And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe
his flesh in water
In forty seahs of water, as the Targum of Jonathan; that is, everyone of those that burnt them, as Aben Ezra observes; for these being sin offerings, and had a connection with the sins of men, for whom they were offered, the persons concerned in the carrying and burning of them were equally defiled, and needed washing, as the man that led and let go the goat into the wilderness: and afterwards he shall come into the camp;
and have the liberty of conversation with men in civil and religious things, but not till evening; so long he was defiled; and according to the Misnah F21 from the time they got without the walls of the court; and after washing and bathing, and when the evening was come, they were clean; and might go where they pleased.