Numbers 19 – The ordinance concerning the red heifer sacrifice. 2023

Num 19:2
"This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect, and on which a yoke has never been placed.

This is the ordinance concerning the red heifer sacrifice. There are several particular items to make note of concerning this ordinance:
1. A heifer (young cow that has not had a calf) was appointed for sacrifice. This is in opposition to the Egyptian superstition which held heifers sacred because they worshiped their goddess Isis under this form. Males only were chosen for Egyptian sacrifice. Herodotus states that the Egyptians sacrificed males, both old and young; but it was not lawful for them to offer females.
2. It was to be a red heifer. The Egyptians sacrificed red bulls to the evil demon Typhon.
3. It was to be without spot, having no mixture of any other color.
4. Without blemish.
5. "...on which a yoke has never been placed." The reason here is because an animal which had been used for a common purpose was deemed improper for this sacrifice, which is very holy, or set-apart.