Unclean Removed from Camp
Numbers 5:1-4
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Revelation
Num.5.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Numbers 1:1 (verbal): Uses the same introductory formula (‘And the LORD spake unto Moses…’) to introduce divine instructions in the book of Numbers, showing the recurring narrative device that frames commands given through Moses.
- Exodus 20:1 (structural): The same construction (‘And God spake all these words, saying…’) functions to introduce a major block of divine commandments (the Ten Commandments); parallels Num.5.1 in its role as a lead‑in to legal material.
- Leviticus 1:1 (verbal): Leviticus opens with a closely related priestly/legal summons (‘And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him…’), mirroring the canonical formula that introduces cultic and law‑giving speech to Moses.
- Joshua 1:1 (thematic): ‘And it came to pass after the death of Moses… that the LORD spake unto Joshua…’ — thematically parallel as divine speech commissioning the leader and transmitting instructions to Israel, continuing the pattern of revelation to a mediator.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Num.5.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- צו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כל: DET
- צרוע: ADJ,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- זב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- טמא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לנפש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 13:45-46 (verbal): Prescribes that a person with a defiling skin disease must live 'outside the camp' and be declared unclean—closely parallels the command to send the unclean out of the camp.
- Leviticus 15:31 (thematic): Emphasizes separating Israel from ritual uncleanness so the community and the sanctuary are not defiled—same rationale for removing the unclean from the camp.
- Deuteronomy 23:10-11 (verbal): Commands that the unclean person must go outside the camp and remain there until evening (after washing), echoing the practice of excluding the unclean from the camp.
- Numbers 12:14-15 (structural): Narrative instance where Miriam, struck with leprosy, is shut out of the camp seven days—an applied example of the exclusion rule found in Num 5:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- Command the people of Israel and have them send out from the camp every one who has tzaraʿat, every man who has a discharge, and anyone who is ceremonially unclean because of contact with the dead.
- Command the people of Israel and have them send out of the camp every leper, every person with a bodily discharge, and anyone who is ritually unclean because of contact with a dead body.
Num.5.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מזכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- נקבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תשלחו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- מחוץ: PREP
- למחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תשלחום: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- יטמאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- מחניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- שכן: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- בתוכם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 5:2 (structural): Immediate context: commands separation of the unclean from the camp; 5:3 restates/expands the instruction to send them outside so the camp is not defiled.
- Leviticus 13:46 (verbal): Uses the same wording about the afflicted person 'dwelling alone outside the camp' (sending the unclean outside) in the law concerning infectious skin disease.
- Leviticus 15:31 (thematic): Commands Israel to keep themselves separate from uncleanness so they do not 'defile' the tabernacle among them—same concern for holiness where God dwells and removal of defilement.
- Deuteronomy 23:14 (thematic): Explains that the camp must be kept holy because the LORD walks in the midst of it and therefore unclean things/persons are to be kept outside—parallels the motive and rationale in Num 5:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- From male to female you shall send them outside the camp; you shall send them forth — that they not defile your camp, in the midst of which I dwell.
- From the male even to the female you shall send them outside the camp; send them outside the camp so that they do not defile their camps, in which I dwell among them.
Num.5.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כן: ADV
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- אל: NEG
- מחוץ: PREP
- למחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כן: ADV
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 5:1-3 (structural): Immediate context: the same command to send those with bodily uncleanness outside the camp; the present verse records Israel's obedience to this instruction.
- Leviticus 13:45-46 (verbal): Prescribes that a person with infectious skin disease shall dwell 'outside the camp' and 'be unclean,' using the same language and practice of exile for ceremonial impurity.
- Deuteronomy 23:12-14 (thematic): Requires a place outside the camp for human waste and stresses keeping the camp holy because God walks among Israel—same concern for removing impurity from the community.
- Leviticus 15:31 (thematic): Commands separation of the community from those who are ritually unclean so the sanctuary remains undefiled; reinforces the logic behind sending the unclean outside the camp.
- Hebrews 13:11-13 (allusion): Uses the OT idea of bodies/unclean things being removed 'outside the camp' to portray Jesus' suffering outside the gate and the removal of sin—New Testament theological echo of the practice.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people of Israel did so; they sent them outside the camp, as the LORD had commanded Moses, so the people of Israel did.
- And the people of Israel did so; they sent them outside the camp, as the LORD had spoken to Moses.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
“Command the sons of Israel: Send out of the camp every leper, every man who has a discharge, and anyone unclean through contact with a corpse.
Whether male or female you shall send them outside the camp; you shall send them, lest they defile their camp in which I dwell among them.” And the children of Israel did so; they sent them outside the camp, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses—so the children of Israel did.