Numbers 19:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And [one] shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn:

Complete Jewish Bible:

The heifer is to be burned to ashes before his eyes -its skin, meat, blood and dung is to be burned to ashes.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the heifer must be burned in his sight. Its hide, its flesh, and its blood are to be burned, along with its dung.

American Standard Version:

And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And one shall burn^{H8313} the heifer^{H6510} in his sight^{H5869}; her skin^{H5785}, and her flesh^{H1320}, and her blood^{H1818}, with her dung^{H6569}, shall he burn^{H8313}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 19:5

Numbers 19:5 is part of the instructions given by God to Moses and Aaron regarding the ritual of the red heifer, which is a unique and distinct sacrifice in the Torah, specifically found within the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness following their exodus from Egypt. This ritual is outlined in the book of Numbers, which details the organization and travels of the Israelite community as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

The verse describes a specific procedure for the sacrifice: a red heifer without defect or blemish is to be slaughtered outside the camp, and the priest is to burn its body entirely, including its skin, flesh, blood, and even its excrement, in the presence of the congregation. This act of complete consumption by fire is unique to this sacrifice and is meant to create ashes that would later be used in a purification ritual.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the ancient Israelite understanding of purity and impurity, particularly concerning contact with the dead, which rendered a person ritually unclean. The ashes of the red heifer were essential for the water of purification, which was sprinkled on those who had come into contact with a corpse to restore their ritual purity. This purification process was necessary for the community to maintain its ritual integrity and for individuals to participate in the worship and life of the community.

The themes present in this verse include the concepts of purity, sacrifice, and the detailed ritual practices of the Israelites. It reflects the intricate system of laws and rituals that governed the religious and social life of the ancient Israelites, emphasizing the importance of ritual purity and the role of the priesthood in mediating between God and the people. The red heifer sacrifice, with its focus on restoration from corpse impurity, underscores the holiness of God and the necessity for His people to approach Him with clean hands and pure hearts.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H8313
   There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂרַף
   Transliteration: sâraph
   Pronunciation: saw-raf'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, set) on fire; (cause to, make a) burn((-ing), up) kindle, [idiom] utterly.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6510
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּרָה
   Transliteration: pârâh
   Pronunciation: paw-raw'
   Description: feminine of פַּר; a heifer; cow, heifer, kine.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
4. Strong's Number: H5785
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עוֹר
   Transliteration: ʻôwr
   Pronunciation: ore
   Description: from עוּר; skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather; hide, leather, skin.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1320
   There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּשָׂר
   Transliteration: bâsâr
   Pronunciation: baw-sawr'
   Description: from בָּשַׂר; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman; body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1818
   There are 295 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּם
   Transliteration: dâm
   Pronunciation: dawm
   Description: from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood); blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6569
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּרֶשׁ
   Transliteration: peresh
   Pronunciation: peh'-resh
   Description: from פָּרָשׁ; excrement (as eliminated); dung.