Numbers 19

Numbers 19:2

ORdinance] According to this Law, and Ceremony yee shall sacrifice the red Cow; this Heifer, as a beast without blemish, holds conformitie with other sacrifices, (as they with Christ, whereof they were figures) for he was without blemish or spot of sinne, 1 Pet. 1. 19. but as red, and free from the yoke, it differed from other sacrifices; yet agreed more with the Antitype Christ, covered covered with his owne bloud, issuing from the many wounds on his head and body: And in that the Heifer was to be free from the yoke, it was because being destinate for a sacrifice of expiating of sinne before God, it was not fit it should first be imployed in the service of man; and it noted Christs freedome from the yoke and bondage of sinne, as it is phrased, Lamentations 1:14. and from subjection to men, Matth. 17. 26, 27. Joh. 10. 17, 18.

Numbers 19:3

without the Campe] Because it was to be sacrificed for the sinnes of all the people; and therefore being siguratively under the guilt of so great iniquitie, it was held very uncleane; and the Priest that killed it, and he that burned it, were to be uncleane untill the evening. And if we consider this sacrifice as a Type of Christ, as it was, it holds conformitie with him, who suffered as a Malefactor without the gate of Jerusalem, Hebrews 13:12. as malefactors did without the Campe, Leviticus 24:14. and as bearing the guilt of all the Israel of God, Isaiah 53:6. and yet in himselfe the Holy one of God, Acts 2:27.

one shall slay] It is not said by whom the Heifer shall be slaine, or burnt, vers. 5. and for the word One, though it be not in the Hebrew Text, yet it is supplied for the congruitie of the sentence, which runs better in sense with it then it would doe without it. It seemes it was not Aaron the High-priest that was to doe it, but rather Eleazar, to whom it was presented, by whom it was brought without the Campe, and the bloud sprinkled, vers. 41. and who was next in dignitie to Aaron, Chap. 3. 32. and at this time the number of inferiour Priests (besides them) was very few, if it were a number, for some thinke they were but three that were of full age; yet in that it it is said, [shall slay her before his face] (that is, Eleazars face,) it appeares to be some other, and not Eleazar; so also doe the words [in his fight, vers. 5. import.

Numbers 19:4

before the Tabernacle] That is, turning his face toward it; though being out of the Campe, he were a good way from it.

Numbers 19:6

skarlet] By that deepe red colour is sometimes signified the great guilt of sin, Isaiah 1:18. especially of cruelty and bloud-shed, vers. 15. and the bloud of Christ washing away that guilt; and though red, yet making the sinner white, Revelation 7:14.

Numbers 19:7

wash his clothes] That is, Eleazar, signifying that uncleannesse cleaveth to the most holy actions of the most holy persons, Heb. 7. 27, 28.

Numbers 19:8

he that burneth] That is, an inferiour Priest.

Numbers 19:9

cleane place] Where no dead carkasse, dung, or other filth was laid; as on the contrary the stones, rubbish, and dust of a leprous house was to be put in an uncleane place, Levit. 14. 40, 41. whence the ashes were yearely to be distributed in the Cities of Canaan, and so kept, that they might be in readinesse for generall use.

it shall be kept] That is, the ashes, (for in the Hebrew the word is in the singular number) or part of the ashes shall be kept to mingle with water: See vers. 17. & Hebrews 9:13.

a water of separation] Because they that were separated for their uncleannesse were sprinkled with it, and made cleane by it, Chap. 8. 7. from a ceremoniall pollution. It is also called holy water, because it is ordained to an holy use, Chap. 5. 17. and used in an holy manner.

Numbers 19:12

with it] That is, the water of separation, which some thinke did serve only to purge the uncleannesse contracted by touching the dead: others extend it to all ceremoniall uncleannesse whatsoever.

third day] He was to be sprinkled with this water of separation the third day after his pollution was known, and the seventh day, vers. 19. and if he omitted the first sprinkling, he had no benefit by the second on the seventh day; yet the first sprinkling might be, (if the third day were omitted) on the fourth or the fifth day, and yet stand as for the third, and from thence he must expect the seventh day so much the later, as it was longer before he had his first sprinkling.

Numbers 19:13

cut off] So that he should not be esteemed to be of the holy people; but as a polluted and excommunicated person: some hold that if it were known, he was to be put to death by the Sentence of the Judge, if unknown, by the Judgement of God; except in case of ignorance, for then if he touched any uncleane thing, and knew it not, he was (when he knew it) to offer a sacrifice for it, Levit. 5. vers. 3, 6.

Numbers 19:14

all that is in] By this precise ordinance touching the dead, there was a caveat given against all guilt of blood: for if to come into the place where a dead man lay, rendred a man uncleane, how uncleane must he be, who made a living man a dead carkasse by a murderous act? See Genesis 4:10. & Esa. 1. 15.

Numbers 19:15

open vossell] Which taketh in the ayre of the Tent ceremoniously tainted or uncleane, when they left dwelling in Tents; the same Law in proportion served for houses, at least for the roome or chamber where the dead was laid, or through which he was brought.

Numbers 19:18

a cleane person] One of the Priests that is cleane.

Numbers 19:19

wash his clothes] Because he had been among them that were uncleane, or else had touched the water wherewith another had been sprinkled, vers. 21.

Numbers 19:20

purifie himselfe] By undergoing the ordinance or ceremony of purification, though himselfe be rather passive then active in it.

cut off] See Annot. on vers. 13.

Numbers 19:21

wash his clothes] See Annot. on vers. 7.

toucheth] Except for the ordinary and legall use of cleansing others by it from ceremoniall uncleannesse.

Numbers 19:22

untill even] He that touched an uncleane thing was to be uncleane seven dayes, vers. 14. but such a person or thing touched at the second hand by another, could make him or it uncleane but untill even.