Numbers 19:9
And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.
Original Language Analysis
וְאָסַ֣ף׀
shall gather
H622
וְאָסַ֣ף׀
shall gather
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
1 of 20
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
אִ֣ישׁ
And a man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
And a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
טָה֑וֹר
in a clean
H2889
טָה֑וֹר
in a clean
Strong's:
H2889
Word #:
3 of 20
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהִנִּ֛יחַ
and lay them up
H3240
וְהִנִּ֛יחַ
and lay them up
Strong's:
H3240
Word #:
7 of 20
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
מִח֥וּץ
without
H2351
מִח֥וּץ
without
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה
the camp
H4264
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה
the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
9 of 20
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
בְּמָק֣וֹם
place
H4725
בְּמָק֣וֹם
place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
טָה֑וֹר
in a clean
H2889
טָה֑וֹר
in a clean
Strong's:
H2889
Word #:
11 of 20
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
וְ֠הָֽיְתָה
H1961
וְ֠הָֽיְתָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לַֽעֲדַ֨ת
for the congregation
H5712
לַֽעֲדַ֨ת
for the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
13 of 20
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְמִשְׁמֶ֛רֶת
and it shall be kept
H4931
לְמִשְׁמֶ֛רֶת
and it shall be kept
Strong's:
H4931
Word #:
16 of 20
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
לְמֵ֥י
for a water
H4325
לְמֵ֥י
for a water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
17 of 20
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
נִדָּ֖ה
of separation
H5079
נִדָּ֖ה
of separation
Strong's:
H5079
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)
Cross References
Hebrews 9:13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:Numbers 19:13Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.
Historical Context
The ashes were stored outside the camp in a ceremonially clean place, accessible yet separate from daily camp life. This ensured availability while maintaining the sacred nature of the purification ritual. Rabbinic tradition indicates only nine red heifers were prepared from Moses to the Temple's destruction in 70 AD, underscoring the rarity and preciousness of this provision.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the preserved efficacy of the red heifer's ashes strengthen your confidence in Christ's eternal sacrifice?
- What areas of spiritual contamination in your life need the cleansing water of God's Word applied?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The preservation of the red heifer's ashes for 'water of separation' (Hebrew 'mei niddah') established a permanent purification system for Israel. This represents God's provision for ongoing cleansing from defilement. The phrase 'it is a purification for sin' (Hebrew 'chattat hi') uses the same word for sin offering, connecting ceremonial uncleanness with moral guilt. The ashes' preservation anticipates the eternal efficacy of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Heb 10:10-14) - His blood remains perpetually available for our cleansing (1 John 1:7).