Numbers 19:3-5

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Numbers 19:3 tc The clause is a little ambiguous. It reads “and he shall slaughter it before him.” It sounds as if someone else will kill the heifer in the priest’s presence. Since no one is named as the subject, it may be translated as a passive. Some commentators simply interpret that Eleazar was to kill the animal personally, but that is a little forced for “before him.” The Greek text gives a third person plural sense to the verb; the Vulgate follows that reading.
2. Numbers 19:4 tn The verb is the perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive; it functions here as the equivalent of the imperfect of instruction.
3. Numbers 19:4 sn Seven is a number with religious significance; it is often required in sacrificial ritual for atonement or for purification.
4. Numbers 19:5 tn Again, the verb has no expressed subject, and so is given a passive translation.
5. Numbers 19:5 tn The imperfect tense is third masculine singular, and so again the verb is to be made passive.