Num 19:2-9 | TSK | e4.org | the ordinance ; a red heifer The following curious particulars have been remarked in this ordinance: 1. A heifer was appointed for sacrifice, in opposition to the Egyptian superstition, which held these sacred, and worshipped their goddess Isis under this form; and this appears the more likely, because males only were chosen for sacrifice. So Herodotus says, they sacrifice males, both old and young; but it is not lawful for them to offer females. 2. It was to be a red heifer, because the Egyptians sacrificed red bulls to the evil demon Typhon. 3. It was to be without spot, having no mixture of any other colour. Plutarch says, the Egyptians "sacrifice red bulls, and select them with such scrupulous attention, that if the animal has a single black or white hair, they reckon it αθυτον , unfit to be sacrificed." 4. Without blemish. (See note on .) 5. On which never came yoke. Because an animal which had been used for a common purpose was deemed improper for sacrifice. ; ; ; no blemish ; ; ; ; ; ; upon which ; ; ; ;

‏ Numbers 19:2-9

a red heifer The following curious particulars have been remarked in this ordinance:

1. A heifer was appointed for sacrifice, in opposition to the Egyptian superstition, which held these sacred, and worshipped their goddess Isis under this form; and this appears the more likely, because males only were chosen for sacrifice. So Herodotus says, they sacrifice males, both old and young; but it is not lawful for them to offer females.

2. It was to be a red heifer, because the Egyptians sacrificed red bulls to the evil demon Typhon.

3. It was to be without spot, having no mixture of any other colour. Plutarch says, the Egyptians "sacrifice red bulls, and select them with such scrupulous attention, that if the animal has a single black or white hair, they reckon it αθυτον, unfit to be sacrificed."

4. Without blemish. (See note on Lev 22:21.)

5. On which never came yoke. Because an animal which had been used for a common purpose was deemed improper for sacrifice. Num 19:6; Lev 14:6; Isa 1:18; Rev 1:5

no blemish Exod 12:5; Lev 22:20-25; Mal 1:13-14; Luke 1:35; Heb 7:26; 1Pet 1:19; 1Pet 2:22

upon which Deut 21:3; 1Sam 6:7; Lam 1:14; John 10:17-18; Phil 2:6-8

without the camp Num 5:2, Num 15:36; Lev 4:12, Lev 4:21, Lev 13:45-46, Lev 16:27, Lev 24:14; Heb 13:11-13

sprinkle Lev 4:6, Lev 4:17, Lev 16:14, Lev 16:19; Heb 9:13-14, Heb 12:24; 1Pet 1:2

Exod 29:14; Lev 4:11-12, Lev 4:21; Ps 22:14; Isa 53:10

Lev 14:4, Lev 14:6, Lev 14:49; Ps 51:7; Isa 1:18; Heb 9:19-23

Num 19:8, Num 19:19; Lev 11:25, Lev 11:40, Lev 14:8-9, Lev 15:5, Lev 16:26-28

clean Num 19:18, Num 9:13; 2Cor 5:21; Heb 7:26, Heb 9:13

lay them up Num 19:17

a water of separation That is, water prepared by being mixed with the ashes of the heifer, and set apart for the special purpose of being sprinkled on those who had contracted any legal defilement. To this rite the apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Hebrews. (Heb 9:13-14), pointedly alludes: "For if," says he, "the blood of bulls and of goats," alluding, probably, to the sin-offerings and the scape-goat, "and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot unto God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God." Num 19:13, Num 19:20-21, Num 6:12, Num 31:23-24; Lev 15:20; Zech 13:1; 2Cor 7:1