“This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke:”
According to this law and ceremony ye shall sacrifice the red cow.
“And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face:”
Cross references: : Heb. 13:11 By another Priest.
“And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even.”
The inferior Priest who killed her, and burned her.
“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.”
Or, the water of separation because they that were separate for their uncleanness, were sprinkled therewith and made clean, Num. 8:7 . It is also called holy water, because [it] was ordained to an holy use, Num. 1:17 .
“Whosoever 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.”
So that he should not be esteemed to be of the holy people. But as a polluted and excommunicated person.
“And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel: ashes: Heb. dust running: Heb. living waters shall be given”
Of the red cow burnt for sin. Water of the fountain or river.
“And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:”
One of the priests which is clean.
“And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even.”
Because he had been among them that were unclean: or, else had touched the water, as verse 21.