Heifer

A female bovine that has not yet been impregnated or given birth to her first calf. Afterwards it is referred to as a 'cow,' i.e., a virgin cow.

'Heifer' in most English versions translate two Hebrew words, para and 'egla, though they are not always consistent in their renditions. Heifers were kept in ancient Israel mainly to thresh grains, ploughing the land (cf., Samson's metaphorical use of this imagery) and pulling carts. While the bull, par, figures prominently as a sacrificial animal, the heifer was never used in the temple sacrifical system, with the exception of the "red heifer," para 'adumma, whose ashes were used for purifying those who were ceremonially unclean, especially by coming into contact with the dead (Num 19). This is the ceremony referred to by the author of the letter to the Hebrews when comparing its superficial value to the enormously more efficacious value of Christ's blood (Heb 9:13). Nonetheless, the 'egla was commanded by Yahweh to be used for sacrifices on three occasions: 1) with Abraham in Gen 15:9, 2) with Samuel in 1 Sam 16:2, and 3) in the case of an un-resoved killing in Deut 21:1-9 ( ☰).