Discovery BoxNumbers 19:6 
Context19:6 And the priest must take cedar wood, hyssop, 1 and scarlet wool and throw them into the midst of the fire where the heifer is burning. 2
Numbers 24:6
Context24:6 They are like 3 valleys 4 stretched forth,
like gardens by the river’s side,
like aloes 5 that the Lord has planted,
and like cedar trees beside the waters.
1 sn In addition to the general references, see R. K. Harrison, “The Biblical Problem of Hyssop,” EvQ 26 (1954): 218-24.
2 sn There is no clear explanation available as to why these items were to be burned with the heifer. N. H. Snaith suggests that in accordance with Babylonian sacrifices they would have enhanced the rites with an aroma (Leviticus and Numbers [NCB], 272). In Lev 14 the wood and the hyssop may have been bound together by the scarlet wool to make a sprinkling device. It may be that the symbolism is what is important here. Cedar wood, for example, is durable; it may have symbolized resistance to future corruption and defilement, an early acquired immunity perhaps (R. K. Harrison, Numbers [WEC], 256).
3 tn Heb “as valleys they spread forth.”
4 tn Or “rows of palms.”
5 sn The language seems to be more poetic than precise. N. H. Snaith notes that cedars do not grow beside water; he also connects “aloes” to the eaglewood that is more exotic, and capable of giving off an aroma (Leviticus and Numbers [NCB], 298).
