Definition: And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 19:10. It's a really important rule about handling animal remains – specifically, ashes from slaughter. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: “After slaughtering an animal, you must thoroughly clean yourself and everything around the carcass before moving on.” Let’s unpack that a bit further: “And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer…” – This refers to the process of cleaning up after slaughtering a cow or other animal (a "heifer" is a young cow). It's about ensuring the area is clean and free of anything that could contaminate the meat. “…shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even:” – This means you need to thoroughly wash yourself and any equipment you use with the animal carcass. “Even” suggests it’s a period of time – a whole day or more. “And it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever.” - This is the key part! It establishes a rule that always needs to happen after cleaning up. It’s meant to be a lasting instruction: For the Children of Israel: This means it applies to all Israelites (the Jewish people) who are traveling or living in the land. And unto the stranger that sojourneth among them: This is for anyone visiting or living in the land with the Israelites – whether they're a traveler, immigrant, or someone else. For a statute for ever: This means this rule is meant to be followed forever . It’s a permanent guideline for how we should handle animal remains after slaughtering. In short, it’s about hygiene and respect for the animals. It's a reminder that we need to treat the remains of animals with care and cleanliness, preserving a sense of reverence and avoiding contamination. Why is this important in the Bible? This commandment has significance because it emphasizes: Respect for Life: It shows a respect for all life – even animal life – and acknowledges that each creature has value. Cleanliness & Purification: It's about maintaining purity and preventing the spread of anything unpleasant, which is a core theme in many religious traditions. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give an example of how this rule might be followed in practice? Connect it to a specific biblical story or concept?