Definition: And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and [one] shall slay her before his face:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Numbers 19:3. It's a pretty serious instruction given to a man who has a woman in his possession – likely a wife or a young woman. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Situation: This verse is about a ritual sacrifice . The man is telling someone (likely a priest) to immediately and without delay take this woman out of her home and bring her before God – specifically, the priest who is responsible for the temple rituals. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest…” - This means the man is instructing someone to hand over a specific woman to a priest. “…that he may bring her forth without the camp…” – "The camp" refers to a place where priests perform rituals and ceremonies. “Bring her forth” means to take her out of her home or residence. It's being taken outside of the usual religious setting. “[one] shall slay her before his face:” - This is the crucial part. It says that one individual, a priest, will be responsible for killing this woman – before his face . What does it mean? This verse is incredibly strict and focused on a ritualistic act. It’s meant to highlight: The Importance of Religious Ritual: This passage underscores the absolute importance of religious rituals in the Old Testament, particularly concerning sacrifices and offerings. It's about maintaining a sacred connection with God through these practices. The Priest's Role: The priest is specifically tasked with carrying out this act – he’s the one who has the authority to kill someone. It’s Not Just Any Killing: The word “slay” suggests a deliberate and symbolic killing, not just any casual action. It’s about making a visible sign of devotion and acknowledging God’s power. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a very harsh punishment for the man who has the woman in his possession. It's a powerful example of how religious practices could be used to control or punish individuals. In short, this passage describes a ritual sacrifice – a deliberate killing of a woman – as a consequence for a transgression. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a biblical scholar. This explanation is based on common interpretations of the text within religious traditions. Would you like me to: Explain another verse from this passage? Discuss its context in the larger story of the Old Testament?