Latest Posts

Screen Shot 2025-08-08 at 11.36.08 PM

Pre-concert bites in Araneta City: Energy boosters before a show! 

Screen Shot 2025-08-08 at 11.26.14 PM

Taste the flavors of ASEAN at Araneta City

Screen Shot 2025-08-08 at 6.25.00 AM

Savor the Season with Our Late-Summer Offers

The Red Heifer in the Bible: What does it signify?

cow

SHARE

The concept of the red heifer is a notable aspect of certain biblical texts and traditions within Judaism, especially in connection with the idea of ritual purification and the rebuilding of the Third Temple. 

This article will explore the origins of the red heifer in the Bible, its role in Jewish traditions, and the modern interest in its significance.

What is heifer?

A heifer is a young female cow, especially one that has not yet given birth to a calf. In general English usage, there isn’t a direct synonym for “heifer” because it refers specifically to a female cow that has not borne offspring. However, in agricultural contexts, terms like “young cow” or “maiden cow” might be used to describe a heifer.

Photo courtesy: My Jewish Learning

What is the red heifer in the bible?

The primary reference to the red heifer in the Bible is found in the Old Testament book of Numbers, chapter 19. This passage outlines the ritual involving a red heifer that the Israelites were to perform for purification:

“The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: This is a statute of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer, without defect and in which there is no blemish, and which has never borne a yoke. You shall give it to the priest Eleazar, and it shall be taken outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence. Then the priest Eleazar shall take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle it seven times towards the front of the tent of meeting.” (Numbers 19:1-4)

Photo courtesy: Unsplash

Significance in Jewish Tradition

The red heifer has deep symbolic and ritual significance in Jewish tradition. The heifer must be completely red without blemish or defect and have never been used for any work. Finding such an animal is rare, and when a red heifer is found, it is considered a major religious event.

The ashes of the red heifer are necessary for the ritual purification of individuals who have been defiled by contact with death. Since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the ritual of the red heifer has not been carried out because it was primarily associated with the Temple’s rituals.

Modern Interest and the Third Temple

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the concept of the red heifer, particularly among groups in Judaism that advocate for the rebuilding of the Third Temple in Jerusalem. According to some interpretations, the ashes of the red heifer are necessary to ritually purify individuals involved in the process of rebuilding the Temple.

Several organizations are actively seeking to breed red heifers that meet the stringent biblical criteria. When a suitable red heifer is found, it is seen by some as a sign of the potential imminent rebuilding of the Third Temple. This belief has led to a great deal of speculation and interest in the potential implications of finding a red heifer.

Photo courtesy: Unsplash

Conclusion

The red heifer remains an intriguing and significant aspect of biblical tradition and contemporary Jewish thought. While its immediate role in ritual purification is currently suspended due to the absence of the Temple, the search for and discussions about the red heifer continue to evoke strong interest and anticipation regarding its possible role in future religious events.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo: My Jewish Learning

RELATED ARTICLES

Screen Shot 2025-08-08 at 11.36.08 PM

Pre-concert bites in Araneta City: Energy boosters before a show! 

The month of August has just begun but Araneta City’s weekend is already bustling with an exciting line up of shows, from Super Divas: The Concert,...
Screen Shot 2025-08-08 at 11.26.14 PM

Taste the flavors of ASEAN at Araneta City

Southeast Asia isn’t just a region—it’s a rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and cuisines. From street-side hawker delights to elevated takes on heritage dishes, the...
Screen Shot 2025-08-08 at 6.25.00 AM

Savor the Season with Our Late-Summer Offers

ELEVATE YOUR STAY Make your stay with us extra memorable by booking a room or suite with access to our Gallery Club Lounge. Along with...
bible 1

Learning to Wait Well: Faith in Delayed Seasons

Waiting. It’s a word that often feels like a quiet ache, especially in seasons where prayers seem to echo unanswered. Yet for believers, waiting is...
appearance

Did This Viral Video Capture a Glimpse of Heaven?

Something strange is happening in the skies—and people around the world are starting to ask the question: Did we just witness a glimpse of Heaven?...
game

Get to know Amon the Forgeknight, one of the all-new Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4!

2K and Gearbox Software shared the Gameplay Overview for Amon the Forgeknight, the third in a series of introductions to the four all-new Vault Hunters...
Screen Shot 2025-08-08 at 11.36.08 PM

Pre-concert bites in Araneta City: Energy boosters before a show! 

The month of August has just begun but Araneta City’s weekend is already bustling with an exciting line up of shows, from Super Divas: The Concert,...
Screen Shot 2025-08-08 at 11.26.14 PM

Taste the flavors of ASEAN at Araneta City

Southeast Asia isn’t just a region—it’s a rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and cuisines. From street-side hawker delights to elevated takes on heritage dishes, the...
Screen Shot 2025-08-08 at 6.25.00 AM

Savor the Season with Our Late-Summer Offers

ELEVATE YOUR STAY Make your stay with us extra memorable by booking a room or suite with access to our Gallery Club Lounge. Along with...

Don't Miss

jesus 2

Did You See This? Jesus-Like Image Forms in Clouds After Mass in Naga, PH

jesus 1

They Thought It Was Jesus… But Was It Something Else?

israel 1

Why Supporting Israel Isn’t Optional Anymore: The Reality from Tel Aviv

Screenshot

Support Israel: Key Contact Numbers and Websites