The Church Fathers on this verse

Numbers 19:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is the law of a man that dieth in a tent: All that go into his tent and all the vessels that are there, shall be unclean seven days.

Douay-Rheims

זֹ֚את הַתּוֹרָ֔ה אָדָ֖ם כִּֽי־יָמ֣וּת בְּאֹ֑הֶל כָּל־הַבָּ֤א אֶל־הָאֹ֙הֶל֙ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּאֹ֔הֶל יִטְמָ֖א שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

Should a dwelling be rendered unclean by the presence of a deceased individual, all who enter are likewise rendered unclean. Likewise, every utensil and uncovered vessel becomes contaminated. Yet, through the purifying water, these items may regain their cleanliness on the third and seventh day. The defiled house, along with its utensils and uncovered vessels, reflects the Jewish multitude that conspired to bring about the Lord's death, which may be interpreted collectively as the house and individually as each vessel; for humanity can be likened to a vessel on this earth.

Read more (60 words)

The susceptibility of their minds to contamination and all that can bring harm is clearly symbolized by the uncovered vessels, which are vulnerable to being tainted by unclean entities such as lizards or similar creatures residing within the house. In contrast, the minds of those justified through faith are steadfast and shielded, impervious to the influences that typically cause defilement.