Numbers 19:3

3 and they will give it to Eleazar the priest. It is to be taken outside the camp and killed in his presence.

Numbers 19:3 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 19:3

And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest
The son of Aaron; the Sagan of the priests, as the Targum of Jonathan calls him, the second or deputy priest; it was not to be given to Aaron, that he might not be defiled, though but for a small time, that so he might not be hindered in his office at all; but to Eleazar, to inure him to his office, and to confirm him in it:

that he may bring her forth without the camp;
without the camp of Israel; Jarchi says, without the three camps, as afterwards without Jerusalem; it used in later times to be burnt on the mount of Olives; it was brought forth as impure, and was a type of Christ, having the sins of his people on him, and who in conformity to this type suffered without the gates of Jerusalem, see ( Hebrews 13:11-13 ) ;

and [one] shall slay her before his face;
the Targum of Jonathan says, another priest; but it was not necessary that it should be slain by a priest, any man might do it. Jarchi says, a stranger slew, and Eleazar looked on; though it was not slain by him, yet it was slain before him, that it might look like a sacrifice, though not offered on the altar; and slaying of it denotes the putting of Christ to death, which was done in the presence, and with the approbation, of the priests and elders of the people.

Numbers 19:3 In-Context

1 The Lord commanded Moses and Aaron
2 to give the Israelites the following regulations. Bring to Moses and Aaron a red cow which has no defects and which has never been worked,
3 and they will give it to Eleazar the priest. It is to be taken outside the camp and killed in his presence.
4 Then Eleazar is to take some of its blood and with his finger sprinkle it seven times in the direction of the Tent.
5 The whole animal, including skin, meat, blood, and intestines, is to be burned in the presence of the priest.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. It . . . presence; [or] He is to take it outside to the east of the camp and kill it.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.