Numbers 19:5

KJV

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)

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}:

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 19:5 details a critical and unique step in the purification ritual of the Red Heifer, an ordinance divinely established for the Israelites to cleanse themselves from ceremonial uncleanness, particularly that incurred by contact with a dead body. This verse meticulously specifies the complete incineration of the heifer, including its skin, flesh, blood, and even its dung, all to be burned "in his sight," referring to the direct supervision of the officiating priest. This comprehensive consumption by fire was essential for producing the ashes necessary for the "water of separation," a unique agent of purification vital for maintaining the ritual purity of the Israelite community and enabling God's holy presence to dwell among them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 19 stands as an isolated, detailed prescription for the Red Heifer ritual, a unique purification ceremony distinct from other sacrificial laws found elsewhere in the Pentateuch, such as those in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws and Sacrifices"). This chapter immediately follows a series of narratives concerning Israel's rebellion and God's judgment (e.g., Korah's rebellion in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion")), emphasizing the ongoing need for purity and reconciliation within the community that lives in the presence of a holy God. The specific instructions in [Numbers 19:5](/numbers/19-5 "Numbers 19:5 - Burning the Red Heifer") are part of a larger sequence that begins with the selection of an unblemished red heifer ([Numbers 19:2](/numbers/19-2 "Numbers 19:2 - Requirements for the Red Heifer")) and culminates in the collection of its ashes to create the "water of separation" ([Numbers 19:9](/numbers/19-9 "Numbers 19:9 - The Water of Separation")), which was then used to purify those defiled by death. The placement highlights God's meticulous provision for maintaining holiness amidst a people prone to both moral and ritual impurity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Red Heifer ritual was instituted during Israel's wilderness wanderings, a period characterized by the constant presence of the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's dwelling among His people. This divine proximity necessitated an extremely high standard of purity, as any defilement could compromise the holiness of the camp and potentially lead to divine judgment. Contact with a dead body was considered the most severe form of ritual uncleanness, rendering a person unfit to participate in worship or community life. Unlike moral sins, which required specific sin offerings, this ritual addressed a state of ritual impurity that was often unavoidable in daily life. The practice of burning the animal outside the camp ([Numbers 19:3](/numbers/19-3 "Numbers 19:3 - The Red Heifer Burned Outside the Camp")) was culturally significant, as it separated the defiling act from the sacred space, while the involvement of the priest (Eleazar) and a "clean person" ([Numbers 19:9](/numbers/19-9 "Numbers 19:9 - The Clean Person and the Ashes")) highlights the communal responsibility for purity and the paradoxical nature of the purification process, where those involved in the cleansing became temporarily unclean.

* **Key Themes:** The Red Heifer ordinance, particularly the comprehensive burning described in this verse, underscores several profound themes. Firstly, **God's Absolute Holiness and Demand for Purity** is paramount; His presence among His people necessitates a constant, meticulous attention to ceremonial and spiritual cleanliness. Secondly, the ritual highlights **The Pervasive Nature of Defilement**, especially that associated with death, which rendered an individual utterly separated from the holy community. The complete burning signifies the totality of the defilement and the radical nature of the cleansing required. Thirdly, it reveals **God's Gracious Provision for Restoration**; despite the severity of the defilement, God Himself provides a means for His people to be purified and re-enter His presence. Lastly, the **Unique Nature of the Sacrifice** is emphasized. Unlike typical sin offerings where blood was applied to the altar and parts were consumed, the Red Heifer was entirely burned outside the camp, and its ashes, not its blood, were the primary agent of purification. This distinction foreshadows a unique and ultimate sacrifice for profound cleansing, a theme further developed in [Hebrews](/hebrews/1 "Hebrews - Jesus, Our High Priest").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heifer (Hebrew, _parah'_):** This term specifically refers to a young female bovine, typically one that has not yet borne a calf. In the context of [Numbers 19:2](/numbers/19-2 "Numbers 19:2 - Requirements for the Red Heifer"), it is further qualified as "red," "without spot," and "on which a yoke has never come," emphasizing its pristine, unblemished, and untainted nature. This purity is crucial, as the animal itself must be ritually clean to serve as an agent of purification for others.
* **Burn (Hebrew, _saraph'_):** This verb denotes a complete consumption by fire, signifying total destruction or transformation through incineration. Unlike other sacrificial contexts where parts might be roasted or consumed by priests, _saraph_ here implies that the entire animal, without any residue other than ashes, is to be reduced to nothing. This totality underscores the comprehensive nature of the offering and its purpose: to utterly consume and eradicate the defilement it represents.
* **Dung (Hebrew, _peres/peresh'_):** The inclusion of "dung" in the list of what is to be burned is highly significant. As the waste product of the animal, dung is inherently impure. Its explicit inclusion emphasizes the absolute totality of the sacrifice; not only the valuable parts (skin, flesh, blood) but even the most unclean and worthless part of the animal is consumed by the fire. This detail powerfully conveys the radical, all-encompassing nature of the purification ritual, leaving nothing un-dealt with in the process of cleansing from defilement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [one] shall burn the heifer in his sight":** This clause designates the agent and the manner of the burning. The "one" refers to the officiating priest, specifically Eleazar, as instructed in [Numbers 19:3](/numbers/19-3 "Numbers 19:3 - Eleazar's Role in the Red Heifer Ritual"). The phrase "in his sight" emphasizes the priest's direct supervision and ensures that the meticulous divine instructions are followed precisely. This was not a casual act but a highly ritualized and controlled procedure, performed outside the camp to symbolically remove the defiling elements from the holy community.
* **"her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn":** This is a comprehensive enumeration of every part of the heifer that must be consumed by fire.
* **"her skin":** The outer covering, representing the animal's exterior and its entirety.
* **"and her flesh":** The main substance of the body, indicating the physical being.
* **"and her blood":** This is particularly notable. In most Israelite sacrifices, the blood, representing the life ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")), was drained and applied to the altar or sprinkled. Here, its burning signifies that the life-force itself, in its entirety, is consumed by the fire, not offered as a typical atonement on the altar. This highlights the unique nature of the Red Heifer as a purification offering for defilement, rather than a sin offering for moral transgression.
* **"with her dung":** As discussed in Key Word Analysis, the inclusion of the animal's waste underscores the absolute totality of the sacrifice. Even the most impure part is consumed, emphasizing the radical and complete nature of the purification process designed to counteract the pervasive defilement of death.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 19:5 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Merism** is evident in the exhaustive list "skin, flesh, blood, with her dung." By naming these distinct parts, from the exterior to the interior and even the waste, the text emphasizes the **totality** of the burning—nothing of the heifer is to be left unconsumed. This serves to underscore the comprehensive nature of the purification required to counteract the pervasive defilement of death. **Symbolism** is also central: the fire itself symbolizes divine judgment and the complete consumption necessary for cleansing, while the heifer, as an unblemished animal, symbolizes the purity required for the offering. The precise, prescriptive language is a characteristic of **Ritualistic Language**, found throughout the Pentateuch, which highlights the divine origin of the commands and the absolute necessity of strict adherence to God's ordained procedures for maintaining holiness and purity within the covenant community. The unique treatment of the blood, burned rather than applied to an altar, also creates a subtle **Contrast** with other sacrificial laws, drawing attention to the distinct purpose and power of this particular purification rite.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Red Heifer ritual, particularly the comprehensive burning described in Numbers 19:5, profoundly illustrates God's absolute demand for holiness and the meticulous provision He makes for His people to dwell in His presence. Unlike typical sin offerings, this sacrifice addressed the defilement of death, which rendered one utterly unfit for worship and community. The burning of every part, even the dung, underscores the totality of the offering required to counteract the pervasive nature of impurity. This ritual highlights that defilement, whether ceremonial or moral, creates a barrier between humanity and a holy God, necessitating a divinely ordained means of cleansing. It teaches that God is not indifferent to impurity but actively provides a way for restoration and fellowship, demonstrating His grace even within the rigid demands of the Law. The very act of burning outside the camp emphasizes the removal of defilement from the holy community, pointing to a radical separation from sin's polluting effects.

* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")
* [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Cleansing by Animal Blood vs. Christ's Blood")
* [Hebrews 13:11-12](/hebrews/13-11 "Hebrews 13:11-12 - Jesus Suffers Outside the Gate")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 19:5, with its stark imagery of complete consumption by fire, serves as a powerful reminder of the thoroughness required for true purification. While we no longer participate in such rituals, the underlying spiritual principles remain profoundly relevant. This passage challenges us to consider the pervasive nature of sin and its defiling effects, not just on our actions but on our very being, impacting every facet of our lives, much like how every part of the heifer was consumed. Just as every part of the heifer was burned to produce cleansing ashes, so too must every aspect of our lives be submitted to God's purifying work. This ritual underscores that superficial cleansing is insufficient; God desires a complete transformation, a radical separation from anything that defiles our relationship with Him. It calls us to acknowledge the depth of our need for cleansing and to embrace the comprehensive provision God has made for our spiritual purity, enabling us to draw near to Him in worship and service with a clear conscience and a pure heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the complete burning of the heifer, including its dung, challenge my understanding of what God considers "pure" and what He requires for cleansing?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be holding back from God's purifying work, seeking only partial cleansing rather than total surrender?**
* **How does the ancient Israelite emphasis on ceremonial purity inform my understanding of the seriousness of sin and its defiling impact on my relationship with a holy God?**

### FAQ
**Why was the Red Heifer burned outside the camp?**

Answer: The burning of the Red Heifer outside the camp, as mentioned in [Numbers 19:3](/numbers/19-3 "Numbers 19:3 - The Red Heifer Burned Outside the Camp"), signified its unique nature as an offering that absorbed and carried away the defilement of death. Unlike most sin offerings, which were partially consumed by priests within the camp, this ritual was designed to cleanse the entire community from the most profound form of ritual impurity—contact with a corpse. By burning it outside, the defilement was symbolically removed from the holy precinct of the Israelite camp, ensuring that God's holy presence could remain undisturbed among His people. This act powerfully foreshadows Christ's suffering "outside the gate" to sanctify His people, as described in [Hebrews 13:11-12](/hebrews/13-11 "Hebrews 13:11-12 - Jesus Suffers Outside the Gate").

**What was the purpose of burning the blood of the heifer, unlike other sacrifices?**

Answer: In most Old Testament sacrifices, the blood, which represents the life ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")), was typically drained and applied to the altar or sprinkled before the Lord as a means of atonement. However, in the Red Heifer ritual, [Numbers 19:5](/numbers/19-5 "Numbers 19:5 - Burning the Red Heifer") explicitly states that the blood was to be burned along with the rest of the animal. This distinct practice underscores that the Red Heifer was not a typical sin offering for moral transgression but a unique purification offering for ceremonial uncleanness, specifically related to death. The complete consumption of the blood by fire, rather than its application to the altar, emphasizes the totality of the offering in absorbing and eradicating the defilement, transforming the entire animal into ashes that would then be used for purification.

**Was the Red Heifer sacrifice for moral sins?**

Answer: No, the Red Heifer sacrifice, as detailed in [Numbers 19](/numbers/19 "Numbers 19 - The Law of the Red Heifer"), was specifically for *ceremonial uncleanness*, particularly that incurred by contact with a dead body. It was not intended to atone for moral sins or transgressions against God's law (e.g., lying, stealing, idolatry). For moral sins, different offerings were prescribed, such as the sin offerings and guilt offerings described in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Sin Offerings") and [Leviticus 5](/leviticus/5 "Leviticus 5 - Guilt Offerings"). The Red Heifer ritual provided a means for an Israelite to be ritually cleansed and re-enter the community and worship after becoming defiled by death, ensuring the holiness of the camp where God's presence dwelt.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous burning of the Red Heifer in [Numbers 19:5](/numbers/19-5 "Numbers 19:5 - Burning the Red Heifer"), with every part consumed, serves as a profound Old Testament type pointing to the ultimate, all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the heifer was required to be "without blemish" ([Numbers 19:2](/numbers/19-2 "Numbers 19:2 - Requirements for the Red Heifer")), so too was Christ "a lamb without blemish or spot" ([1_peter/1-19](/1-peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Christ, the Lamb Without Blemish")). The burning of the heifer "outside the camp" ([Numbers 19:3](/numbers/19-3 "Numbers 19:3 - The Red Heifer Burned Outside the Camp")) finds its fulfillment in Jesus suffering "outside the gate" ([Hebrews 13:11-12](/hebrews/13-11 "Hebrews 13:11-12 - Jesus Suffers Outside the Gate")), bearing our reproach and defilement away from the holy city. While the heifer's ashes provided ceremonial cleansing from the defilement of physical death, Christ's blood, offered "through the eternal Spirit," cleanses "our conscience from dead works to serve the living God" ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). His sacrifice was total and complete, consuming the very essence of sin and its defiling power, providing not just ritual purity but eternal spiritual cleansing and access to God's presence for all who believe ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Offering")). The Red Heifer foreshadowed a sacrifice that would deal with the ultimate defilement: sin, and its consequence, spiritual death, once for all.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 29:14

But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it [is] a sin offering.

Leviticus 4:11

And the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung,

Leviticus 4:12

Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt.

Psalms 22:14

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

Leviticus 4:21

And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it [is] a sin offering for the congregation.

Isaiah 53:10

¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.