Num 19:6 | TNotes | STEP | 19:6 The only other passage where a stick of cedar, a hyssop branch, and some scarlet yarn occur together is Lev 14 , which describes another ceremony (also “outside the camp”) that brought about ceremonial purification. Some scholars suggest that Eleazar added cedarwood and hyssop to produce an aroma. Hyssop is associated with purification (Exod 12:22 ; Ps 51:7 ; cp. Heb 9:19 ), and the scarlet yarn, like the red heifer, probably symbolized blood. Taken together, the cedarwood, hyssop, and scarlet symbolize cleansing.

bLev 14►

cExod 12:22►

dPs 51:7►

eHeb 9:19►

‏ Numbers 19:6

19:6 ^a The only other passage where a stick of cedar, a hyssop branch, and some scarlet yarn occur together is Lev 14 ^b, which describes another ceremony (also “outside the camp”) that brought about ceremonial purification. Some scholars suggest that Eleazar added cedarwood and hyssop to produce an aroma. Hyssop is associated with purification (Exod 12:22 ^c; Ps 51:7 ^d; cp. Heb 9:19 ^e), and the scarlet yarn, like the red heifer, probably symbolized blood. Taken together, the cedarwood, hyssop, and scarlet symbolize cleansing.