Numbers 19 Moses's Second Census

1 The Water of Cleansing
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron:

2 “This is a requirement of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke.

3 Give it to Eleazar the priest; it is to be taken outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence.

4 Then Eleazar the priest is to take some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the Tent of Meeting.

5 While he watches, the heifer is to be burned—its hide, flesh, blood and offal.

6 The priest is to take some cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer.

7 After that, the priest must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water. He may then come into the camp, but he will be ceremonially unclean till evening.

8 The man who burns it must also wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he too will be unclean till evening.

9 “A man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and put them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They shall be kept by the Israelite community for use in the water of cleansing; it is for purification from sin.

10 The man who gathers up the ashes of the heifer must also wash his clothes, and he too will be unclean till evening. This will be a lasting ordinance both for the Israelites and for the aliens living among them.

11 “Whoever touches the dead body of anyone will be unclean for seven days.

12 He must purify himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself on the third and seventh days, he will not be clean.

13 Whoever touches the dead body of anyone and fails to purify himself defiles the Lord’s tabernacle. That person must be cut off from Israel. Because the water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on him, he is unclean; his uncleanness remains on him.

14 “This is the law that applies when a person dies in a tent: Anyone who enters the tent and anyone who is in it will be unclean for seven days,

15 and every open container without a lid fastened on it will be unclean.

16 “Anyone out in the open who touches someone who has been killed with a sword or someone who has died a natural death, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.

17 “For the unclean person, put some ashes from the burned purification offering into a jar and pour fresh water over them.

18 Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water and sprinkle the tent and all the furnishings and the people who were there. He must also sprinkle anyone who has touched a human bone or a grave or someone who has been killed or someone who has died a natural death.

19 The man who is clean is to sprinkle the unclean person on the third and seventh days, and on the seventh day he is to purify him. The person being cleansed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and that evening he will be clean.

20 But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he must be cut off from the community, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the Lord. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on him, and he is unclean.

21 This is a lasting ordinance for them.
“The man who sprinkles the water of cleansing must also wash his clothes, and anyone who touches the water of cleansing will be unclean till evening.

22 Anything that an unclean person touches becomes unclean, and anyone who touches it becomes unclean till evening.”

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Analysis of Numbers Chapter 19

The nineteenth chapter of the Book of Numbers is a significant passage that addresses the concept of purification and the means by which the Israelites were to remain ceremonially pure. This chapter introduces the ritual of the red heifer, a rite that is unique in its requirements and has profound symbolism tied to purity and sin. Let’s delve into a comprehensive analysis of this chapter, examining its themes, instructions, and deeper meanings.

Verses 1-2: Command to Moses and Aaron

The chapter opens with God speaking to Moses and Aaron, giving them specific instructions regarding the red heifer:

‘And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke.’

Here, God emphasizes the need for a red heifer that is perfect – without spot, blemish, and one that has not borne a yoke. This meticulous specification underscores the importance of purity and the absence of any imperfection, both physically in the animal and symbolically in the ritual. The choice of a heifer (a young cow) rather than a more commonly sacrificed animal such as a lamb or goat is noteworthy and hints at the unique nature of this ordinance.

Verses 3-6: The Preparation of the Red Heifer

The instructions continue with details on how the heifer is to be prepared:

‘And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face: And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times: And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn: And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.’

The heifer is to be taken outside the camp and slaughtered before the priest Eleazar, who was Aaron’s son and successor in the priesthood. The blood is then sprinkled towards the front of the Tabernacle seven times. This act of sprinkling the blood signifies a connection between the purification offering and the presence of God within the community. The heifer is then completely burned along with cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet wool, elements that have additional symbolic meanings:

Cedar wood: Often associated with purification and longevity, it represents strength and incorruptibility.
Hyssop: Known for its cleansing properties, hyssop symbolizes purification from sin.
Scarlet wool: Red in color, it symbolizes the sacrifice and atonement.

Verses 7-10: Purification of the Priest and Collection of Ashes

The process of handling the ashes involves further purification instructions:

‘Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the evening. And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the evening. And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.’

The rituals surrounding the red heifer also impart impurity to those involved, necessitating further purification for the priests and the person gathering the ashes. This paradox highlights the pervasive nature of impurity and the meticulous efforts required to maintain purity. The ashes are stored outside the camp and will be used to create the “water of separation,” a mixture used for purification rituals. This separation maintains a boundary between the holy and the profane, emphasizing the sacred nature of purity.

Verses 11-13: The Impurity of Death

The chapter then addresses the primary context for the use of these purification rituals – contact with death:

‘He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days. He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean. Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.’

The handling of death is a major source of impurity, and those who come into contact with a dead body are declared unclean for seven days. The purification process involves sprinkling the ashes mixed with water on the third and seventh days to be made clean. Failure to purify oneself results in being cut off from the community, illustrating the severity of impurity and its consequences. This underscores the belief that death, being the greatest impurity, must be rigorously managed to maintain communal holiness.

Verses 14-16: Specifics on Defilement

The passage also provides specific details on how defilement can occur:

‘This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days. And every open vessel, which hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean. 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.’

The extension of impurity to the entire tent and its contents where death occurred, and even to open vessels, highlights the pervasive nature of impurity related to death. Furthermore, contact with human bones or graves also imparts the same level of defilement. The comprehensive nature of these laws shows the meticulous concern for maintaining ritual purity in every aspect of life.

Verses 17-19: The Purification Process

The act of purification using the ashes of the red heifer is clearly outlined:

‘And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel: And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave: And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even.’

The use of ashes mixed with running water (living water) for purification is fascinating. This solution is used to cleanse not only people but also the environment and objects that were defiled. The repeated act of sprinkling on the third and seventh days symbolically underscores the process of removing impurity, showing that holiness is both a communal and environmental concern. The participation of a clean person in the act of sprinkling shows the communal responsibility for maintaining purity.

Verses 20-22: Consequences of Defilement

The chapter concludes with a stern warning regarding neglecting the purification process:

‘But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the Lord: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean. And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even. And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.’

Non-compliance with the purification rites has severe consequences, as it defiles the sanctuary of the Lord. Being cut off from the congregation signifies social and spiritual separation, highlighting the gravity of ritual impurity. This perpetual statute reinforces that the maintenance of purity was a continuous and vital aspect of Israelite religion. The unclean state of anyone touching the water of separation illuminates the paradox that the very agents of purification bear an element of impurity themselves, requiring their own subsequent cleansing.

Theological Insights and Symbolism

The red heifer ritual presents several deep theological concepts:

Substitutionary Atonement: The red heifer serves as a substitute to bear the impurity of the people, prefiguring Christ’s sacrificial atonement for humanity’s sins.
Holiness and Separation: The emphasis on purity underscores the need for separation from impurity to maintain holiness. This separation is both physical (outside the camp) and spiritual (maintaining ritual cleanliness).
Community Responsibility: The communal nature of purification emphasizes shared responsibility in upholding the covenant with God. Everyone, from priests to ordinary persons, plays a role in preserving purity.
Symbolic Elements: The use of cedar, hyssop, and scarlet wool add layers of symbolism relating to healing, cleansing, and sacrifice respectively.
The Pervasiveness of Impurity: The detailed regulations highlight the relentless nature of impurity and the rigorous efforts required to counteract it. This idea reflects the human condition and the need for continual spiritual vigilance.

Contemporary Application

While the specific rituals of the red heifer may not apply to contemporary practice, the underlying principles contain timeless lessons:

Pursuit of Holiness: Believers are called to pursue holiness in their lives, recognizing the necessity of spiritual purification and separation from sin.
Service and Sacrifice: The red heifer as a substitute encourages Christians to see Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and to live sacrificially in service to others.
Community Care: Maintaining spiritual and moral integrity involves a collective effort, reminding the Church of its duty to support and uplift each other.
Acknowledging Sin’s Impact: Recognize the pervasive impact of sin and the importance of regular spiritual cleansing through repentance and God’s grace.

In conclusion, Numbers Chapter 19 presents a complex and rich set of instructions centered on purification. Through the ritual of the red heifer, we gain insights into the ancient Israelite’s understanding of purity, the nature of impurity, and the significance of communal and individual holiness. This chapter also offers profound theological symbolism that resonates with the Christian faith, particularly in the context of Christ’s redemptive work and the ongoing pursuit of spiritual purity.

Understanding the Key Messages in Numbers 19: Insights and Explanation

In chapter 19 of the book of Numbers, God commands Moses to take a census of the Israelites for the second time. This census is to count the men who are able to serve in the military and wage war. The chapter also discusses the rituals and laws of purification through the use of the ashes of a red heifer. The children of Israel are reminded of the importance of obedience to God's commands.

Notes

This chapter provides insights into the organization and preparation of the Israelite army. It also introduces the concept of the purification ritual using a red heifer, which is later referenced in the New Testament.