Numbers 31:23

23 anything that won't burn--must be put through fire in order to make it clean. Then it must also be put through the ritual water in order to take away its sin. Whatever might burn must [only] be put through the ritual water.

Numbers 31:23 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 31:23

Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go
through the fire
Either through the smoke of the fire, and so be purified by suffumigation; or be put into the fire itself, where though they might be melted as the above things, yet not consumed as raiment, and vessels of skins, goats' hair, and wood, would be:

and it shall be clean;
accounted so:

nevertheless, it shall be purified with the water of separation;
with the water mixed with the ashes of the red heifer burnt, and sprinkled on it; see ( Numbers 19:9 )

and all that abideth not the fire;
without being consumed, as whatsoever is of wood

ye shall make go through the water;
dip them in it, and rinse them there with a quantity sufficient; which the Targum of Jonathan says is forty seahs of water.

Numbers 31:23 In-Context

21 Then the priest Eleazar said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, "This is what the LORD's teachings told Moses to do:

22 Any gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, or lead--

23 anything that won't burn--must be put through fire in order to make it clean. Then it must also be put through the ritual water in order to take away its sin. Whatever might burn must [only] be put through the ritual water.

24 On the seventh day wash your clothes, and you will be clean. Then you may come into the camp."

25 The LORD said to Moses,