Numbers 19:4

And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times:

And Eleazar {H499} the priest {H3548} shall take {H3947} of her blood {H1818} with his finger {H676}, and sprinkle {H5137} of her blood {H1818} directly {H5227} before {H6440} the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150} seven {H7651} times {H6471}:

El'azar the cohen is to take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle this blood toward the front of the tent of meeting seven times.

Eleazar the priest is to take some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the Tent of Meeting.

and Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle her blood toward the front of the tent of meeting seven times.

Commentary

Numbers 19:4 describes a specific and highly symbolic action within the elaborate ritual of the red heifer sacrifice, central to the Old Testament law for purification from ceremonial defilement. This particular verse focuses on the precise act of sprinkling the blood of the sacrificed heifer.

Context

This verse is part of the "Law of the Red Heifer" found in Numbers chapter 19. This unique ritual was designed to provide a means of purification for Israelites who had become unclean through contact with a dead body, a significant source of defilement in ancient Israelite society. Unlike other sacrifices which dealt with sin, the red heifer ritual dealt specifically with ritual impurity, providing "water of purification" (also called "water of separation") that cleansed the defiled person.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Priestly Authority: The act is performed by Eleazar the priest, Aaron's son, underscoring the divine appointment and authority of the priesthood in mediating between God and the people.
  • The Significance of Blood: As in many Old Testament rituals, the blood of the sacrifice is central. It represents life and is the means by which atonement and purification are made. The act of sprinkling blood signifies the application of this cleansing power.
  • Completeness and Divine Action: The instruction to sprinkle the blood "seven times" is highly significant. The number seven in biblical numerology often denotes completeness, perfection, or divine intervention, emphasizing the thoroughness and divine efficacy of this purification ritual.
  • Ritual Purity: The entire ceremony, and this act within it, highlights God's meticulous demand for holiness and purity within the Israelite camp, even in the face of unavoidable contact with death.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "sprinkle" here is nazah (ื ึธื–ึธื”), which implies a forceful or vigorous sprinkling, not merely a gentle dripping. This suggests an active application of the blood's cleansing power. The phrase "before the tabernacle of the congregation" (ืœึดืคึฐื ึตื™ ืึนื”ึถืœ ืžื•ึนืขึตื“ โ€“ lifnei ohel mo'ed) literally means "to the front of the tent of meeting," indicating that this sacred act was performed in the visible presence of God's dwelling place among His people.

Related Scriptures

The elaborate nature of the red heifer ritual, particularly the use of blood for purification, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament. While the blood of animals could ceremonially cleanse, it could not truly purify the conscience or remove sin. The writer of Hebrews draws a direct parallel, explaining how the blood of Christ offers a superior and eternal cleansing: "For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:13-14). This Old Testament ritual serves as a profound shadow pointing to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus.

Practical Application

While we no longer perform literal red heifer sacrifices, the principles behind this verse remain relevant. It reminds us of God's meticulous concern for holiness and the necessity of cleansing from defilement. Just as the Israelites needed ceremonial purification, humanity needs spiritual purification from sin. This verse points us to the ultimate source of cleansing: the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Understanding this ritual helps us appreciate the depth of God's provision for our spiritual purity and reminds us that true cleansing comes through His perfect sacrifice, making us holy and acceptable before Him.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 4:17

    And the priest shall dip his finger [in some] of the blood, and sprinkle [it] seven times before the LORD, [even] before the vail.

  • Leviticus 16:14

    And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle [it] with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

  • Leviticus 4:6

    And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.

  • Leviticus 16:19

    And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

  • Hebrews 9:13

    For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

  • Hebrews 9:14

    How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

  • Hebrews 12:24

    And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.
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