Numbers 19

1. The Lord spake. The judgements which had lately fallen on the camp of Israel having, probably, caused defilement to many of the survivors by bringing them into contact with the dead, directions are given as to the method of preparing and using a general means of purification.

2 the ordinance of the law. i.e., what is ordained by the law.—without spot. Heb., “perfect.”

3 give her unto Eleazar. It must not be done by the high priest, as he was to avoid all pollutions.

7 unclean. As the priest who took the heifer’s blood on his finger, and the man who burnt her, and the man who gathered her ashes, all contracted uncleanness by so doing, it was hereby signified that sin had been laid upon the animal.

9 water of separation. The “water of separation,” or of purification, was formed by mixing in spring water the ashes of the heifer, together with other ingredients (ver. 6), which were also used in the cleansing of lepers (Lev. xiv. 6, 7). The sprinkling of the blood, and of the water containing the ashes, was a type of the work of Christ; probably representing the combined justification and sanctification of the believer; see Heb. ix. 13, 14.—a purification for sin. i.e., “a sin offering” (R.V.).

11 the dead body. This enactment tended to prevent unnecessary or superstitious practices with regard to the dead, and to insure speedy burial; it also served to keep before the people the connexion between sin and death.

12. He shall purify, etc. Or, “He that shall purify himself with it on the third day and on the seventh day, he shall not be clean”: see R.V. marg.

13 shall be cut off from Israel. Though the pollution contracted was only ceremonial, yet the neglect of the purification prescribed would make the ceremonially unclean man morally guilty.