Bilangan 19:1

The Red Heifer Ritual

19:1 ¹ The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron:

Bilangan 25:5

25:5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you must execute those of his men ²  who were joined to Baal-peor.”

[19:1]  ¹ sn In the last chapter the needs of the priests and Levites were addressed. Now the concern is for the people. This provision from the sacrifice of the red heifer is a precaution to ensure that the purity of the tabernacle was not violated by pollutions of impurity or death. This chapter has two main parts, both dealing with ceremonial purity: the ritual of the red heifer (vv. 1-10), and the purification from uncleanness (vv. 11-22). For further study see J. Milgrom, “The Paradox of the Red Cow (Num 19),” VT 31 (1981): 62-72.

[25:5]  ² tn Heb “slay – a man his men.” The imperative is plural, and so “man” is to be taken collectively as “each of you men.”