metaphor for sin, which can corrupt and defile.

and anyone who touches it will be unclean until evening.
The temporary nature of the uncleanness, lasting only until evening, reflects the merciful provision within the law for restoration and cleansing. This period allowed for reflection and repentance, pointing to the need for spiritual renewal. The evening marks a new day in the Hebrew calendar, symbolizing a fresh start and the hope of purification. This concept is echoed in Lamentations 3:22-23, where God's mercies are described as new every morning. The cleansing process foreshadows the ultimate purification through Jesus Christ, who provides a permanent solution to sin and impurity, as seen in Hebrews 9:13-14, where Christ's sacrifice is described as cleansing our consciences from acts that lead to death.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God, including the laws of purification.

2. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest, who played a role in the implementation of these laws.

3. Israelites
The people to whom these laws were given, as they journeyed through the wilderness.

4. The Tabernacle
The dwelling place of God among the Israelites, where purity laws were especially significant.

5. The Red Heifer
The sacrifice used in the purification process described earlier in Numbers 19, which is contextually related to this verse.
Teaching Points
Understanding Ritual Purity
The laws of cleanliness in Numbers 19:22 highlight the importance of ritual purity in maintaining a relationship with God. They remind us of the holiness required to approach Him.

Symbolism of Cleanliness
The physical laws of cleanliness symbolize the spiritual purity God desires. They point to the need for inner transformation, not just outward compliance.

The Contagious Nature of Sin
Just as uncleanness could be transferred by touch, sin can spread and affect others. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts and actions.

The Role of Christ in Purification
The Old Testament purification rituals foreshadow the ultimate cleansing through Jesus Christ. His sacrifice purifies us from all sin, making us clean before God.

Daily Spiritual Hygiene
Just as the Israelites had to be mindful of physical cleanliness, we should practice daily spiritual hygiene through prayer, confession, and repentance.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Anything
וְכֹ֛ל (wə·ḵōl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the unclean
הַטָּמֵ֖א (haṭ·ṭā·mê)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2931: Unclean

person touches
יִגַּע־ (yig·ga‘-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

will become unclean,
יִטְמָ֑א (yiṭ·mā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

and anyone
וְהַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ (wə·han·ne·p̄eš)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

who touches it
הַנֹּגַ֖עַת (han·nō·ḡa·‘aṯ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

will be unclean
תִּטְמָ֥א (tiṭ·mā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

evening.”
הָעָֽרֶב׃ (hā·‘ā·reḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening


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OT Law: Numbers 19:22 Whatever the unclean person touches shall be (Nu Num.)
Numbers 19:21
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