Bible Commentaries
Numbers 19

Verses 1-22

Chapter 19

And then in chapter nineteen this ordinance of the red heifer. Where they were to

bring in a red heifer without spot, wherein there is no blemish, upon which there have never been placed a yoke: And they were to give it to Eleazar the priest, who is the son of Aaron, and he may bring her forth without the camp and slay her: And take the blood with his finger, and spread the blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times: And then to burn the heifer completely. And they are to take the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. The priest was to wash his clothes, and then he was to bathe and come back into the camp. And the one that burned the heifer was also to wash their clothes and would be unclean until evening ( Numbers 19:2-8 ).

As was Eliezer who had burned it. But a man who was ceremonially clean was to gather the ashes together. And they were to somehow make, sprinkle these with water and make a water for anointing some a symbol of cleansing. And the things were to be purified by this water of this red heifer that was sacrificed. Now there are those who see in this red heifer analogies to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the washing that we have through His Word and through the Spirit.

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