Numbers 19:10

"“A man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up outside of the camp in a clean place; and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for use in water for cleansing impurity. It is a sin offering."

Key Reflection

This passage describes a ritual where purified individuals gather the ashes of a burnt heifer, storing them outside the camp in a clean place. These ashes were used to create water for purification, symbolizing the cleansing of impurity and sin from the community, reflecting the broader theme of atonement and divine forgiveness within Israelite practice.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

He that gathered the ashes became equally unclean with the others. For the defilement of the people, previously transferred to the heifer, was regarded as concentrated in the ashes.

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