The Church Fathers on this verse

Numbers 19:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is the observance of the victim, which the Lord hath ordained. Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee a red cow of full age, in which there is no blemish, and which hath not carried the yoke:

Douay-Rheims

זֹ֚את חֻקַּ֣ת הַתּוֹרָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר דַּבֵּ֣ר ׀ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְיִקְח֣וּ אֵלֶיךָ֩ פָרָ֨ה אֲדֻמָּ֜ה תְּמִימָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֵֽין־בָּהּ֙ מ֔וּם אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא־עָלָ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ עֹֽל׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

3 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

The young woman, who is entirely faultless and perfectly devoid of impurity, symbolizes our Lord Jesus Christ. He declared with confidence, "the prince of this world cometh, and in Me he hath nothing" (John 14:30). He also challenged the Jews by asking, "Which of you will reprove Me for unrighteousness? But if I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?" (John 8:46). In the Scriptures, He is referred to both as a calf and as a young woman. This dual imagery conveys His role as a leader through the masculine representation, while the feminine reflects submission and humility. As the sovereign Lord, He reigns over all creation, and alongside God the Father, He governs all things.

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Yet, He willingly submitted to the law and adhered to the commandments of Moses, even though He transcends them, since the law was entrusted to a servant. It is no surprise that He was recognized as a prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15), appearing in the "sight of a servant" (Philippians 2:7), even as He is the Lord and God of those prophets.

The young woman must symbolize a redhead, as the mystery of the Incarnation is fulfilled through His blood, for He “obeyed the Father even unto death, and the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8), redeeming the heavenly realms through His sacrifice. The red coloring serves as a clear sign of this blood. Despite being “obedient” (Philippians 2:8) to the Father and becoming a man among us, He was also called a servant without diminishing the true nature of His incarnate form. He remains free, as He is inherently God and not bound by servitude, having never experienced its weight. He came from above and is above all, originating from the very essence of the freedom that is God and the Father. Thus, it is said that this young woman must be red-haired and pure, having not borne the yoke of captivity. If the Only-begotten “humbled Himself” and willingly assumed “the sight of a servant” (Philippians 2:7), one cannot question that His condescension stemmed from above and arose from His fullness. This voluntary descent appears as though He took on the form of a servant. Consequently, He is portrayed as a young woman because the one in authority appears to be under the law—red-haired, as the foundation of our salvation is built on His blood. She is blameless due to His sinlessness since He knew no sin; she remains untouched by toil and servitude because of His divine freedom, although He conformed to our image and was perceived as a servant.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

How should we interpret the ordinance regarding the young woman with red hair? It was divinely established to be presented as an offering for the transgressions of the entire nation, symbolizing the redemptive suffering that took away the sins of the world. God instructed that this young woman be offered to signify the earth’s body; the name Adam reflects the red soil from which he was created. The purity of this young woman represents the sinlessness of our Lord Christ. No burden was placed upon her, which illustrates the liberty of our Savior; a burden implies bondage, and as the Lord stated when the tribute was requested, “for the sons are free” (Matt. 17:26).

Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)

19th centuryChurch Father

It is clear from the references in Psalm 1:9 and particularly from the apostolic commentary in Hebrews 9:13-14 that the young woman discussed can be seen as a representation of Jesus Christ in several ways. Even those who argue that her physical traits do not echo Christ’s can still recognize this connection. Firstly, her youth can relate to our ancestral mother, whose transgression appears to initiate the path to our profound redemption. Secondly, her complexion symbolizes the agonizing suffering endured by Jesus Christ, as noted in Scripture. Thirdly, her status of being unbound underscores that Jesus Christ was free from the burden of sin, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:21. Lastly, her total consumption by fire can be likened to Christ’s complete sacrifice on the altar of the cross—internally fueled by His deep love for humanity and externally incited by the wrath of God.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.