Numbers 19:6

KJV

And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast [it] into the midst of the burning of the heifer.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the priest {H3548} shall take {H3947} cedar {H730} wood {H6086}, and hyssop {H231}, and scarlet {H8438}{H8144}, and cast {H7993} it into the midst {H8432} of the burning {H8316} of the heifer {H6510}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohen is to take cedar-wood, hyssop and scarlet yarn and throw them onto the heifer as it is burning up.

Berean Standard Bible

The priest is to take cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer.

American Standard Version

and the priest shall take cedar-wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 19:6 details a crucial step in the purification ritual of the Red Heifer, stipulating that cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet material be cast into the burning sacrifice. These specific elements, each laden with symbolic meaning, were integral to the creation of the "water of separation," a unique cleansing agent designed to purify individuals who had become ceremonially defiled through contact with a dead body, highlighting God's meticulous provision for holiness within the Israelite community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 19 opens with the detailed ordinance of the Red Heifer, a unique and complex ritual distinct from other sin offerings. The preceding verses establish the requirements for the heifer itself—it must be red, without blemish, and never have borne a yoke ([Numbers 19:2](/numbers/19-2 "Numbers 19:2 - Requirements for the Red Heifer")). The priest, Eleazar, was to oversee its slaughter outside the camp ([Numbers 19:3](/numbers/19-3 "Numbers 19:3 - Slaughter Outside the Camp")), and its blood was to be sprinkled seven times toward the front of the Tent of Meeting ([Numbers 19:4](/numbers/19-4 "Numbers 19:4 - Sprinkling of Blood")). Verse 6, therefore, describes the next stage of the process: the addition of specific symbolic materials to the burning carcass, which would contribute to the ashes used for the water of purification ([Numbers 19:9](/numbers/19-9 "Numbers 19:9 - The Water of Separation")). This entire chapter focuses on the severe nature of ritual impurity from death and God's provision for its removal, enabling the defiled to re-enter the holy community.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, contact with a dead body rendered a person severely ritually unclean for seven days, preventing them from participating in worship or communal life. This uncleanness was not moral sin but a state that violated the purity required to approach a holy God. The Red Heifer ritual was unique because it provided a means of purification for this specific, pervasive form of defilement. Unlike other sacrifices, the heifer was burned completely outside the camp, signifying the extreme nature of death's defilement and perhaps the transfer of impurity away from the holy dwelling. The elements added—cedar, hyssop, and scarlet—were not arbitrary; they had established symbolic associations in other purification rites, such as the cleansing of leprosy ([Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing Leprosy")) or the preparation of the Passover ([Exodus 12:22](/exodus/12-22 "Exodus 12:22 - Hyssop in the Passover Ritual")), indicating a consistent theological vocabulary for cleansing and atonement within Israelite culture.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme in Numbers 19 is **purity and defilement**, particularly concerning the pervasive defilement of death. The Red Heifer ritual underscores the absolute necessity of holiness for a people living in the presence of a holy God. It highlights God's **provision for cleansing**, demonstrating His grace in providing a meticulous, albeit demanding, pathway back to ritual purity and communal participation. This ritual also powerfully foreshadows the concept of **atonement** and **sacrifice**, where an unblemished life is given to cleanse and restore. The repeated emphasis on "outside the camp" ([Numbers 19:3](/numbers/19-3 "Numbers 19:3 - Outside the Camp")) points to the idea of bearing defilement away, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's sacrifice. The inclusion of specific materials like cedar, hyssop, and scarlet reinforces the theme of **symbolic representation** in God's redemptive plan, where physical elements convey profound spiritual truths about sin, cleansing, and renewal.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cedar Wood (Hebrew, _'erez'_):** Cedar, specifically the cedar of Lebanon, was highly valued for its durability, resistance to decay, and majestic appearance. In biblical symbolism, it often represents purity, incorruptibility, and strength. It was used in the construction of the Temple ([1 Kings 6:9](/1_kings/6-9 "1 Kings 6:9 - Cedar in Temple Construction")) and in other purification rites, particularly the cleansing of leprosy ([Leviticus 14:4](/leviticus/14-4 "Leviticus 14:4 - Cedar in Leprosy Cleansing")), where it symbolized the restoration of life and health. Its inclusion here suggests a robust, enduring, and thorough cleansing.
* **Hyssop (Hebrew, _'ezov'_):** A small, humble plant with absorbent properties, hyssop was commonly used for sprinkling blood or water in various purification rituals. It was employed in the Passover ritual to apply blood to the doorposts ([Exodus 12:22](/exodus/12-22 "Exodus 12:22 - Hyssop in the Passover Ritual")), and in the cleansing of leprosy ([Leviticus 14:4](/leviticus/14-4 "Leviticus 14:4 - Hyssop in Leprosy Cleansing")). Spiritually, it came to symbolize humility, the application of cleansing, and deep spiritual purification, as famously expressed in David's prayer, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean" ([Psalm 51:7](/psalms/51-7 "Psalm 51:7 - Purge Me with Hyssop")). Its presence signifies the humble yet effective means of applying purification.
* **Scarlet (Hebrew, _shani tola'at'_):** This refers to a vibrant crimson dye, often derived from the _tola'at_ worm (coccus ilicis). In Scripture, scarlet is frequently associated with sin, as seen in Isaiah's declaration, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" ([Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - Sins as Scarlet")). Its color also evokes blood, life, and atonement, being used in the Tabernacle's curtains and priestly garments ([Exodus 26:1](/exodus/26-1 "Exodus 26:1 - Scarlet in Tabernacle Curtains")). Its inclusion in the Red Heifer ritual, alongside the red heifer itself, powerfully underscores the gravity of sin and defilement, and the profound sacrifice required for its removal and the restoration of purity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet":** This clause specifies the three distinct materials that are to be added to the burning heifer. The priest, Eleazar, acting under divine instruction, is responsible for this precise action. The selection of these materials is not arbitrary but deeply symbolic, each contributing a specific aspect to the overall meaning and efficacy of the purification ritual. They represent elements of enduring life (cedar), humble application of cleansing (hyssop), and the profound nature of sin and atonement (scarlet).
* **"and cast [it] into the midst of the burning of the heifer":** This directive indicates the exact moment and location for the inclusion of these symbolic items. As the unblemished red heifer is consumed by fire outside the camp, these elements are to be thrown into the heart of the conflagration. This action ensures that their essence, combined with the ashes of the heifer, forms the potent "water of separation." The complete burning signifies the thoroughness of the purification process and the total consumption required for atonement.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 19:6 makes significant use of **Symbolism**. The three materials—cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet—are not merely physical objects but carry profound symbolic weight, each contributing to the ritual's meaning. Cedar symbolizes purity, incorruptibility, and enduring life; hyssop represents humility and the application of cleansing; and scarlet signifies the gravity of sin and the blood of atonement. The act of casting them into the fire itself is symbolic, indicating their complete integration into the sacrificial act and their transformation into elements of purification. Furthermore, the entire ritual of the Red Heifer, including this verse, functions as **Typology**, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament ritual, with its specific elements and actions, serves as a type, pointing forward to the anti-type found in the New Testament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The specific elements of cedar, hyssop, and scarlet, meticulously added to the burning red heifer, underscore the multifaceted nature of God's provision for cleansing from defilement. This ritual, while dealing with ritual impurity rather than moral sin directly, served as a profound object lesson in the seriousness of any defilement in God's sight and the costly, divinely appointed means for restoration. The incorruptible cedar, the humble hyssop for sprinkling, and the scarlet representing sin and atonement, all combined in a unique offering, pointed to a comprehensive cleansing that was both thorough and applied. The Red Heifer ritual thus stands as a powerful testament to God's holiness and His gracious, detailed provision for His people to dwell in His presence, even amidst the realities of death and defilement.

* [Leviticus 14:4](/leviticus/14-4 "Leviticus 14:4 - Cedar and Hyssop in Leprosy Cleansing")
* [Psalm 51:7](/psalms/51-7 "Psalm 51:7 - Purge Me with Hyssop")
* [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - Sins as Scarlet")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 19:6, though describing an ancient ritual, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is meticulous about purity and holiness, not just in external rites but in the internal state of our hearts. The detailed instructions for the Red Heifer ritual, including the specific materials, highlight that God's provision for cleansing is comprehensive and intentional. We are called to recognize the pervasive nature of sin and defilement in our lives and to appreciate the depth of God's grace in providing a perfect solution. This verse encourages us to reflect on the thoroughness of the cleansing we have received through Christ and to live lives that honor the holiness of God, understanding that true purity is not merely external but transformative.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulousness of God's instructions for the Red Heifer ritual, including the specific materials, speak to His character and His view of holiness?**
* **In what ways do the symbolic meanings of cedar, hyssop, and scarlet resonate with your understanding of sin and purification in your own life?**
* **How does the concept of "defilement by death" in the Old Testament relate to the spiritual death caused by sin in the New Testament context?**

### FAQ
**What was the purpose of adding cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet to the burning heifer?**

Answer: These three materials were added to the burning red heifer to enhance the symbolic and ritual efficacy of the purification process. Each element carried distinct symbolic meanings that contributed to the overall purpose of cleansing from ritual defilement, particularly that incurred by contact with a dead body. Cedar wood symbolized purity, incorruptibility, and enduring life, often used in cleansing rites for its association with health and vitality. Hyssop, a humble plant, was used for sprinkling and represented the application of cleansing and humility in purification. Scarlet, a vibrant red dye, was powerfully associated with sin and the shedding of blood for atonement. By combining these elements with the ashes of the unblemished heifer, the "water of separation" ([Numbers 19:9](/numbers/19-9 "Numbers 19:9 - The Water of Separation")) was created, a potent agent for ritual purification, signifying a comprehensive and divinely ordained means of restoring purity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 19:6, with its precise instructions for the Red Heifer ritual, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The unblemished red heifer, burned outside the camp ([Numbers 19:3](/numbers/19-3 "Numbers 19:3 - Slaughter Outside the Camp")), powerfully foreshadows Christ, who was without blemish or sin ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ Without Blemish")) and suffered "outside the gate" of Jerusalem ([Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")). The cedar wood, symbolizing incorruptibility and life, points to Christ's eternal, life-giving sacrifice that overcomes the decay of sin and death. The hyssop, used for sprinkling and signifying humble application and thorough cleansing, speaks to the efficacy of Christ's blood, which is applied to our consciences to purify us from dead works ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing of Conscience")). The scarlet, representing the gravity of sin and the blood of atonement, finds its complete meaning in Christ's shed blood, which cleanses us from all sin, making us "white as snow" ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Jesus' Blood"); [Revelation 1:5](/revelation/1-5 "Revelation 1:5 - Washed by His Blood")). The water of separation, made from these elements and the ashes, provided external cleansing; but Christ's sacrifice provides an internal, eternal cleansing, enabling us to serve the living God and enter His holy presence.

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

Leviticus 14:4

Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive [and] clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

Leviticus 14:49

And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

Psalms 51:7

¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Leviticus 14:6

As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird [that was] killed over the running water:

Hebrews 9:19

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Hebrews 9:23

¶ [It was] therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.