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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 19:1 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/19-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/04_Num_19_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 19:1 - The Red Heifer" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/18-32.htm" title="Numbers 18:32">◄</a> Numbers 19:1 <a href="/numbers/19-2.htm" title="Numbers 19:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/19.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/19.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses and Aaron:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/19.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/19.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/19.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/19.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/19.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, &#8220<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/19.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/19.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/19.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD commanded Moses and Aaron <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/19.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD told Moses and Aaron, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/19.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/19.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And YHWH speaks to Moses and to Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, and unto Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jehovah will speak to Moses and to Aaron, saying,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/19.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />AND the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/19.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And LORD JEHOVAH spoke with Moshe and with Ahron and said to them:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/19.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/19.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/19-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=5974" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/19.htm">The Red Heifer</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">Then the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: way·ḏab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: ’a·hă·rōn (N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">and Aaron,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>“This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Instruct the Israelites to bring you an unblemished red heifer that has no defect and has never been placed under a yoke.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Hebrews 9:13-14</a></span><br />For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/4-2.htm">Leviticus 4:2-3</a></span><br />“Tell the Israelites to do as follows with one who sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s commandments and does what is forbidden by them: / If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/16-3.htm">Leviticus 16:3-5</a></span><br />This is how Aaron is to enter the Holy Place: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. / He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them. / And he shall take from the congregation of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1-4</a></span><br />For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. / If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins. / Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/14-4.htm">Leviticus 14:4-7</a></span><br />the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed. / Then the priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot. / And he is to take the live bird together with the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, and dip them into the blood of the bird that was slaughtered over the fresh water. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-29.htm">John 1:29</a></span><br />The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">1 Peter 1:18-19</a></span><br />For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/9-2.htm">Leviticus 9:2-3</a></span><br />He said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and present them before the LORD. / Then speak to the Israelites and say, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and a lamb—both a year old and without blemish—for a burnt offering,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-7.htm">1 John 1:7</a></span><br />But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/29-10.htm">Exodus 29:10-14</a></span><br />You are to present the bull at the front of the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron and his sons are to lay their hands on its head. / And you shall slaughter the bull before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; then pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Romans 3:25</a></span><br />God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/5-6.htm">Leviticus 5:6</a></span><br />and he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD for the sin he has committed: a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering. And the priest will make atonement for him concerning his sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a></span><br />God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/1-3.htm">Leviticus 1:3-5</a></span><br />If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD. / He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. / And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and splatter it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-3.htm">Matthew 27:3-4</a></span><br />When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/18-28.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/numbers/18-25.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/numbers/18-25.htm">Speaketh</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/numbers/20-7.htm">Speaketh</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 19</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/19-1.htm">The water of separation made of the ashes of a red heifer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/19-11.htm">The law for the use of it in purification of the unclean</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then the LORD said</b><br>This phrase indicates direct divine communication, a common occurrence in the Pentateuch where God speaks to His chosen leaders. It underscores the authority and divine origin of the instructions that follow. The use of "LORD" in all caps signifies the translation of the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This communication reflects the ongoing relationship between God and His people, mediated through Moses and Aaron.<p><b>to Moses and Aaron</b><br>Moses and Aaron are central figures in the Exodus narrative and the establishment of Israel's religious practices. Moses, as the leader and prophet, and Aaron, as the high priest, represent both the civil and religious leadership of Israel. Their partnership is crucial for the implementation of God's laws and rituals. This dual leadership is significant in the context of Numbers, where the Israelites are being prepared to enter the Promised Land. The mention of both leaders highlights the importance of unity and cooperation in fulfilling God's commands. Moses and Aaron's roles also prefigure the dual offices of Christ as both King and High Priest, as seen in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Hebrews.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is the central figure in the account, giving instructions to His people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel, who plays a crucial role in the religious life of the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_instruction.htm">Divine Instruction</a></b><br>God communicates directly with His chosen leaders, emphasizing the importance of divine guidance in leadership.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_leadership.htm">Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Moses and Aaron exemplify the roles of spiritual and community leaders, highlighting the need for obedience and faithfulness in leadership positions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purity_and_holiness.htm">Purity and Holiness</a></b><br>The context of <a href="/bsb/numbers/19.htm">Numbers 19</a> deals with purification, reminding believers of the call to holiness and the need for spiritual cleansing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_sacrifice.htm">Symbolism of Sacrifice</a></b><br>The red heifer sacrifice, detailed later in the chapter, symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who purifies believers from sin.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 19</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_main_theme_of_numbers.htm">What is the main theme of the Book of Numbers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/any_records_of_cedar,_hyssop,_yarn_use.htm">Numbers 19:6: Are there any historical or archaeological records confirming the use of cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet yarn in sacrificial rituals? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_7-day_uncleanness_historically_justified.htm">Numbers 19:11: Is there evidence that a seven-day period of uncleanness after contact with the dead had practical or historical justification? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_moses'_despair_consistent_with_his_faith.htm">Numbers 11:14-15 describes Moses' despair; how consistent is this with the idea of Moses as a faith-driven leader elsewhere in the Torah?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron.</span> On the addition of the second name see on Numbers 18:1. There is no note of time in connection with this chapter, but internal evidence points strongly to the supposition that it belongs to the early days of wandering after the ban. It belongs to a period when death had resumed his normal, and more than his normal, power over the children of Israel; when, having been for a short time expelled (except in a limited number of cases - see above on Numbers 10:28), he had come back with frightful rigour to reign over a doomed generation. It belongs also, as it would seem, to a time when the daily, monthly, and even annual routine of sacrifice and purgation was suspended through poverty, distress, and disfavour with God. It tells of the mercy and condescension which did not leave even the rebellious and excommunicate without some simple remedy, some easily-obtainable solace, for the one religious distress which must of necessity press upon them daily and hourly, not only as Israelites, but as children of the East, sharing the ordinary superstitions of the age. Through the valley of the shadow of death they were doomed at Kadesh to walk, while their fellows fell beside them one by one, until the reek and taint of death passed upon the whole congregation. Almost all nations have had, as is well known, an instinctive horror of death, which has every. where demanded separation and purification on the part of those who have come in contact with it (Bahr, 'Symbolik,' 2, page 466 <span class="accented">sq.</span>). And this religious horror had not been combated, but, on the contrary, fostered and deepened by the Mosaic legislation. The law everywhere encouraged the idea that sin and death were essentially connected, and that disease and death spread their infection in the spiritual as well as in the natural order of things. Life and death were the two opposite poles under the law, as under the gospel; but the eye of faith was fixed upon natural life and natural death, and was not trained to look beyond. It could never have occurred to a Jew to say, <span class="accented">"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori."</span> To die, however nobly, was not only to be cut off from God oneself, but to become a curse and a danger and a cause of religious defilement to those around. There is, therefore, a beautiful consistency between this enactment and the circumstances of the time on the one hand, between this enactment and the revealed character of God on the other hand. Although they were his covenant people no more, since they were under sentence of death, yet, like others, and more than others, they had religious horrors and religious fears - not very spiritual, perhaps, but very real to them; these horrors and fears cried to him piteously for relief, and that relief he was careful to give. They must die, but they need not suffer daily torment of death; they must not worship him in the splendid and perfect order of his appointed ritual, but they should at least have the rites which should make life tolerable to them. It appears to be a mistake to connect this ordinance especially with the plague which occurred after the rebellion of Korah. It was not an exceptional calamity, the effects of which might indeed be widespread, but would be soon over, which the people had to dread exceedingly; it was the daily mortality always going on in every camp under all circumstances. If only the elder generation died off in the wilderness, this alone would yield nearly 100 victims every day, and by each of these a considerable number of the survivors must have been defiled. Thus, in the absence of special provision, one of two things must have happened: either the unhappy people would have grown callous and indifferent to the awful presence of death; or, more probably, a dark cloud of religious horror and depression would have permanently enveloped them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/19-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Aaron,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַהֲרֹ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(’a·hă·rōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/19-1.htm">Numbers 19:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/19-1.htm">Numbers 19:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/19-1.htm">Numbers 19:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/19-1.htm">Numbers 19:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/19-1.htm">Numbers 19:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/19-1.htm">Numbers 19:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/19-1.htm">Numbers 19:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/19-1.htm">Numbers 19:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/19-1.htm">Numbers 19:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/19-1.htm">Numbers 19:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/19-1.htm">OT Law: Numbers 19:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/18-32.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 18:32"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 18:32" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/19-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 19:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 19:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>