Numbers 19: Group Study Handout

Overview

Yahweh commands Moses and Aaron to instruct the children of Israel to bring a red heifer without defect (vv. 1-2). Eleazar, the priest, is to kill the heifer outside the camp and sprinkle her blood toward the Tent of Meeting seven times (vv. 3-4). The entire heifer, including her skin and dung, is to be burned, along with cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet (vv. 5-6). Those involved in the burning and the priest must wash their clothes and bathe, remaining unclean until evening (vv. 7-10).

Key verse

“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.”

Numbers 19:9 (WEB)

Outline

1. Numbers 19:1–2 Instructions for the Red Heifer
2. Numbers 19:3–6 Ritual of the Heifer's Sacrifice
3. Numbers 19:7–10 Aftermath of the Sacrifice
4. Numbers 19:11–14 Purification After Contact with the Dead
5. Numbers 19:15–20 Ritual Cleansing Procedures
6. Numbers 19:21–22 Perpetual Statutes of Purification

Discussion questions

1. In v2, what are the requirements for the red heifer that is to be brought?
2. What does Eleazar do with the blood of the heifer in v4?
3. In v13, why is there a consequence for not purifying oneself after touching a dead body?
4. The phrase 'unclean until evening' in v21: what does this suggest about the timing of purification?
5. When have you felt 'unclean' in a situation and needed to seek restoration?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Numbers 19: Hebrews 9, Numbers 31, Hebrews 10.

Before next time: read Numbers 20.