Numbers 19:20

20 “But those who become defiled and do not purify themselves will be cut off from the community, for they have defiled the sanctuary of the LORD . Since the water of purification has not been sprinkled on them, they remain defiled.

Numbers 19:20 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 19:20

But the man that shall be unclean
By touching any dead body, bone, or grave:

and shall not purify himself;
with the water of purification:

that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation:
(See Gill on Numbers 19:13).

because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the Lord:
by going into it in his uncleanness:

the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him, he is
unclean;
and will remain so, for nothing else could purify him, see ( Numbers 19:13 ) .

Numbers 19:20 In-Context

18 Then someone who is ceremonially clean must take a hyssop branch and dip it into the water. That person must sprinkle the water on the tent, on all the furnishings in the tent, and on the people who were in the tent; also on the person who touched a human bone, or touched someone who was killed or who died naturally, or touched a grave.

19 On the third and seventh days the person who is ceremonially clean must sprinkle the water on those who are defiled. Then on the seventh day the people being cleansed must wash their clothes and bathe themselves, and that evening they will be cleansed of their defilement.

20 “But those who become defiled and do not purify themselves will be cut off from the community, for they have defiled the sanctuary of the LORD . Since the water of purification has not been sprinkled on them, they remain defiled.

21 This is a permanent law for the people. Those who sprinkle the water of purification must afterward wash their clothes, and anyone who then touches the water used for purification will remain defiled until evening.

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