In biblical times, the heifer, a young female cow that has not borne a calf, held significant agricultural and religious importance. The heifer is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, symbolizing purity, sacrifice, and labor.

Agricultural Role

Heifers were valuable assets in agrarian societies, often used for plowing fields and other labor-intensive tasks. They were considered a sign of wealth and prosperity. In Proverbs 14:4, the strength of an ox, which includes heifers, is associated with abundant harvests: "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox."

Religious Significance

The heifer is most notably associated with the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. In Numbers 19, the ordinance of the red heifer is detailed. This unique sacrifice involved a red heifer without blemish, which was to be slaughtered outside the camp. Its ashes were used for the purification of those who had come into contact with a dead body. Numbers 19:2-3 states, "This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without blemish or defect, which has never been under a yoke. Give it to Eleazar the priest, and he will have it brought outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence."

The red heifer's ashes mixed with water symbolized purification and cleansing from sin, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who cleanses believers from sin.

Symbol of Rebellion and Idolatry

In Hosea 4:16, Israel is compared to a stubborn heifer, illustrating the nation's rebellion against God: "For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?" This metaphor highlights the people's resistance to divine guidance and their tendency toward idolatry.

Symbol of Innocence and Sacrifice

The heifer also appears in the context of innocence and unsolved murder. Deuteronomy 21:1-9 describes the ritual involving a heifer when a slain person is found, and the murderer is unknown. The elders of the nearest city were to break the neck of a heifer in a valley as a form of atonement, declaring their innocence in the matter. This ritual underscored the value of life and the community's responsibility for justice and purity.

Conclusion

The heifer, in its various biblical references, serves as a multifaceted symbol. It represents agricultural prosperity, religious purification, and the consequences of rebellion. Through its sacrificial role, the heifer points to the greater redemptive work of Christ, who fulfills the law and offers ultimate purification for humanity.5697. eglah -- a heifer
... 5696, 5697. eglah. 5698 . a heifer. Transliteration: eglah Phonetic Spelling:
(eg-law') Short Definition: heifer. Word Origin fem. ...
/hebrew/5697.htm - 6k

The Hard-Heartedness of the Jews, for whom the Christians Pray.
... spake to the same effect: Woe unto them that draw their iniquity as with a long
cord, and their transgressions as with the harness of an heifer's yoke: who say ...
/.../chapter cxxxiii the hard-heartedness of the.htm

The Jews Sent Persons through the Whole Earth to Spread Calumnies ...
... again, in other words: [1987] Woe unto them that draw their iniquity as with a long
cord, and their transgressions as with the harness of a heifer's yoke: who ...
/.../chapter xvii the jews sent persons.htm

Book iv. --Of Marcion's Antitheses.
... Of fulgent light!"behold what the calf's blood,. The heifer's ashes, and each goat,
do mean: ... This cause withal. Our victim through "the heifer" manifests. ...
/.../book iv of marcions antitheses.htm

Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... Sacrifice, with the Psalmist, meant not the goat's or heifer's blood-shedding,
but the contrite heart expressed by it. So, with St. ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/bunsens biblical researches.htm

Heifer's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Heifer's (2 Occurrences). Hebrews 9:13 For if the
blood of goats and bulls, and a heifer's ashes sprinkling ...
/h/heifer's.htm - 7k

Watercourse (6 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:4 and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto an
ever-flowing watercourse, which is not tilled, nor is it sown, and shall break ...
/w/watercourse.htm - 10k

Tilled (6 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:4 and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto an
ever-flowing watercourse, which is not tilled, nor is it sown, and shall break ...
/t/tilled.htm - 8k

Rough (24 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:4 And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a
rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the ...
/r/rough.htm - 15k

Eared (1 Occurrence)
... Deuteronomy 21:4 And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a
rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the ...
/e/eared.htm - 7k

Ever-flowing (4 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:4 and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto an
ever-flowing watercourse, which is not tilled, nor is it sown, and shall break ...
/e/ever-flowing.htm - 7k

Plowed (9 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:4 and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer to a valley
with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and shall break the ...
/p/plowed.htm - 9k

Sanctifies (14 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 9:13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and a heifer's ashes sprinkling
the defiled, sanctifies for the purity of the flesh, (DBY RSV). ...
/s/sanctifies.htm - 10k

Sown (45 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:4 and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer to a valley
with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and shall break the ...
/s/sown.htm - 20k

Stream (96 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:4 And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a
rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the ...
/s/stream.htm - 42k

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