In the context of ancient Israelite religious practices, defilement refers to a state of ritual impurity that prevents individuals from participating in certain religious activities or entering sacred spaces. One specific cause of ceremonial defilement is the process involved in the sacrifice of the red heifer, as detailed in the Old Testament.

The ordinance of the red heifer is outlined in Numbers 19. This unique sacrifice was instituted by God as a means of purification for those who had become ceremonially unclean, particularly through contact with a dead body. The red heifer itself had to be without blemish, never having borne a yoke, symbolizing purity and innocence (Numbers 19:2).

The ritual involved taking the red heifer outside the camp, where it was slaughtered in the presence of the priest. The priest would then sprinkle some of its blood toward the front of the Tent of Meeting seven times (Numbers 19:3-4). The entire heifer, including its hide, flesh, blood, and offal, was to be burned, and cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet wool were added to the fire (Numbers 19:5-6).

The ashes of the red heifer were collected and stored in a clean place outside the camp. These ashes were then mixed with water to create the "water of purification" (Numbers 19:9). This mixture was used to cleanse individuals who had become defiled by contact with a corpse, a grave, or a bone. The process of purification involved sprinkling the water on the unclean person on the third and seventh days, after which they would wash their clothes and bathe, becoming clean by evening (Numbers 19:11-12).

Despite its role in purification, the ritual itself caused defilement for those involved in its preparation. The priest who performed the sacrifice, the one who burned the heifer, and the person who gathered the ashes all became ceremonially unclean until evening and were required to wash their clothes and bathe (Numbers 19:7-10). This paradox highlights the complex nature of ritual purity laws in the Old Testament, where the act of preparing a means of purification simultaneously rendered the participants temporarily unclean.

The sacrifice of the red heifer and the associated defilement underscore the seriousness with which the Israelites approached the concept of holiness and purity. It reflects the broader biblical theme of separation from death and corruption, emphasizing the need for cleansing and the provision of a divinely ordained means to restore purity.Numbers 19:7
Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.
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