Numbers 19:1

Instructions about the red cow and the water of purification

1 The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron:

Numbers 19:1 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 19:1

And the Lord spake unto Moses, and unto Aaron
Not at this time, after the business of the spies, and the affair of Korah, but before the children of Israel departed from Sinai; and so Aben Ezra observes, that this was spoken in the wilderness of Sinai, when the Lord commanded to put unclean persons out of the camp, and when some were defiled with a dead body, and unfit for the passover, ( Numbers 5:2 ) ( 9:6 ) ; and mention is made of the "water of purifying", ( Numbers 8:7 ) ;

saying;
as follows.

Numbers 19:1 In-Context

1 The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron:

2 This is the regulation in the Instruction that the LORD commanded. Tell the Israelites that they must bring you a red cow without defect, which is flawless and on which no yoke has been laid.

3 You will give it to Eleazar the priest, and he will take it outside the camp and slaughter it in front of him.

4 Eleazar the priest will take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle it seven times in front of the meeting tent.

5 Then he will burn the cow in front of him, its skin, flesh, and blood, with its dung.