CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 5:3 You must send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/5-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/04_Num_05_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 5:3 - Cleansing the Camps" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You must send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/5-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/5-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/5-2.htm" title="Numbers 5:2">◄</a> Numbers 5:3 <a href="/numbers/5-4.htm" title="Numbers 5:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/numbers/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/numbers/5.htm">New International Version</a> Send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/numbers/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> This command applies to men and women alike. Remove them so they will not defile the camp in which I live among them.” <a href="/esv/numbers/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> You shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.” <a href="/bsb/numbers/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> You must send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.” <a href="/kjv/numbers/5.htm">King James Bible</a> Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell. <a href="/nkjv/numbers/5.htm">New King James Version</a> You shall put out both male and female; you shall put them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camps in the midst of which I dwell.” <a href="/nasb_/numbers/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> You shall send away both male and female; you shall send them outside the camp so that they do not defile their camp where I dwell in their midst.” <a href="/nasb/numbers/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220You shall send away both male and female; you shall send them outside the camp so that they will not defile their camp where I dwell in their midst.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/numbers/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “You shall send away both male and female; you shall send them outside the camp so that they will not defile their camp where I dwell in their midst.” <a href="/lsb/numbers/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> You shall send away both male and female; you shall send them outside the camp so that they will not defile their camp where I dwell in their midst.” <a href="/amp/numbers/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> You shall send away both male and female; you shall send them outside the camp so that they will not defile their camp where I dwell in their midst.” <a href="/csb/numbers/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Send away both male or female; send them outside the camp, so that they will not defile their camps where I dwell among them.” <a href="/hcsb/numbers/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> You must send away both male or female; send them outside the camp, so that they will not defile their camps where I dwell among them.&#8221 <a href="/asv/numbers/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camp, in the midst whereof I dwell. <a href="/erv/numbers/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camp, in the midst whereof I dwell. <a href="/gwt/numbers/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Send all of these unclean men and women outside the camp. They must not make this camp where I live among you unclean." <a href="/gnt/numbers/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Send all these ritually unclean people out, so that they will not defile the camp, where I live among my people." <a href="/isv/numbers/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> Whether male or female, send them outside the camp so that they won't defile their camp, because I live among them." <a href="/msb/numbers/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> You must send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.? <a href="/net/numbers/5.htm">NET Bible</a> You must expel both men and women; you must put them outside the camp, so that they will not defile their camps, among which I live." <a href="/nheb/numbers/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Both you shall put male and female outside of the camp; that they not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell." <a href="/wbt/numbers/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst of which I dwell. <a href="/web/numbers/5.htm">World English Bible</a> You shall put both male and female outside of the camp so that they don’t defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/numbers/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> you send out from male even to female; you send them to the outside of the camp and they do not defile their camps in the midst of which I dwell.” <a href="/ylt/numbers/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> from male unto female ye do send out; unto the outside of the camp ye do send them; and they defile not their camps in the midst of which I do tabernacle.' <a href="/slt/numbers/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> From male even to female ye shall send them forth, without the camp shall ye send them; and they shall not defile their camp where I dwell in the midst of them.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/numbers/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Whether it be man or woman, cast ye them out of the camp, lest they defile it when I shall dwell with you. <a href="/cpdv/numbers/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> cast out of the camp both male and female, lest they contaminate it while I am dwelling with you.” <a href="/nabre/numbers/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Male and female alike, you shall expel them. You shall expel them from the camp so that they do not defile their camp, where I dwell in their midst. <a href="/nrsvce/numbers/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> you shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp; they must not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/numbers/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Both male and female shall you put outside the camp, that they may not defile your camps, for I dwell among you. <a href="/hpbt/numbers/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> From male and unto female you shall put out them outside of the camp and they shall not defile your camps, for I dwell among you.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/numbers/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camp, in the midst whereof I dwell.' <a href="/sep/numbers/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Whether male or female, send them forth out of the camp; and they shall not defile their camps in which I dwell among them. <a href="/parallel/numbers/5-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=1465" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/numbers/5.htm">Cleansing the Camps</a> …2“Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone with a skin disease, anyone who has a bodily discharge, and anyone who is defiled by a dead body. 3<a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: tə·šal·lê·ḥū (V-Piel-Imperf-2mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">You must send away</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: miz·zā·ḵār (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">male</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/5347.htm" title="5347: nə·qê·ḇāh (N-fs) -- A female. From naqab; female.">female alike;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: tə·šal·lə·ḥūm (V-Piel-Imperf-2mp:: 3mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">send them</a> <a href="/hebrew/2351.htm" title="2351: mi·ḥūṣ (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- The outside, a street. Or chuts; from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors.">outside</a> <a href="/hebrew/4264.htm" title="4264: lam·ma·ḥă·neh (Prep-l, Art:: N-cs) -- An encampment, camp. From chanah; an encampment; hence, an army, whether literal or figurative.">the camp</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">so they will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2930.htm" title="2930: yə·ṭam·mə·’ū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To be or become unclean. A primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense.">defile</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4264.htm" title="4264: ma·ḥă·nê·hem (N-cpc:: 3mp) -- An encampment, camp. From chanah; an encampment; hence, an army, whether literal or figurative.">their camp,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">where</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/7931.htm" title="7931: šō·ḵên (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root (by transmission) to shakab through the idea of lodging; compare cikluwth, shakam); to reside or permanently stay.">dwell</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: bə·ṯō·w·ḵām (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">among them.”</a> 4So the Israelites did this, sending such people outside the camp. They did just as the LORD had instructed Moses.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/leviticus/13-46.htm">Leviticus 13:46</a> As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp. <a href="/leviticus/15-31.htm">Leviticus 15:31</a> You must keep the children of Israel separate from their uncleanness, so that they do not die by defiling My tabernacle, which is among them. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-14.htm">Deuteronomy 23:14</a> For the LORD your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, lest He see anything unclean among you and turn away from you. <a href="/leviticus/7-20.htm">Leviticus 7:20-21</a> 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.” <a href="/leviticus/22-3.htm">Leviticus 22:3-4</a> Tell them that for the generations to come, if any of their descendants in a state of uncleanness approaches the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to the LORD, that person must be cut off from My presence. I am the LORD. / 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, <a href="/2_kings/7-3.htm">2 Kings 7:3</a> Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate, and they said to one another, “Why just sit here until we die? <a href="/2_chronicles/26-21.htm">2 Chronicles 26:21</a> So King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He lived in isolation, leprous and cut off from the house of the LORD, while his son Jotham had charge of the royal palace and governed the people of the land. <a href="/isaiah/52-11.htm">Isaiah 52:11</a> Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. <a href="/ezekiel/44-23.htm">Ezekiel 44:23</a> They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean. <a href="/lamentations/1-17.htm">Lamentations 1:17</a> Zion stretches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. The LORD has decreed against Jacob that his neighbors become his foes. Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them. <a href="/matthew/8-2.htm">Matthew 8:2-4</a> Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. / Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.” <a href="/mark/1-40.htm">Mark 1:40-45</a> Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” / And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed. ... <a href="/luke/5-12.htm">Luke 5:12-14</a> While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. / “Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” <a href="/luke/17-12.htm">Luke 17:12-19</a> As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance / and raised their voices, shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” / When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were on their way, they were cleansed. ... <a href="/acts/10-28.htm">Acts 10:28</a> He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Both male and female shall you put out, without the camp shall you put them; that they defile not their camps, in the middle whereof I dwell.without<a href="/1_kings/7-3.htm">1 Kings 7:3</a> And it was covered with cedar above upon the beams, that lay on forty five pillars, fifteen in a row.<a href="/1_corinthians/5-13.htm">1 Corinthians 5:13</a> But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.<a href="/2_corinthians/6-17.htm">2 Corinthians 6:17</a> Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,defile not<a href="/numbers/19-22.htm">Numbers 19:22</a> And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.<a href="/haggai/2-13.htm">Haggai 2:13,14</a> 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… in the midst<a href="/leviticus/26-11.htm">Leviticus 26:11,12</a> And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you… <a href="/deuteronomy/23-14.htm">Deuteronomy 23:14</a> For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.<a href="/psalms/68-18.htm">Psalm 68:18</a> Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/7-10.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/numbers/5-2.htm">Camp</a> <a href="/numbers/2-32.htm">Camps</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-8.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-32.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-7.htm">Female</a> <a href="/numbers/3-46.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/4-18.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/numbers/5-2.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/numbers/4-8.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/numbers/4-47.htm">Tabernacle</a> <a href="/numbers/5-2.htm">Tent-Circle</a> <a href="/numbers/5-2.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-9.htm">Whereof</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/1-17.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/numbers/5-4.htm">Camp</a> <a href="/numbers/10-2.htm">Camps</a> <a href="/numbers/6-9.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/numbers/13-18.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/numbers/15-27.htm">Female</a> <a href="/numbers/6-12.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/8-6.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/numbers/5-4.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-7.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/numbers/10-33.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/numbers/5-17.htm">Tabernacle</a> <a href="/numbers/5-4.htm">Tent-Circle</a> <a href="/numbers/5-20.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/numbers/7-19.htm">Whereof</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 5</div>1. <a href="/numbers/5-1.htm">The unclean are removed out of camp</a> 5. <a href="/numbers/5-5.htm">Restitution is to be made in trespass</a> 11. <a href="/numbers/5-11.htm">The trial of jealously</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>You must send away male and female alike; This directive emphasizes the impartiality of God's law, applying equally to both genders. In the context of ancient Israel, this command reflects the communal responsibility to maintain purity and holiness. The inclusion of both male and female underscores the comprehensive nature of the law, ensuring that no one is exempt from the requirements of ritual cleanliness. This principle of equality before the law is echoed in <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>, where Paul speaks of the equal standing of all believers in Christ.send them outside the camp The camp of Israel was not just a physical dwelling place but a representation of the community's spiritual state. Being sent outside the camp symbolized separation from the holy presence of God and the community. This act of exclusion was necessary to maintain the sanctity of the camp, which was considered holy ground. The concept of being outside the camp is later seen in the New Testament, where Jesus suffered outside the city gates (<a href="/hebrews/13-12.htm">Hebrews 13:12-13</a>), symbolizing His bearing of sin and separation for humanity's sake.so they will not defile their camp, The concern for defilement highlights the importance of purity in the presence of God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, defilement was not just a physical state but a spiritual one that could affect the entire community. The Israelites were called to be a holy nation (<a href="/exodus/19-6.htm">Exodus 19:6</a>), and maintaining purity was essential to fulfilling this calling. This principle of avoiding defilement is seen throughout the Levitical laws and is a precursor to the New Testament teaching on holiness and sanctification (<a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">1 Peter 1:15-16</a>).where I dwell among them.” The presence of God among the Israelites was a defining feature of their identity as His chosen people. The tabernacle, located at the center of the camp, was the physical manifestation of God's dwelling among His people. This divine presence required a standard of holiness and purity, as God is holy (<a href="/leviticus/11-44.htm">Leviticus 11:44-45</a>). The concept of God dwelling among His people finds its ultimate fulfillment in the incarnation of Jesus Christ (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers (<a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16</a>), signifying God's continual presence with His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God who were journeying through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. They were receiving laws and instructions from God through Moses. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_camp.htm">The Camp</a> The encampment of the Israelites in the wilderness, which was to be kept holy as it was the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. 3. <a href="/topical/l/leper.htm">Leper</a> A person afflicted with leprosy, a skin disease that rendered them ceremonially unclean according to the Law of Moses. 4. <a href="/topical/t/those_with_a_discharge.htm">Those with a Discharge</a> Individuals experiencing bodily discharges, which also made them ceremonially unclean. 5. <a href="/topical/t/those_defiled_by_a_dead_body.htm">Those Defiled by a Dead Body</a> People who had come into contact with a corpse, rendering them unclean under the Mosaic Law.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_purity.htm">Holiness and Purity</a> God’s command to remove the unclean from the camp underscores His holiness and the need for His people to maintain purity in their community. <a href="/topical/s/separation_for_sanctification.htm">Separation for Sanctification</a> The physical separation of the unclean serves as a metaphor for spiritual separation from sin and impurity in the life of a believer. <a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a> The Israelites were collectively responsible for maintaining the holiness of the camp, reminding us of the importance of accountability within the church. <a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_cleansing.htm">Symbolism of Cleansing</a> The cleansing rituals point to the ultimate cleansing from sin provided through Jesus Christ, who purifies us and makes us holy.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 5</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_hacking.htm">What does the Bible say about being defiled?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_assent_different_from_saving_faith.htm">Does Numbers 5 depict God commanding abortion?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_lev_16_8-10_justify_scapegoating.htm">How can Leviticus 16:8-10 justify transferring a community's sins onto a literal goat to be set free?</a> <a href="/q/can_'bitter_water'_detect_infidelity.htm">How can the 'bitter water' of Numbers 5:11-31 scientifically detect infidelity?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - That they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell. Cleanliness, decency, and the anxious removal even of unwitting pollutions were things due to God himself, and part of the awful reverence to be paid to his presence in the midst of Israel. It is of course easy to depreciate the value of such outward cleanness, as compared with inward; but when we consider the frightful prevalence of filthiness in Christian countries (1) of person and dress, (2) of talk, (3) of habit in respect of things not so much sinful as uncleanly, . . . <a href="/commentaries/numbers/5-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>You must send away תְּשַׁלֵּ֔חוּ (tə·šal·lê·ḥū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out male מִזָּכָ֤ר (miz·zā·ḵār) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2145.htm">Strong's 2145: </a> Remembered, a male and עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while female alike; נְקֵבָה֙ (nə·qê·ḇāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5347.htm">Strong's 5347: </a> A female send them תְּשַׁלְּח֑וּם (tə·šal·lə·ḥūm) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out outside מִח֥וּץ (mi·ḥūṣ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2351.htm">Strong's 2351: </a> Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors the camp, לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה (lam·ma·ḥă·neh) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4264.htm">Strong's 4264: </a> An encampment, an army so that they will not וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no defile יְטַמְּאוּ֙ (yə·ṭam·mə·’ū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2930.htm">Strong's 2930: </a> To be or become unclean their camp מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔ם (ma·ḥă·nê·hem) Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4264.htm">Strong's 4264: </a> An encampment, an army where אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that I אֲנִ֖י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I dwell שֹׁכֵ֥ן (šō·ḵên) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7931.htm">Strong's 7931: </a> To settle down, abide, dwell among them.” בְּתוֹכָֽם׃ (bə·ṯō·w·ḵām) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> A bisection, the centre <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/5-3.htm">Numbers 5:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/numbers/5-3.htm">Numbers 5:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/numbers/5-3.htm">Numbers 5:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/numbers/5-3.htm">Numbers 5:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/numbers/5-3.htm">Numbers 5:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/5-3.htm">Numbers 5:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/5-3.htm">Numbers 5:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/5-3.htm">Numbers 5:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/5-3.htm">Numbers 5:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/numbers/5-3.htm">Numbers 5:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/numbers/5-3.htm">OT Law: Numbers 5:3 Both you shall put male and female (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/5-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 5:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 5:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/5-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 5:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 5:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>