Num. 19 The manner of making the water of separation, and of what, Num. 19:1–10. The use of it, wherewith the unclean are to be purged, Num. 19:11–13. Laws concerning despisers of cleansing, Num. 19:14–22.

The ordinance of the law, or, the constitution of the law, i.e. that which God hath ordained or established by law. That they bring thee, at their common charge, because it was for the common good. Red; a fit colour to shadow forth both the bloody nature and complexion of sin, Isa.

Unto Eleazar, who was the second priest, and, in some cases, the vicegerent or deputy of the high priest. To him, not to Aaron, because this service made him unclean for a season, Num.

Directly before the tabernacle, or, towards or over against the tabernacle; either, 1. Near to it; and so we must suppose that he took some of the blood in a basin, and carried it from without the camp to the tabernacle, and then returned to this place again; which might be done, though it be not…

To signify the sharp and grievous sufferings of Christ for our sins. Her blood; all of it but what was spent in sprinkling.

All which are here burnt, and as it were offered to God, that they might be sanctified to this holy use for the future; for of these kinds of things was the sprinkle made wherewith the unclean were sprinkled, Lev. 14:4.

Partly to teach us the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood, in which the priest himself was defiled by some parts of his work, and the absolute necessity of a better and holier priesthood; and partly to show that Christ himself, though he had no sin of his own, yet was reputed by men, and…

For the congregation of the children of Israel, i.e. for their use, and therefore in a fit place or places, whence any of them might easily procure it. For a water, or, to the water, i.e. to be put to the water, or mixed with it. Of separation, i.e.

The stranger that sojourneth, to wit, a proselyte, not any stranger, as some understand it. For since it is confessed all the other ceremonial laws do not oblige them, and that where the name of stranger is put, as here it is, it generally speaks of a proselyte, it is more reasonable to take it so…

Whereas the touch of a dead beast made a man unclean only till even, Lev. 11:24.

With it, i.e. with the water of separation. On the third day, to typify Christ’s resurrection on that day, by which we are cleansed or sanctified. On the seventh day he shall be clean, to teach us that our purification in this life is gradual, and not perfect till we come to that eternal sabbath,…

Whosoever toucheth, to wit, if this transgression be done presumptuously; for if it was done ignorantly, he was only to offer sacrifice, Lev. 5:3, Lev. 5:6, Lev. 5:17.

Every open vessel, because it receives the air of the tent, by which it is ceremonially polluted. Compare Lev. 11:32–33.

With a sword, or by any other violent way.

Running water, i.e, waters flowing from a spring or river which are the purest. These manifestly signify God’s Spirit, which is oft compared to water, John 7:38–39, and by which alone true purification is obtained.

A clean person, to wit, a priest; for to such the work of cleansing was appropriated. See Lev. 13:0. Upon all the vessels; even those which were in part purified by the fire. See Num. 31:23.

Shall not purify himself, i.e, shall contemptuously refuse to submit to this way of purification.

Shall wash his clothes, because he is unclean, as it here follows. It is strange that the same water should cleanse one person, and defile another; but God would have it so, partly, to teach us that it did not cleanse by any virtue in itself, or in the work done, but only by virtue of God’s…

The unclean person; not he who is so only by touching the water of separation, Num. 19:21, but he who is so by the greater sort of uncleanness, which lasted seven days, of which Num. 19:11, Num.