Numbers 19:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Touching a slain person, corpse, human bones, or a grave causes seven days of uncleanness.
The Context of Numbers 19:16
Multiple forms of death-contact produce the same uncleanness.
What Does Numbers 19:16 Mean?
Contact with death—whether from violence, natural causes, skeletal remains, or a burial site—all carry the same level of ritual uncleanness. The law covers multiple contexts where death may be encountered.
Each type of contact results in the same seven-day impurity period. This breadth of coverage protects the community from uncleanness arising from various death-related situations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 19:16
What does Numbers 19:16 mean?
Touching a slain person, corpse, human bones, or a grave causes seven days of uncleanness.
What is the context of Numbers 19:16?
Multiple forms of death-contact produce the same uncleanness.