Numbers 31:23

Translations

Modern

…everything that can withstand the fire—must be put through the fire, and it will be clean. But it must still be purified with the water of purification. And everything that cannot withstand the fire must pass through the water.

Traditional

Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water.

Literal

…everything that can endure the fire—you shall put through the fire, and it shall be clean. Nevertheless, with the water of purification it shall be cleansed from sin. And all that cannot endure the fire, you shall put through the water.

Latin

…et omne, quod potest transire per flammas, igne purgabitur: quidquid autem ignem non potest sustinere, aqua expiationis sanctificabitur:

Original

Hebrew

English

…everything that can withstand the fire—must be put through the fire, and it will be clean. But it must still be purified with the water of purification. And everything that cannot withstand the fire must pass through the water.

Notes

Numbers 31:19–24

Israelite soldiers who touched dead bodies became ceremonially unclean (ritually impure). They had to go through the required purification rituals.

These rituals were routine, but they were important. They also had to purify their equipment (see 5:1–4; 19:1–22).

Theme notes and profiles

Moses

Related verses

Numbers 19:9
Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to gather up the ashes of the heifer and store them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They must be kept by the congregation of Israel for preparing the water of purification; this is for purification from sin.
1 Corinthians 3:13
…his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.
Numbers 19:17
For the purification of the unclean person, take some of the ashes of the burnt sin offering, put them in a jar, and pour fresh water over them.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Matthew 3:11
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Titus 3:5–6
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Numbers 8:7
This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.
Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
Leviticus 15:17
Any clothing or leather on which there is an emission of semen must be washed with water, and it will remain unclean until evening.
Malachi 2:2–3
If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to honor My name,” says the LORD of Hosts, “I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already begun to curse them, because you are not taking it to heart.
1 Peter 3:21
And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Leviticus 11:32
When one of them dies and falls on something, that article becomes unclean; any article of wood, clothing, leather, sackcloth, or any implement used for work must be rinsed with water and will remain unclean until evening; then it will be clean.

Glossary

Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of Water of Separation

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Purifications Copper Brass: Taken in War: Cleansed by Fire Fire: Purifying Iron: Mode of Purifying, Taken in War Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: Midianites Destroyed and Balaam Slain Metals: Ceremonially Cleansed by Fire Purification by Fire, for Things That Resist Fire Purification for Those Who had Recently Killed Someone in Battle Purification: Water of Sanitation: Disinfection Silver: Taken in War Purified by Fire The Armies of Israel: Purified on Returning from War

Numbers 31:23

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