Moses, mediating Yahweh's covenant instruction to Israel within the Torah.
Cleansing, Restoration, and the Return From Outside the Camp
The holy Lord provides a way for the healed and the contaminated to be examined, cleansed, atoned for, and restored, while persistent defilement must be removed from the community.
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The holy Lord provides a way for the healed and the contaminated to be examined, cleansed, atoned for, and restored, while persistent defilement must be removed from the community.
Leviticus 14 teaches that uncleanness and exclusion need not be permanent when the Lord grants healing and cleansing. The priest goes outside the camp, examines the healed person, and oversees a staged restoration involving blood, water, released life, washing, shaving, waiting, sacrifice, anointing oil, and atonement. The chapter also teaches that impurity can affect houses in the land, and that the holy community must handle contamination patiently but decisively.
Restoration is real, but persistent corruption must be removed.
Israel's covenant community, especially priests responsible to examine, cleanse, and restore those healed from defiling skin disease, and families who must respond properly to contamination in houses once Israel enters the land.
Leviticus 14 follows Leviticus 13, where priests diagnose defiling skin disease and contaminated garments. Leviticus 14 now provides the cleansing procedures for a person healed from the disease, including rites outside the camp, washing, shaving, offerings, priestly atonement, and restoration. The chapter also anticipates Israel's future life in Canaan by giving procedures for house contamination.
The holy Lord provides a way for the healed and the contaminated to be examined, cleansed, atoned for, and restored, while persistent defilement must be removed from the community.
Moses, mediating Yahweh's covenant instruction to Israel within the Torah.
Israel's covenant community, especially priests responsible to examine, cleanse, and restore those healed from defiling skin disease, and families who must respond properly to contamination in houses once Israel enters the land.
Leviticus 14 follows Leviticus 13, where priests diagnose defiling skin disease and contaminated garments. Leviticus 14 now provides the cleansing procedures for a person healed from the disease, including rites outside the camp, washing, shaving, offerings, priestly atonement, and restoration. The chapter also anticipates Israel's future life in Canaan by giving procedures for house contamination.
- Israel must learn that exclusion because of uncleanness is not the final word when the Lord grants cleansing. The community must protect holiness, but it must also provide a path of restoration. Priests must not merely diagnose uncleanness · they must also oversee the return of the healed person to worship and community.
Ancient communities often treated visible skin disease and household contamination with fear and stigma. Leviticus 14 gives Israel a structured, priestly, sacrificial, and symbolic process for reintegration. The ritual uses birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, hyssop, water, blood, oil, washing, shaving, and offerings, emphasizing cleansing, life, atonement, and restored access to the holy community.
After redemption from Egypt, covenant at Sinai, tabernacle completion, sacrificial instruction, priestly ordination, and clean/unclean instruction, Leviticus 14 shows how the holy community handles restoration. The chapter anticipates Christ by showing the need for cleansing that brings the excluded back near.
The Lord gives Moses cleansing rites for the person healed of defiling skin disease, moving from examination outside the camp to a two-bird cleansing rite, washing and shaving, seven-day waiting, eighth-day offerings, blood and oil application, poverty provision, and then instructions for diagnosing, cleansing, or destroying contaminated houses in the promised land.
Theological exposition and fulfillment
Leviticus 14 clarifies the gospel by showing that the unclean need cleansing, atonement, priestly mediation, and restored access. The priest goes outside the camp to examine the healed person, but Christ goes further: He enters the place of uncleanness, cleanses by His authority, bears reproach outside the gate, and sanctifies His people by His blood. The gospel is not merely a declaration that uncleanness exists; it is the good news that Christ cleanses and restores.
The priest examines the person outside the camp to determine whether healing has occurred.
Blood, fresh water, cedar, scarlet yarn, hyssop, sprinkling, declaration, and live-bird release enact cleansing and return toward life.
The cleansed person washes, shaves, bathes, waits seven days, and repeats shaving and washing.
Guilt, sin, burnt, and grain offerings complete restoration through priestly atonement.
Blood and oil are applied to ear, thumb, and toe, consecrating the restored person for renewed covenant life.
Reduced offerings are allowed for the poor while retaining the essential guilt offering, blood, oil, and atonement rites.
In Canaan, priests inspect suspected contamination in houses and take measured action.
Persistent contamination requires the house to be demolished and removed to an unclean place.
A house healed from contamination is cleansed with a rite parallel to the personal cleansing rite.
The laws enable priests to determine clean and unclean status.
- 14:1-3: The priest goes to the place of exclusion to examine whether the defiling disease has been healed.
- 14:4-7: Two birds, cedar, scarlet yarn, hyssop, blood, fresh water, sevenfold sprinkling, and release enact cleansing and return from uncleanness.
- 14:8-9: The person washes and shaves, returns to the camp, waits outside the tent, and completes the seventh-day washing and shaving.
- 14:10-20: The eighth-day offerings restore the cleansed person to worship through guilt, sin, burnt, and grain offerings.
- 14:21-32: Those who cannot afford the full offering may bring reduced offerings, and the priest still makes atonement for them.
- 14:33-42: House contamination is inspected by priests, temporarily closed, and treated through removal, scraping, replacement, and replastering.
- 14:43-47: If contamination returns, the house is torn down and its materials removed to an unclean place.
- 14:48-53: If the house is healed, it is cleansed with a rite similar to the restored person's cleansing rite.
- 14:54-57: The chapter closes by summarizing the purpose of the laws: priestly determination of clean and unclean.
Theological Argument
Leviticus 14 teaches that uncleanness and exclusion need not be permanent when the Lord grants healing and cleansing. The priest goes outside the camp, examines the healed person, and oversees a staged restoration involving blood, water, released life, washing, shaving, waiting, sacrifice, anointing oil, and atonement. The chapter also teaches that impurity can affect houses in the land, and that the holy community must handle contamination patiently but decisively.
Restoration is real, but persistent corruption must be removed.
From outside-the-camp examination to initial cleansing, from preliminary return to full sacrificial restoration, from standard offerings to poverty provision, and from personal uncleanness to house contamination and cleansing.
- 1.The person previously declared unclean does not restore himself; the priest must examine and declare according to the LORD's instruction.
- 2.The priest goes outside the camp, showing that restoration begins with priestly initiative toward the excluded.
- 3.Healing must be distinguished from cleansing; the person may be healed before being ritually restored.
- 4.The two-bird rite symbolically moves from death and blood to released life.
- 5.Cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop connect cleansing with durable, visible, and ritual purification elements.
- 6.Sevenfold sprinkling marks complete ritual cleansing before declaration.
- 7.Washing and shaving remove old impurity associations and prepare the person for return.
- 8.The person returns to the camp before full tent-life restoration, showing staged reintegration.
- 9.The eighth-day offerings complete the process before the LORD at the tent of meeting.
- 10.The guilt offering is central and receives distinctive blood application on ear, thumb, and toe.
- 11.Blood and oil on ear, thumb, and toe echo priestly ordination, showing that restored life is consecrated life.
- 12.Sin, burnt, and grain offerings bring purification, consecration, tribute, and full atonement.
- 13.The poverty provision shows that poverty must not block cleansing and return.
- 14.House contamination anticipates Israel's settled life in Canaan and extends holiness into domestic space.
- 15.Suspected contamination is handled with examination, waiting, and reinspection rather than panic.
- 16.Persistent contamination must be destroyed and removed because holiness cannot coexist with spreading defilement.
- 17.A healed house is cleansed through blood, water, and released life, paralleling personal restoration.
- 18.The chapter ends by emphasizing priestly discernment between clean and unclean.
Theological Focus
- Cleansing
- Restoration
- Priestly examination
- Outside the camp
- Healing and cleansing distinction
- Blood and water
- Living bird released
- Washing and shaving
- Guilt offering
- Sin offering
- Burnt offering
- Grain offering
- Atonement
- Oil anointing
- Mercy for the poor
- House contamination
- Persistent defilement
- Clean and unclean discernment
- The Lord Provides Restoration for the Excluded
- Healing and Cleansing Are Related but Distinct
- The Priest Goes Outside the Camp
- Blood, Water, and Released Life Mark Cleansing
- Restored Life Is Consecrated Life
- Atonement Restores Worship Access
- The Poor Are Not Excluded From Restoration
- Holiness Extends Into the Home
- Persistent Defilement Must Be Removed
- Priestly Discernment Guards Restoration and Removal
- Holiness
- Priestly Mediation
- Consecrated Life
- Mercy for the Poor
- Impurity
- Persistent Defilement Removed
- Christ the Cleanser
- Christ Outside the Camp
Theological Themes
The person who lived outside the camp can be examined, cleansed, and restored through the Lord's appointed process.
The person must be healed before the cleansing rite begins, but healing alone does not complete ritual restoration.
The priest does not wait only inside the sanctuary system; He goes to the place of exclusion to examine the person and begin restoration.
The two-bird rite uses death, blood, fresh water, sprinkling, and a living bird released into the open field to signify movement from uncleanness toward life.
Blood and oil on the ear, thumb, and toe indicate that the restored person is returned not to autonomous living but to covenant obedience.
The priest makes atonement through offerings, and the person is clean before the Lord.
Reduced offerings preserve full cleansing access for those without means.
House contamination laws show that the Lord's holiness reaches domestic space in the promised land.
If contamination returns and spreads, the house must be dismantled and removed to an unclean place.
The priest must know when to cleanse and when to destroy, when to declare clean and when to declare unclean.
Covenant Significance
Leviticus 14 gives Israel a pathway from exclusion to restoration while preserving the holiness of the camp and future homes in Canaan. It shows that the covenant community is not merely a place that excludes uncleanness; it is also a place where the healed may return through God's appointed cleansing. The chapter also anticipates Israel's settled land life, where even houses must be examined under the Lord's holiness.
- The priest examines the healed person outside the camp.
- The cleansing rite begins before the person fully reenters ordinary life.
- The restored person is washed, shaved, and reintegrated in stages.
- The eighth-day offerings restore the person to worship before the Lord.
- Blood and oil consecrate the restored person for renewed covenant life.
- The poverty provision ensures full restoration for poor Israelites.
- House contamination laws anticipate life in the land of Canaan.
- The owner must report suspected contamination rather than hide it.
- A contaminated house may be treated, cleansed, or destroyed depending on the priestly examination.
- The final summary underscores the priestly task of determining clean and unclean.
- Leviticus 13 diagnoses the defiling disease and garment contamination for which Leviticus 14 provides cleansing or removal.
- Leviticus 10:10-11 gives the priestly mandate to distinguish clean from unclean.
- Numbers 5:1-4 commands the unclean to be sent outside the camp so the camp is not defiled.
- Numbers 12 shows Miriam restored after exclusion outside the camp.
- 2 Kings 5 shows Naaman healed of skin disease, highlighting divine power to cleanse beyond ordinary priestly diagnosis.
- Psalm 51 uses hyssop imagery to pray for cleansing.
- Ezekiel 36 promises cleansing with clean water and a new heart.
- Hebrews 13 connects outside-the-camp reproach with Christ's sanctifying death.
Canonical Connections
Leviticus 13 diagnoses defiling disease and contamination; Leviticus 14 provides cleansing and restoration when healing occurs.
The chapter continues the priestly task of distinguishing clean from unclean.
The person once sent outside the camp is now examined there and may be restored.
Miriam's seven-day exclusion and return to camp illustrate the social dimension of skin-disease uncleanness.
Hyssop appears in cleansing rites and later becomes imagery for cleansing from sin.
The fresh water in cleansing rites resonates canonically with later promises of cleansing water and renewed hearts.
Jesus cleanses those with leprosy-like disease and sends them to the priest according to Moses' command.
The outside-the-camp trajectory finds fulfillment in Christ's suffering outside the gate to sanctify His people.
Old Covenant cleansing rites are surpassed by Christ's blood, which cleanses the conscience.
Cross References
Leviticus 14 clarifies the gospel by showing that the unclean need cleansing, atonement, priestly mediation, and restored access. The priest goes outside the camp to examine the healed person, but Christ goes further: He enters the place of uncleanness, cleanses by His authority, bears reproach outside the gate, and sanctifies His people by His blood. The gospel is not merely a declaration that uncleanness exists; it is the good news that Christ cleanses and restores.
- The unclean person outside the camp needs restoration to worship and community.
- The priestly process begins when healing has occurred, but cleansing must still be applied.
- Blood and water mark cleansing and restoration before the Lord.
- The released bird signifies movement from death toward life and freedom.
- The guilt offering shows that restoration involves liability addressed before God.
- Blood and oil on ear, thumb, and toe show that restored life is consecrated life.
- The poverty provision shows that God's way of cleansing is not reserved for the wealthy.
- Jesus cleanses lepers with authority and compassion.
- Jesus suffers outside the gate to sanctify His people by His blood.
- Christ's cleansing reaches the conscience and opens lasting access to God.
- Do not reduce Leviticus 14 to hygiene or ancient medicine.
- Do not preach restoration without atonement.
- Do not preach holiness without the hope of cleansing.
- Do not treat the poor person's offering as inferior in result.
- Do not apply house contamination as a simplistic one-to-one symbol for every modern household problem.
- Do not use uncleanness language to shame the sick or excluded.
- Do not stop with the priestly rite · move to Christ, who heals, cleanses, and restores.
- Do not separate Christ's leper-cleansing miracles from their Levitical background.
Primary Emphasis
Leviticus 14 prepares for Christ by showing that the unclean need more than diagnosis; they need cleansing, atonement, and restoration. The priest's journey outside the camp anticipates the mercy of Christ, who comes to the unclean, touches lepers, cleanses them, and ultimately suffers outside the gate to sanctify His people by His blood.
Chapter Contribution
Leviticus 14 teaches that uncleanness and exclusion need not be permanent when the Lord grants healing and cleansing. The priest goes outside the camp, examines the healed person, and oversees a staged restoration involving blood, water, released life, washing, shaving, waiting, sacrifice, anointing oil, and atonement. The chapter also teaches that impurity can affect houses in the land, and that the holy community must handle contamination patiently but decisively.
Restoration is real, but persistent corruption must be removed.
Restoration still requires sacrificial atonement regardless of economic status.
Restored individuals are set apart for renewed obedience and devotion.
Purity laws extend into settled life in the promised land.
The covenant community must be trained to recognize impurity.
God provides means for all people to participate in covenant restoration.
Access to the community and God's presence requires recognized purification.
God requires His people to distinguish what is acceptable in His presence.
Persistent impurity cannot remain within the covenant community.
The environment where God’s people live must be kept free from defilement.
Restoration includes cleansing, atonement, and re-dedication of life.
God does not show favoritism based on wealth in matters of restoration.
The law functions as teaching that shapes understanding and behavior.
God establishes structured guidance for maintaining communal holiness.
The priest determines the condition and required response to impurity.
The priest administers the sacrificial process that restores access to God.
Impurity must be addressed at its source to prevent further contamination.
God provides a structured path for reintegration into the covenant community.
What is genuinely cleansed may be restored to use and fellowship.
Cleansing involves both symbolic and physical actions reflecting restoration.
Dwellings are included in the sphere of God's holiness among His people.
The chapter protects the holiness of the camp, the tent of meeting, and future homes in the land.
The chapter gives cleansing rites for a person healed from defiling skin disease and for houses healed from contamination.
The priest examines, declares, cleanses, offers sacrifices, applies blood and oil, and makes atonement.
The priest makes atonement for the cleansed person and for the cleansed house.
The chapter provides a path from outside-the-camp exclusion back to community and worship participation.
Blood and oil on the ear, thumb, and toe mark the restored person for renewed obedience before the Lord.
The chapter provides reduced offerings for those unable to afford the standard sacrifices.
The chapter addresses personal and domestic impurity that must be cleansed or removed.
A house with returning contamination must be destroyed and removed to an unclean place.
Jesus fulfills the cleansing hope by healing and cleansing the unclean through His authority and blood.
Christ suffers outside the gate to sanctify His people, fulfilling the outside-the-camp trajectory.
Theological exposition and fulfillment
- Leviticus 14 clarifies the gospel by showing that the unclean need cleansing, atonement, priestly mediation, and restored access. The priest goes outside the camp to examine the healed person, but Christ goes further: He enters the place of uncleanness, cleanses by His authority, bears reproach outside the gate, and sanctifies His people by His blood. The gospel is not merely a declaration that uncleanness exists; it is the good news that Christ cleanses and restores.
Sense instruction, law
Definition instruction, law
References 14:2, 14:32, 14:54, 14:57
Why it matters The chapter repeatedly identifies these procedures as instruction concerning cleansing and clean/unclean determination.
Sense to cleanse, declare clean, be clean
Definition to cleanse, declare clean, be clean
References 14:2, 14:4, 14:7-9, 14:11, 14:14, 14:17-20, 14:25, 14:28-31, 14:48, 14:53, 14:57
Why it matters The central verb for cleansing and clean status, used for persons and houses.
Sense defiling skin disease, scale disease, contamination
Definition defiling skin disease, scale disease, contamination
References 14:2, 14:3, 14:32, 14:34, 14:44, 14:54, 14:57
Why it matters The defiling disease or contamination addressed by the chapter's cleansing rites.
Sense priest
Definition priest
References 14:2-5, 14:11-20, 14:22-31, 14:35-53
Why it matters The priest examines, commands, presents, applies blood and oil, offers sacrifices, makes atonement, and declares clean.
Sense to go out, come out
Definition to go out, come out
References 14:3, 14:40, 14:41, 14:45
Why it matters The priest goes outside the camp, and contaminated house materials are taken out to an unclean place.
Sense outside
Definition outside
References 14:3, 14:8, 14:40-41, 14:45, 14:53
Why it matters The outside location is central to examination, exclusion, removal, and release.
Sense camp
Definition camp
References 14:3, 14:8
Why it matters The healed person is examined outside the camp and then restored to the camp in stages.
Sense to see, examine
Definition to see, examine
References 14:3, 14:37, 14:39, 14:44, 14:48
Why it matters The priest examines the person or house to determine whether healing or contamination is present.
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Sense to heal
Definition to heal
References 14:3, 14:48
Why it matters Healing precedes ritual cleansing for the person and is used analogically for the house.
Sense to take
Definition to take
References 14:4, 14:6, 14:10, 14:12, 14:14-15, 14:21-24, 14:49, 14:51
Why it matters Priests take birds, materials, offerings, blood, and oil as part of the cleansing process.
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Sense bird
Definition bird
References 14:4-7, 14:49-53
Why it matters Two clean birds are used in cleansing rites for persons and houses.
Sense living, alive
Definition living, alive
References 14:4, 14:5-7, 14:50-53
Why it matters The living bird and living water emphasize life in the cleansing rite.
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Sense clean
Definition clean
References 14:4, 14:7-8, 14:9, 14:20, 14:48, 14:53, 14:57
Why it matters Clean status is the goal of the rites and declarations.
Sense wood, tree
Definition wood, tree
References 14:4, 14:6, 14:45, 14:49, 14:51-52
Why it matters Cedar wood is used in cleansing rites, while house timbers may be removed if contaminated.
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Sense cedar
Definition cedar
References 14:4, 14:6, 14:49, 14:51-52
Why it matters Cedar wood is one of the materials used in the cleansing rite.
Sense scarlet
Definition scarlet
References 14:4, 14:6, 14:49, 14:51-52
Why it matters Scarlet yarn is included among the cleansing materials.
Sense worm, scarlet material
Definition worm, scarlet material
References 14:4, 14:6, 14:49, 14:51-52
Why it matters Used with scarlet material in the cleansing rite.
Sense hyssop
Definition hyssop
References 14:4, 14:6, 14:49, 14:51-52
Why it matters Hyssop is used as a cleansing material in sprinkling rites.
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Sense to slaughter
Definition to slaughter
References 14:5, 14:13, 14:25, 14:50
Why it matters One bird and sacrificial animals are slaughtered in the cleansing and offering rites.
Sense earthenware, clay
Definition earthenware, clay
References 14:5, 14:50
Why it matters The bird is slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot.
Sense water
Definition water
References 14:5-6, 14:8-9, 14:50-52
Why it matters Fresh water is used in the cleansing rite, and washing/bathing in water accompanies restoration.
Sense blood
Definition blood
References 14:6-7, 14:14, 14:17, 14:25, 14:28, 14:51-52
Why it matters Blood is central to cleansing, sprinkling, and consecrating the restored person or house.
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Sense to dip
Definition to dip
References 14:6, 14:16, 14:51
Why it matters The live bird and cleansing materials are dipped in blood-water, and the priest dips His finger in oil.
Sense to sprinkle
Definition to sprinkle
References 14:7, 14:16, 14:27, 14:51
Why it matters Sprinkling is used in cleansing the person and the house, including sevenfold action.
Sense seven
Definition seven
References 14:7, 14:8-9, 14:16, 14:27, 14:38, 14:51
Why it matters Seven marks completeness in sprinkling, waiting, washing, and inspection periods.
Sense to send, release
Definition to send, release
References 14:7, 14:53
Why it matters The live bird is released into the open field after the cleansing rite.
Sense field, open country
Definition field, open country
References 14:7, 14:53
Why it matters The live bird is released into the open field, symbolizing release from the sphere of uncleanness.
Sense to wash
Definition to wash
References 14:8-9, 14:47
Why it matters The cleansed person washes clothes, and those affected by house impurity wash clothes.
Sense to shave
Definition to shave
References 14:8-9
Why it matters The restored person shaves hair as part of the cleansing process.
Sense to wash, bathe
Definition to wash, bathe
References 14:8-9
Why it matters The person bathes in water as part of cleansing.
Sense to enter, come, bring
Definition to enter, come, bring
References 14:8, 14:10-11, 14:21, 14:23, 14:34-35, 14:46
Why it matters The restored person comes into the camp, brings offerings, and house contamination is brought to priestly attention.
Sense to sit, remain, dwell
Definition to sit, remain, dwell
References 14:8
Why it matters The restored person remains outside His tent for seven days after returning to the camp.
Sense tent
Definition tent
References 14:8, 14:11, 14:23
Why it matters The person remains outside His tent initially, then is presented at the tent of meeting.
Sense day
Definition day
References 14:8-10, 14:23, 14:38-39
Why it matters Days structure the cleansing process, especially the seventh and eighth days.
Sense eighth
Definition eighth
References 14:10, 14:23
Why it matters The eighth day is the day of full sacrificial restoration.
Sense lamb
Definition lamb
References 14:10, 14:12-13, 14:21, 14:24-25
Why it matters Male lambs are used in the standard offering, with one retained in the poverty provision for the guilt offering.
Sense ewe lamb
Definition ewe lamb
References 14:10
Why it matters A year-old ewe lamb is included in the standard offering set.
Sense without defect, complete
Definition without defect, complete
References 14:10
Why it matters The offerings must be without defect.
Sense tenth measure
Definition tenth measure
References 14:10, 14:21
Why it matters Fine flour measures are specified for the grain offering.
Sense fine flour
Definition fine flour
References 14:10, 14:21
Why it matters Fine flour mixed with oil accompanies the offerings.
Sense grain offering, tribute offering
Definition grain offering, tribute offering
References 14:10, 14:20-21, 14:31
Why it matters The grain offering accompanies restoration sacrifices.
Sense to mix
Definition to mix
References 14:10, 14:21
Why it matters Fine flour is mixed with oil for the grain offering.
Sense oil
Definition oil
References 14:10, 14:12, 14:15-18, 14:21, 14:24, 14:26-29
Why it matters Oil is waved, sprinkled, and applied to the restored person, marking consecration.
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Sense to present, stand
Definition to present, stand
References 14:11
Why it matters The priest presents the person and offerings before the Lord.
Sense face, presence
Definition face, presence
References 14:11, 14:23, 14:31
Why it matters The restored person and offerings are presented before the Lord.
Sense guilt offering, reparation offering
Definition guilt offering, reparation offering
References 14:12-14, 14:17, 14:21, 14:24-25, 14:28
Why it matters The guilt offering is central in the cleansing rite and supplies blood for ear, thumb, and toe.
Sense wave offering
Definition wave offering
References 14:12, 14:21, 14:24
Why it matters The guilt offering and oil are waved before the Lord.
Sense place
Definition place
References 14:13
Why it matters The guilt offering is slaughtered in the holy place where sin and burnt offerings are slaughtered.
Sense sin offering, purification offering
Definition sin offering, purification offering
References 14:13, 14:19, 14:22, 14:31
Why it matters The sin offering purifies and contributes to atonement in the restoration process.
Sense burnt offering, ascent offering
Definition burnt offering, ascent offering
References 14:13, 14:19-22, 14:31
Why it matters The burnt offering completes consecrated approach before the Lord.
Sense holy thing, holiness
Definition holy thing, holiness
References 14:13
Why it matters The offerings belong to the holy sphere and are handled in the holy place.
Sense to put, place, give
Definition to put, place, give
References 14:14, 14:17-18, 14:25, 14:28-29, 14:34, 14:41
Why it matters Blood and oil are put on the person, and the Lord gives Israel the land where house contamination may appear.
Sense lobe, tip of ear
Definition lobe, tip of ear
References 14:14, 14:17, 14:25, 14:28
Why it matters Blood and oil are applied to the right ear lobe of the restored person.
Sense ear
Definition ear
References 14:14, 14:17, 14:25, 14:28
Why it matters The ear is consecrated through blood and oil, signifying renewed hearing before the Lord.
Sense right, right side
Definition right, right side
References 14:14, 14:17, 14:25, 14:28
Why it matters The right ear, right thumb, and right big toe receive blood and oil.
Sense thumb, big toe
Definition thumb, big toe
References 14:14, 14:17, 14:25, 14:28
Why it matters The thumb and big toe are marked with blood and oil, signifying consecrated service and walk.
Sense hand, means
Definition hand, means
References 14:14-17, 14:21-22, 14:25-28, 14:30-31
Why it matters The right hand is marked, and the poverty provision is based on what the person's hand can afford.
Sense foot
Definition foot
References 14:14, 14:17, 14:25, 14:28
Why it matters The right foot is marked with blood and oil, signifying restored walking before God.
Sense palm, hand
Definition palm, hand
References 14:15-16, 14:26-27
Why it matters The priest pours oil into His palm and uses it for sprinkling and application.
Sense finger
Definition finger
References 14:16, 14:27
Why it matters The priest uses His finger to sprinkle oil before the Lord.
Sense head
Definition head
References 14:18, 14:29
Why it matters The remaining oil is put on the head of the person being cleansed.
Sense to make atonement, cover, purge
Definition to make atonement, cover, purge
References 14:18-21, 14:29-31, 14:53
Why it matters The priest makes atonement for the restored person and the restored house.
Sense poor, weak
Definition poor, weak
References 14:21
Why it matters The law provides alternate offerings for the poor person.
Sense enough, sufficiency
Definition enough, sufficiency
References 14:21-22, 14:30-31
Why it matters The offering is adjusted according to what the person's means can afford.
Sense to reach, afford
Definition to reach, afford
References 14:21-22, 14:30-31
Why it matters The poverty provision depends on what the person can afford.
Sense turtledove
Definition turtledove
References 14:22, 14:30
Why it matters Turtledoves may be used in the poverty provision.
Sense dove, pigeon
Definition dove, pigeon
References 14:22, 14:30
Why it matters Young pigeons may be used in the poverty provision.
Sense land, earth
Definition land, earth
References 14:34, 14:53
Why it matters The house contamination laws anticipate Israel entering the land of Canaan.
Sense Canaan
Definition Canaan
References 14:34
Why it matters The land where house contamination laws will apply after Israel receives it as a possession.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Sense possession
Definition possession
References 14:34
Why it matters Canaan is given to Israel as a possession, where holiness must extend into homes.
Sense house
Definition house
References 14:34-53, 14:55
Why it matters Houses in the land may be examined, treated, cleansed, or destroyed due to contamination.
Cross-language bridge 4 links · View in lexicon
Sense plague, mark, affliction, contamination
Definition plague, mark, affliction, contamination
References 14:34-37, 14:39, 14:43-44, 14:48, 14:54-57
Why it matters The term describes the contamination or mark in houses and the broader affliction category.
Sense to turn, clear out
Definition to turn, clear out
References 14:36
Why it matters The house is cleared before priestly inspection to prevent unnecessary uncleanness of contents.
Sense to shut, close, quarantine
Definition to shut, close, quarantine
References 14:38, 14:46
Why it matters A suspect house is closed for seven days during examination.
Sense to spread
Definition to spread
References 14:39, 14:44, 14:48
Why it matters Spread of house contamination determines whether treatment, destruction, or cleansing is required.
Sense to remove, pull out
Definition to remove, pull out
References 14:40, 14:43
Why it matters Contaminated stones are removed from the house.
Sense stone
Definition stone
References 14:40, 14:42, 14:45
Why it matters Contaminated stones may be removed and replaced, or the house stones removed entirely if persistent.
Sense city, town
Definition city, town
References 14:40-41, 14:45, 14:53
Why it matters Contaminated materials are removed outside the city or town to an unclean place.
Sense unclean
Definition unclean
References 14:40-41, 14:44-46, 14:57
Why it matters House contamination and those entering a closed house may be unclean.
Cross-language bridge 2 links · View in lexicon
Sense to scrape, cut off
Definition to scrape, cut off
References 14:41
Why it matters The inside of the contaminated house is scraped during treatment.
Sense dust, plaster, mortar
Definition dust, plaster, mortar
References 14:41-42, 14:45
Why it matters Scraped plaster is removed, and new plaster is applied.
Sense to put, place
Definition to put, place
References 14:42
Why it matters New stones are placed into the house after contaminated stones are removed.
Sense to plaster
Definition to plaster
References 14:42-43, 14:48
Why it matters The house is replastered after contaminated material is removed.
Sense to return
Definition to return
References 14:43
Why it matters If the contamination returns after treatment, the house must be destroyed.
Sense to tear down, demolish
Definition to tear down, demolish
References 14:45
Why it matters A house with persistent contamination must be torn down.
Sense to lie down, sleep
Definition to lie down, sleep
References 14:47
Why it matters The person who sleeps in a closed contaminated house must wash clothes.
Sense to eat
Definition to eat
References 14:47
Why it matters The person who eats in a closed contaminated house must wash clothes.
Lexicon data: MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML (CC0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (CC BY 4.0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon (CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible Data (CC BY 4.0) · Full details
C.F. Keil & F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–91) — public domain
The Lord who excludes uncleanness from His holy dwelling also provides cleansing, atonement, and restoration for the healed, while requiring persistent contamination to be removed.
God's people must guard holiness, pursue restoration, protect the poor, and bring the excluded to Christ the true cleanser.
Hopeful holiness, patient restoration, priestly compassion, whole-life consecration, and Christ-centered confidence.
- Do not treat exclusion as the final word when God provides cleansing.
- Move toward the wounded and excluded with truth and compassion.
- Let restoration be careful, ordered, and real.
- Receive restored life as consecrated life.
- Protect the poor from second-class treatment in worship and restoration.
- Examine household corruption honestly.
- Remove what remains persistently defiling.
- Look to Christ as the one who cleanses, restores, and brings His people near.
- The chapter warns that restoration must not be casual or self-declared, and that persistent defilement must not be tolerated. Healing, cleansing, atonement, and priestly declaration all matter before the holy Lord.
- Leviticus 14 is a medical treatment for leprosy. - The chapter does not provide medical treatment. It gives priestly cleansing rites after healing and procedures for declaring restoration before the Lord and the community.
- The priest heals the person. - The priest examines, performs cleansing rites, offers sacrifices, and declares clean. The healing has already occurred before the cleansing procedure begins.
- The person is restored immediately after healing. - The chapter shows a staged process: outside-camp examination, initial cleansing, washing and shaving, seven-day waiting, and eighth-day offerings.
- The two birds are arbitrary ritual details. - The rite is symbolically rich, involving death, blood, fresh water, cleansing materials, sevenfold sprinkling, and released life.
- The blood and oil on ear, thumb, and toe apply only to priests. - Leviticus 14 applies similar consecration imagery to the restored person, showing renewed whole-life belonging to the Lord.
- Poor Israelites received a second-class cleansing. - The poverty provision leads to the same result: the priest makes atonement, and the person is clean.
- House contamination is unrelated to holiness. - The house laws show that holiness extends into domestic life and the land itself.
- Destruction of the house is cruelty or panic. - The law first allows examination, waiting, removal, scraping, replacement, and reinspection. Destruction comes only when contamination persists.
- Christians should reproduce these cleansing rites literally. - These rites belong to the Old Covenant purity system fulfilled in Christ. Their enduring instruction comes through holiness, cleansing, restoration, and Christ's saving work.
- Do I believe the Lord can restore those who have lived outside the camp?
- Where am I tempted to diagnose uncleanness but fail to hope for cleansing?
- What does the priest going outside the camp teach me about pastoral pursuit of the excluded?
- How does the two-bird rite deepen my understanding of cleansing through death and life?
- What does blood and oil on ear, thumb, and toe teach about restored obedience?
- How should the church ensure that poverty never becomes a barrier to restoration?
- What persistent contamination in my household, habits, or community needs honest examination?
- How does Jesus' cleansing of lepers fulfill and surpass Leviticus 14?
- What does Christ suffering outside the gate teach me about shame, exclusion, and access to God?
- Preach restoration as part of holiness.
- Move toward the excluded with priestly compassion.
- Do not rush restoration, but do not deny it when God provides cleansing.
- Teach restored people to live consecrated lives.
- Make mercy for the poor visible.
- Take household corruption seriously.
- Point beyond ritual cleansing to Christ.
- Use outside-the-camp theology carefully.
The priest goes outside the camp to determine whether healing has occurred.
The healed person undergoes cleansing before full restoration.
The person washes, shaves, and returns to the camp in stages.
The eighth-day offerings complete restoration before the Lord.
Blood and oil on ear, thumb, and toe mark the restored person as belonging to God.
The chapter expands from skin disease to house contamination, showing holiness in domestic space.
The Old Covenant process points beyond itself to Christ, who cleanses the unclean and restores access to God.
Study holiness as divine character, covenant identity, and sanctified life across Scripture.
Study temple presence, worship, corruption, judgment, and renewal across Scripture.
Trace remnant preservation, covenant continuity, and mercy under judgment across Scripture.
The Biblical World
Chapter At A Glance
The Lord gives Moses cleansing rites for the person healed of defiling skin disease, moving from examination outside the camp to a two-bird cleansing rite, washing and shaving, seven-day waiting, eighth-day offerings, blood and oil application, poverty provision, and then instructions for diagnosing, cleansing, or destroying contaminated houses in the promised land.
Leviticus 14 gives Israel a pathway from exclusion to restoration while preserving the holiness of the camp and future homes in Canaan. It shows that the covenant community is not merely a place that excludes uncleanness; it is also a place where the healed may return through God's appointed cleansing. The chapter also anticipates Israel's settled land life, where even houses must be examined under the Lord's holiness.
Leviticus 14 clarifies the gospel by showing that the unclean need cleansing, atonement, priestly mediation, and restored access. The priest goes outside the camp to examine the healed person, but Christ goes further: He enters the place of uncleanness, cleanses by His authority, bears reproach outside the gate, and sanctifies His people by His blood. The gospel is not merely a declaration that uncleanness exists; it is the good news that Christ cleanses and restores.
Hopeful holiness, patient restoration, priestly compassion, whole-life consecration, and Christ-centered confidence.
Focus Points
- Cleansing
- Restoration
- Priestly examination
- Outside the camp
- Healing and cleansing distinction
- Blood and water
- Living bird released
- Washing and shaving
- Guilt offering
- Sin offering
- Burnt offering
- Grain offering
- Atonement
- Oil anointing
- Mercy for the poor
- House contamination
- Persistent defilement
- Clean and unclean discernment
- The Lord Provides Restoration for the Excluded
- Healing and Cleansing Are Related but Distinct
- The Priest Goes Outside the Camp
- Blood, Water, and Released Life Mark Cleansing
- Restored Life Is Consecrated Life
- Atonement Restores Worship Access
- The Poor Are Not Excluded From Restoration
- Holiness Extends Into the Home
- Persistent Defilement Must Be Removed
- Priestly Discernment Guards Restoration and Removal
- Holiness
- Priestly Mediation
- Consecrated Life
- Impurity
- Persistent Defilement Removed
- Christ the Cleanser
- Christ Outside the Camp
Cross References
Passages
Chapter opening: Leviticus 14:1-9
Purification of the leper , after his recovery from his disease. As leprosy, regarded as a decomposition of the vital juices, and as putrefaction in a living body, was an image of death, and like this introduced the same dissolution and destruction of life into the corporeal sphere which sin introduced into the spiritual; and as the leper for this very reason as not only excluded from the fellowship of the sanctuary, but cut off from intercourse with the covenant nation which was called to sanctification: the man, when recovered from leprosy, was first of all to be received into the fellowship of the covenant nation by a significant rite of purification, and then again to be still further inducted into living fellowship with Jehovah in His sanctuary.
Hence the purification prescribed was divided into two acts, separated from one another by an interval of seven days.
Lev 14:2-8 The first act (Lev 14:2-8) set forth the restoration of the man, who had been regarded as dead, into the fellowship of the living members of the covenant nation, and was therefore performed by the priest outside the camp. Lev 14:2-4 On the day of his purification the priest was to examine the leper outside the camp; and if he found the leprosy cured and gone (מן נרפּא, const.
praegnans , healed away from, i. e. , healed and gone away from), he was to send for (lit. , order them to fetch or bring) two living (חיּות, with all the fulness of their vital power) birds (without any precise direction as to the kind, not merely sparrows), and (a piece of) cedar-wood and coccus (probably scarlet wool, or a little piece of scarlet cloth), and hyssop (see at Exo 12:22).
Lev 14:2-8 The first act (Lev 14:2-8) set forth the restoration of the man, who had been regarded as dead, into the fellowship of the living members of the covenant nation, and was therefore performed by the priest outside the camp. Lev 14:2-4 On the day of his purification the priest was to examine the leper outside the camp; and if he found the leprosy cured and gone (מן נרפּא, const.
praegnans , healed away from, i. e. , healed and gone away from), he was to send for (lit. , order them to fetch or bring) two living (חיּות, with all the fulness of their vital power) birds (without any precise direction as to the kind, not merely sparrows), and (a piece of) cedar-wood and coccus (probably scarlet wool, or a little piece of scarlet cloth), and hyssop (see at Exo 12:22).
Lev 14:2-8 The first act (Lev 14:2-8) set forth the restoration of the man, who had been regarded as dead, into the fellowship of the living members of the covenant nation, and was therefore performed by the priest outside the camp. Lev 14:2-4 On the day of his purification the priest was to examine the leper outside the camp; and if he found the leprosy cured and gone (מן נרפּא, const.
praegnans , healed away from, i. e. , healed and gone away from), he was to send for (lit. , order them to fetch or bring) two living (חיּות, with all the fulness of their vital power) birds (without any precise direction as to the kind, not merely sparrows), and (a piece of) cedar-wood and coccus (probably scarlet wool, or a little piece of scarlet cloth), and hyssop (see at Exo 12:22).
Lev 14:2-8 The first act (Lev 14:2-8) set forth the restoration of the man, who had been regarded as dead, into the fellowship of the living members of the covenant nation, and was therefore performed by the priest outside the camp. Lev 14:2-4 On the day of his purification the priest was to examine the leper outside the camp; and if he found the leprosy cured and gone (מן נרפּא, const.
praegnans , healed away from, i. e. , healed and gone away from), he was to send for (lit. , order them to fetch or bring) two living (חיּות, with all the fulness of their vital power) birds (without any precise direction as to the kind, not merely sparrows), and (a piece of) cedar-wood and coccus (probably scarlet wool, or a little piece of scarlet cloth), and hyssop (see at Exo 12:22).
Lev 14:2-8 The first act (Lev 14:2-8) set forth the restoration of the man, who had been regarded as dead, into the fellowship of the living members of the covenant nation, and was therefore performed by the priest outside the camp. Lev 14:2-4 On the day of his purification the priest was to examine the leper outside the camp; and if he found the leprosy cured and gone (מן נרפּא, const.
praegnans , healed away from, i. e. , healed and gone away from), he was to send for (lit. , order them to fetch or bring) two living (חיּות, with all the fulness of their vital power) birds (without any precise direction as to the kind, not merely sparrows), and (a piece of) cedar-wood and coccus (probably scarlet wool, or a little piece of scarlet cloth), and hyssop (see at Exo 12:22).
Lev 14:2-8 The first act (Lev 14:2-8) set forth the restoration of the man, who had been regarded as dead, into the fellowship of the living members of the covenant nation, and was therefore performed by the priest outside the camp. Lev 14:2-4 On the day of his purification the priest was to examine the leper outside the camp; and if he found the leprosy cured and gone (מן נרפּא, const.
praegnans , healed away from, i. e. , healed and gone away from), he was to send for (lit. , order them to fetch or bring) two living (חיּות, with all the fulness of their vital power) birds (without any precise direction as to the kind, not merely sparrows), and (a piece of) cedar-wood and coccus (probably scarlet wool, or a little piece of scarlet cloth), and hyssop (see at Exo 12:22).
Lev 14:2-8 The first act (Lev 14:2-8) set forth the restoration of the man, who had been regarded as dead, into the fellowship of the living members of the covenant nation, and was therefore performed by the priest outside the camp. Lev 14:2-4 On the day of his purification the priest was to examine the leper outside the camp; and if he found the leprosy cured and gone (מן נרפּא, const.
praegnans , healed away from, i. e. , healed and gone away from), he was to send for (lit. , order them to fetch or bring) two living (חיּות, with all the fulness of their vital power) birds (without any precise direction as to the kind, not merely sparrows), and (a piece of) cedar-wood and coccus (probably scarlet wool, or a little piece of scarlet cloth), and hyssop (see at Exo 12:22).
Lev 14:9-12 The second act (Lev 14:9-20) effected his restoration to fellowship with Jehovah, and his admission to the sanctuary. It commenced on the seventh day after the first with a fresh purification; viz. , shaving off all the hair from the head, the beard, the eyebrows - in fact, the whole body, - washing the clothes, and bathing the body. On the eighth day there followed a sacrificial expiation; and for this the person to be expiated was to bring two sheep without blemish, a ewe-lamb of a year old, three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a meat-offering, and a log (or one-twelfth of a hin, i.
e. , as much as six hens’ eggs, or 15·62 Rhenish cubic inches) of oil; and the priest was to present him, together with these gifts, before Jehovah, i. e. , before the altar of burnt-offering. The one lamb was then offered by the priest as a trespass-offering, together with the log of oil; and both of these were waves by him. By the waving, which did not take place on other occasions in connection with sin-offerings and trespass-offerings, the lamb and oil were transferred symbolically to the Lord; and by the fat that these sacrificial gifts represented the offerer, the person to be consecrated to the Lord by means of them was dedicated to His service again, just as the Levites were dedicated to the Lord by the ceremony of waving (Num 8:11, Num 8:15).
But a trespass-offering was required as the consecration-offering, because the consecration itself served as a restoration to all the rights of the priestly covenant nation, which had been lost by the mortal ban of leprosy.
Lev 14:9-12 The second act (Lev 14:9-20) effected his restoration to fellowship with Jehovah, and his admission to the sanctuary. It commenced on the seventh day after the first with a fresh purification; viz. , shaving off all the hair from the head, the beard, the eyebrows - in fact, the whole body, - washing the clothes, and bathing the body. On the eighth day there followed a sacrificial expiation; and for this the person to be expiated was to bring two sheep without blemish, a ewe-lamb of a year old, three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a meat-offering, and a log (or one-twelfth of a hin, i.
e. , as much as six hens’ eggs, or 15·62 Rhenish cubic inches) of oil; and the priest was to present him, together with these gifts, before Jehovah, i. e. , before the altar of burnt-offering. The one lamb was then offered by the priest as a trespass-offering, together with the log of oil; and both of these were waves by him. By the waving, which did not take place on other occasions in connection with sin-offerings and trespass-offerings, the lamb and oil were transferred symbolically to the Lord; and by the fat that these sacrificial gifts represented the offerer, the person to be consecrated to the Lord by means of them was dedicated to His service again, just as the Levites were dedicated to the Lord by the ceremony of waving (Num 8:11, Num 8:15).
But a trespass-offering was required as the consecration-offering, because the consecration itself served as a restoration to all the rights of the priestly covenant nation, which had been lost by the mortal ban of leprosy.
Lev 14:9-12 The second act (Lev 14:9-20) effected his restoration to fellowship with Jehovah, and his admission to the sanctuary. It commenced on the seventh day after the first with a fresh purification; viz. , shaving off all the hair from the head, the beard, the eyebrows - in fact, the whole body, - washing the clothes, and bathing the body. On the eighth day there followed a sacrificial expiation; and for this the person to be expiated was to bring two sheep without blemish, a ewe-lamb of a year old, three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a meat-offering, and a log (or one-twelfth of a hin, i.
e. , as much as six hens’ eggs, or 15·62 Rhenish cubic inches) of oil; and the priest was to present him, together with these gifts, before Jehovah, i. e. , before the altar of burnt-offering. The one lamb was then offered by the priest as a trespass-offering, together with the log of oil; and both of these were waves by him. By the waving, which did not take place on other occasions in connection with sin-offerings and trespass-offerings, the lamb and oil were transferred symbolically to the Lord; and by the fat that these sacrificial gifts represented the offerer, the person to be consecrated to the Lord by means of them was dedicated to His service again, just as the Levites were dedicated to the Lord by the ceremony of waving (Num 8:11, Num 8:15).
But a trespass-offering was required as the consecration-offering, because the consecration itself served as a restoration to all the rights of the priestly covenant nation, which had been lost by the mortal ban of leprosy.
Lev 14:9-12 The second act (Lev 14:9-20) effected his restoration to fellowship with Jehovah, and his admission to the sanctuary. It commenced on the seventh day after the first with a fresh purification; viz. , shaving off all the hair from the head, the beard, the eyebrows - in fact, the whole body, - washing the clothes, and bathing the body. On the eighth day there followed a sacrificial expiation; and for this the person to be expiated was to bring two sheep without blemish, a ewe-lamb of a year old, three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a meat-offering, and a log (or one-twelfth of a hin, i.
e. , as much as six hens’ eggs, or 15·62 Rhenish cubic inches) of oil; and the priest was to present him, together with these gifts, before Jehovah, i. e. , before the altar of burnt-offering. The one lamb was then offered by the priest as a trespass-offering, together with the log of oil; and both of these were waves by him. By the waving, which did not take place on other occasions in connection with sin-offerings and trespass-offerings, the lamb and oil were transferred symbolically to the Lord; and by the fat that these sacrificial gifts represented the offerer, the person to be consecrated to the Lord by means of them was dedicated to His service again, just as the Levites were dedicated to the Lord by the ceremony of waving (Num 8:11, Num 8:15).
But a trespass-offering was required as the consecration-offering, because the consecration itself served as a restoration to all the rights of the priestly covenant nation, which had been lost by the mortal ban of leprosy.
Lev 14:13-14 After the slaying of the lamb in the holy place, as the trespass-offering, like the sin-offering, was most holy and belonged to the priest (see at Lev 7:6), the priest put some of its blood upon the tip of the right ear, the right thumb, and the great toe of the right foot of the person to be consecrated, in order that the organ of hearing, with which he hearkened to the word of the Lord, and those used in acting and walking according to His commandments, might thereby be sanctified through the power of the atoning blood of the sacrifice; just as in the dedication of the priests (Lev 8:24).
Lev 14:13-14 After the slaying of the lamb in the holy place, as the trespass-offering, like the sin-offering, was most holy and belonged to the priest (see at Lev 7:6), the priest put some of its blood upon the tip of the right ear, the right thumb, and the great toe of the right foot of the person to be consecrated, in order that the organ of hearing, with which he hearkened to the word of the Lord, and those used in acting and walking according to His commandments, might thereby be sanctified through the power of the atoning blood of the sacrifice; just as in the dedication of the priests (Lev 8:24).
Lev 14:15-18 The priest then poured some oil out of the log into the hollow of his left hand, and dipping the finger of his right hand in the oil, sprinkled it seven times before Jehovah, i. e. , before the altar of burnt-offering, to consecrate the oil to God, and sanctify it for further use. With the rest of the oil he smeared the same organs of the person to be consecrated which he had already smeared with blood, placing it, in fact, “ upon the blood of the trespass-offering, ” i.
e. , upon the spots already touched with blood; he then poured the remainder upon the head of the person to be consecrated, and so made atonement for him before Jehovah. The priests were also anointed at their consecration, not only by the pouring of oil upon their head, but by the sprinkling of oil upon their garments (Lev 8:12, Lev 8:30). But in their case the anointing of their head preceded the consecration-offering, and holy anointing oil was used for the purpose.
Here, on the contrary, it was ordinary oil, which the person to be consecrated had offered as a sacrificial gift; and this was first of all sanctified, therefore, by being sprinkled and poured upon the organs with which he was to serve the Lord, and then upon the head, which represented his personality. Just as the anointing oil, prepared according to divine directions, shadowed forth the power and gifts of the Spirit, with which God endowed the priests for their peculiar office in His kingdom; so the oil, which the leper about to be consecrated presented as a sacrifice out of his own resources, represented the spirit of life which he had received from God, and now possessed as his own.
This property of his spirit was presented to the Lord by the priestly waving and sprinkling of the oil before Jehovah, to be pervaded and revived by His spirit of grace, and when so strengthened, to be not only applied to those organs of the person to be consecrated, with which he fulfilled the duties of his vocation as a member of the priestly nation of God, but also poured upon his head, to be fully appropriated to his person. And just as in the sacrifice the blood was the symbol of the soul, so in the anointing the oil was the symbol of the spirit.
If, therefore, the soul was established in gracious fellowship with the Lord by being sprinkled with the atoning blood of sacrifice, the anointing with oil had reference to the spirit, which gives life to soul and body, and which was thereby endowed with the power of the Spirit of God. In this way the man cleansed from leprosy was reconciled to Jehovah, and reinstated in the covenant privileges and covenant grace.
Lev 14:15-18 The priest then poured some oil out of the log into the hollow of his left hand, and dipping the finger of his right hand in the oil, sprinkled it seven times before Jehovah, i. e. , before the altar of burnt-offering, to consecrate the oil to God, and sanctify it for further use. With the rest of the oil he smeared the same organs of the person to be consecrated which he had already smeared with blood, placing it, in fact, “ upon the blood of the trespass-offering, ” i.
e. , upon the spots already touched with blood; he then poured the remainder upon the head of the person to be consecrated, and so made atonement for him before Jehovah. The priests were also anointed at their consecration, not only by the pouring of oil upon their head, but by the sprinkling of oil upon their garments (Lev 8:12, Lev 8:30). But in their case the anointing of their head preceded the consecration-offering, and holy anointing oil was used for the purpose.
Here, on the contrary, it was ordinary oil, which the person to be consecrated had offered as a sacrificial gift; and this was first of all sanctified, therefore, by being sprinkled and poured upon the organs with which he was to serve the Lord, and then upon the head, which represented his personality. Just as the anointing oil, prepared according to divine directions, shadowed forth the power and gifts of the Spirit, with which God endowed the priests for their peculiar office in His kingdom; so the oil, which the leper about to be consecrated presented as a sacrifice out of his own resources, represented the spirit of life which he had received from God, and now possessed as his own.
This property of his spirit was presented to the Lord by the priestly waving and sprinkling of the oil before Jehovah, to be pervaded and revived by His spirit of grace, and when so strengthened, to be not only applied to those organs of the person to be consecrated, with which he fulfilled the duties of his vocation as a member of the priestly nation of God, but also poured upon his head, to be fully appropriated to his person. And just as in the sacrifice the blood was the symbol of the soul, so in the anointing the oil was the symbol of the spirit.
If, therefore, the soul was established in gracious fellowship with the Lord by being sprinkled with the atoning blood of sacrifice, the anointing with oil had reference to the spirit, which gives life to soul and body, and which was thereby endowed with the power of the Spirit of God. In this way the man cleansed from leprosy was reconciled to Jehovah, and reinstated in the covenant privileges and covenant grace.
Lev 14:15-18 The priest then poured some oil out of the log into the hollow of his left hand, and dipping the finger of his right hand in the oil, sprinkled it seven times before Jehovah, i. e. , before the altar of burnt-offering, to consecrate the oil to God, and sanctify it for further use. With the rest of the oil he smeared the same organs of the person to be consecrated which he had already smeared with blood, placing it, in fact, “ upon the blood of the trespass-offering, ” i.
e. , upon the spots already touched with blood; he then poured the remainder upon the head of the person to be consecrated, and so made atonement for him before Jehovah. The priests were also anointed at their consecration, not only by the pouring of oil upon their head, but by the sprinkling of oil upon their garments (Lev 8:12, Lev 8:30). But in their case the anointing of their head preceded the consecration-offering, and holy anointing oil was used for the purpose.
Here, on the contrary, it was ordinary oil, which the person to be consecrated had offered as a sacrificial gift; and this was first of all sanctified, therefore, by being sprinkled and poured upon the organs with which he was to serve the Lord, and then upon the head, which represented his personality. Just as the anointing oil, prepared according to divine directions, shadowed forth the power and gifts of the Spirit, with which God endowed the priests for their peculiar office in His kingdom; so the oil, which the leper about to be consecrated presented as a sacrifice out of his own resources, represented the spirit of life which he had received from God, and now possessed as his own.
This property of his spirit was presented to the Lord by the priestly waving and sprinkling of the oil before Jehovah, to be pervaded and revived by His spirit of grace, and when so strengthened, to be not only applied to those organs of the person to be consecrated, with which he fulfilled the duties of his vocation as a member of the priestly nation of God, but also poured upon his head, to be fully appropriated to his person. And just as in the sacrifice the blood was the symbol of the soul, so in the anointing the oil was the symbol of the spirit.
If, therefore, the soul was established in gracious fellowship with the Lord by being sprinkled with the atoning blood of sacrifice, the anointing with oil had reference to the spirit, which gives life to soul and body, and which was thereby endowed with the power of the Spirit of God. In this way the man cleansed from leprosy was reconciled to Jehovah, and reinstated in the covenant privileges and covenant grace.
Lev 14:15-18 The priest then poured some oil out of the log into the hollow of his left hand, and dipping the finger of his right hand in the oil, sprinkled it seven times before Jehovah, i. e. , before the altar of burnt-offering, to consecrate the oil to God, and sanctify it for further use. With the rest of the oil he smeared the same organs of the person to be consecrated which he had already smeared with blood, placing it, in fact, “ upon the blood of the trespass-offering, ” i.
e. , upon the spots already touched with blood; he then poured the remainder upon the head of the person to be consecrated, and so made atonement for him before Jehovah. The priests were also anointed at their consecration, not only by the pouring of oil upon their head, but by the sprinkling of oil upon their garments (Lev 8:12, Lev 8:30). But in their case the anointing of their head preceded the consecration-offering, and holy anointing oil was used for the purpose.
Here, on the contrary, it was ordinary oil, which the person to be consecrated had offered as a sacrificial gift; and this was first of all sanctified, therefore, by being sprinkled and poured upon the organs with which he was to serve the Lord, and then upon the head, which represented his personality. Just as the anointing oil, prepared according to divine directions, shadowed forth the power and gifts of the Spirit, with which God endowed the priests for their peculiar office in His kingdom; so the oil, which the leper about to be consecrated presented as a sacrifice out of his own resources, represented the spirit of life which he had received from God, and now possessed as his own.
This property of his spirit was presented to the Lord by the priestly waving and sprinkling of the oil before Jehovah, to be pervaded and revived by His spirit of grace, and when so strengthened, to be not only applied to those organs of the person to be consecrated, with which he fulfilled the duties of his vocation as a member of the priestly nation of God, but also poured upon his head, to be fully appropriated to his person. And just as in the sacrifice the blood was the symbol of the soul, so in the anointing the oil was the symbol of the spirit.
If, therefore, the soul was established in gracious fellowship with the Lord by being sprinkled with the atoning blood of sacrifice, the anointing with oil had reference to the spirit, which gives life to soul and body, and which was thereby endowed with the power of the Spirit of God. In this way the man cleansed from leprosy was reconciled to Jehovah, and reinstated in the covenant privileges and covenant grace.
Lev 14:19-20 It was not till all this had been done, that the priest could proceed to make expiation for him with the sin-offering, for which the ewe-lamb was brought, “on account of his uncleanness,” i. e. , on account of the sin which still adhered to him as well as to all the other members of the covenant nation, and which had come outwardly to light in the uncleanness of his leprosy; after which he presented his burnt-offering and meat-offering, which embodied the sanctification of all his members to the service of the Lord, and the performance of works well-pleasing to Him.
The sin-offering, burnt-offering, and meat-offering were therefore presented according to the general instructions, with this exception, that, as a representation of diligence in good works, a larger quantity of meal and oil was brought than the later law in Num 15:4 prescribed for the burnt-offering.
Lev 14:19-20 It was not till all this had been done, that the priest could proceed to make expiation for him with the sin-offering, for which the ewe-lamb was brought, “on account of his uncleanness,” i. e. , on account of the sin which still adhered to him as well as to all the other members of the covenant nation, and which had come outwardly to light in the uncleanness of his leprosy; after which he presented his burnt-offering and meat-offering, which embodied the sanctification of all his members to the service of the Lord, and the performance of works well-pleasing to Him.
The sin-offering, burnt-offering, and meat-offering were therefore presented according to the general instructions, with this exception, that, as a representation of diligence in good works, a larger quantity of meal and oil was brought than the later law in Num 15:4 prescribed for the burnt-offering.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:21-32 In cases of poverty on the part of the person to be consecrated, the burnt-offering and sin-offering were reduced to a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons, and the meat-offering to a tenth of an ephah of meal and oil; but no diminution was allowed in the trespass-offering as the consecration-offering, since this was the conditio sine qua non of reinstatement in full covenant rights. On account of the importance of all the details of this law, every point is repeated a second time in Lev 14:21-32.
Lev 14:33-34 The law concerning the leprosy of houses was made known to Moses and Aaron, as intended for the time when Israel should have taken possession of Canaan and dwell in houses. As it was Jehovah who gave His people the land for a possession, so “putting the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of their possession” is also ascribed to Him (Lev 14:34), inasmuch as He held it over them, to remind the inhabitants of the house that they owed not only their bodies but also their dwelling-places to the Lord, and that they were to sanctify these to Him.
By this expression, “ I put, ” the view which Knobel still regards as probable, viz. , that the house-leprosy was only the transmission of human leprosy to the walls of the houses, is completely overthrown; not to mention the fact, that throughout the whole description there is not the slightest hint of any such transmission, but the inhabitants, on the contrary, are spoken of as clean, i.
e. , free from leprosy, and only those who went into the house, or slept in the house after it had been shut up as suspicious, are pronounced unclean (Lev 14:46, Lev 14:47), though even they are not said to have been affected with leprosy. The only thing that can be gathered from the signs mentioned in Lev 14:37 is, that the house-leprosy was an evil which calls to mind “the vegetable formations and braid-like structures that are found on mouldering walls and decaying walls, and which eat into them so as to produce a slight depression in the surface.
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Lev 14:33-34 The law concerning the leprosy of houses was made known to Moses and Aaron, as intended for the time when Israel should have taken possession of Canaan and dwell in houses. As it was Jehovah who gave His people the land for a possession, so “putting the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of their possession” is also ascribed to Him (Lev 14:34), inasmuch as He held it over them, to remind the inhabitants of the house that they owed not only their bodies but also their dwelling-places to the Lord, and that they were to sanctify these to Him.
By this expression, “ I put, ” the view which Knobel still regards as probable, viz. , that the house-leprosy was only the transmission of human leprosy to the walls of the houses, is completely overthrown; not to mention the fact, that throughout the whole description there is not the slightest hint of any such transmission, but the inhabitants, on the contrary, are spoken of as clean, i.
e. , free from leprosy, and only those who went into the house, or slept in the house after it had been shut up as suspicious, are pronounced unclean (Lev 14:46, Lev 14:47), though even they are not said to have been affected with leprosy. The only thing that can be gathered from the signs mentioned in Lev 14:37 is, that the house-leprosy was an evil which calls to mind “the vegetable formations and braid-like structures that are found on mouldering walls and decaying walls, and which eat into them so as to produce a slight depression in the surface.
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Lev 14:35-36 When the evil showed itself in a house, the owner was to send this message to the priest, “ A leprous evil has appeared in my house, ” and the priest, before entering to examine it, was to have the house cleared, lest everything in it should become unclean. Consequently, as what was in the house became unclean only when the priest had declared the house affected with leprosy, the reason for the defilement is not to be sought for in physical infection, but must have been of an ideal or symbolical kind.
Lev 14:35-36 When the evil showed itself in a house, the owner was to send this message to the priest, “ A leprous evil has appeared in my house, ” and the priest, before entering to examine it, was to have the house cleared, lest everything in it should become unclean. Consequently, as what was in the house became unclean only when the priest had declared the house affected with leprosy, the reason for the defilement is not to be sought for in physical infection, but must have been of an ideal or symbolical kind.
Lev 14:37-42 If the leprous spot appeared in “ greenish or reddish depressions, which looked deeper than the wall, ” the priest was to shut up the house for seven days. If after that time he found that the mole had spread on the walls, he was to break out the stones upon which it appeared, and remove them to an unclean place outside the town, and to scrape the house all round inside, and throw the dust that was scraped off into an unclean place outside the town.
He was then to put other stones in their place, and plaster the house with fresh mortar.
Lev 14:37-42 If the leprous spot appeared in “ greenish or reddish depressions, which looked deeper than the wall, ” the priest was to shut up the house for seven days. If after that time he found that the mole had spread on the walls, he was to break out the stones upon which it appeared, and remove them to an unclean place outside the town, and to scrape the house all round inside, and throw the dust that was scraped off into an unclean place outside the town.
He was then to put other stones in their place, and plaster the house with fresh mortar.
Lev 14:37-42 If the leprous spot appeared in “ greenish or reddish depressions, which looked deeper than the wall, ” the priest was to shut up the house for seven days. If after that time he found that the mole had spread on the walls, he was to break out the stones upon which it appeared, and remove them to an unclean place outside the town, and to scrape the house all round inside, and throw the dust that was scraped off into an unclean place outside the town.
He was then to put other stones in their place, and plaster the house with fresh mortar.
Lev 14:37-42 If the leprous spot appeared in “ greenish or reddish depressions, which looked deeper than the wall, ” the priest was to shut up the house for seven days. If after that time he found that the mole had spread on the walls, he was to break out the stones upon which it appeared, and remove them to an unclean place outside the town, and to scrape the house all round inside, and throw the dust that was scraped off into an unclean place outside the town.
He was then to put other stones in their place, and plaster the house with fresh mortar.
Lev 14:37-42 If the leprous spot appeared in “ greenish or reddish depressions, which looked deeper than the wall, ” the priest was to shut up the house for seven days. If after that time he found that the mole had spread on the walls, he was to break out the stones upon which it appeared, and remove them to an unclean place outside the town, and to scrape the house all round inside, and throw the dust that was scraped off into an unclean place outside the town.
He was then to put other stones in their place, and plaster the house with fresh mortar.
Lev 14:37-42 If the leprous spot appeared in “ greenish or reddish depressions, which looked deeper than the wall, ” the priest was to shut up the house for seven days. If after that time he found that the mole had spread on the walls, he was to break out the stones upon which it appeared, and remove them to an unclean place outside the town, and to scrape the house all round inside, and throw the dust that was scraped off into an unclean place outside the town.
He was then to put other stones in their place, and plaster the house with fresh mortar.
Lev 14:43-45 If the mole broke out again after this had taken place, it was a malicious leprosy, and the house was to be pulled down as unclean, whilst the stones, the wood, and the mortar were to be taken to an unclean place outside the town.
Lev 14:43-45 If the mole broke out again after this had taken place, it was a malicious leprosy, and the house was to be pulled down as unclean, whilst the stones, the wood, and the mortar were to be taken to an unclean place outside the town.
Lev 14:43-45 If the mole broke out again after this had taken place, it was a malicious leprosy, and the house was to be pulled down as unclean, whilst the stones, the wood, and the mortar were to be taken to an unclean place outside the town.
Lev 14:46-47 Whoever went into the house during the time that it was closed, became unclean till the evening and had to wash himself; but whoever slept or ate therein during this time, was to wash his clothes, and of course was unclean till the evening. אתו הסגּיר (Lev 14:46) may be a perfect tense, and a relative clause dependent upon ימי, or it may be an infinitive for הסגּיר as in Lev 14:43.
Lev 14:46-47 Whoever went into the house during the time that it was closed, became unclean till the evening and had to wash himself; but whoever slept or ate therein during this time, was to wash his clothes, and of course was unclean till the evening. אתו הסגּיר (Lev 14:46) may be a perfect tense, and a relative clause dependent upon ימי, or it may be an infinitive for הסגּיר as in Lev 14:43.
Lev 14:48-53 If the priest should find, however, that after the fresh plastering the mole had not appeared again, or spread (to other places), he was to pronounce the house clean, because the evil was cured, and (Lev 14:49-53) to perform the same rite of purification as was prescribed for the restoration of a man, who had been cured of leprosy, to the national community (Lev 14:4-7). The purpose was also the same, namely, to cleanse (חטּא cleanse from sin) and make atonement for the house, i.
e. , to purify it from the uncleanness of sin which had appeared in the leprosy. For, although it is primarily in the human body that sin manifests itself, it spreads from man to the things which he touches, uses, inhabits, though without our being able to represent this spread as a physical contagion.
Lev 14:48-53 If the priest should find, however, that after the fresh plastering the mole had not appeared again, or spread (to other places), he was to pronounce the house clean, because the evil was cured, and (Lev 14:49-53) to perform the same rite of purification as was prescribed for the restoration of a man, who had been cured of leprosy, to the national community (Lev 14:4-7). The purpose was also the same, namely, to cleanse (חטּא cleanse from sin) and make atonement for the house, i.
e. , to purify it from the uncleanness of sin which had appeared in the leprosy. For, although it is primarily in the human body that sin manifests itself, it spreads from man to the things which he touches, uses, inhabits, though without our being able to represent this spread as a physical contagion.
Lev 14:48-53 If the priest should find, however, that after the fresh plastering the mole had not appeared again, or spread (to other places), he was to pronounce the house clean, because the evil was cured, and (Lev 14:49-53) to perform the same rite of purification as was prescribed for the restoration of a man, who had been cured of leprosy, to the national community (Lev 14:4-7). The purpose was also the same, namely, to cleanse (חטּא cleanse from sin) and make atonement for the house, i.
e. , to purify it from the uncleanness of sin which had appeared in the leprosy. For, although it is primarily in the human body that sin manifests itself, it spreads from man to the things which he touches, uses, inhabits, though without our being able to represent this spread as a physical contagion.
Lev 14:48-53 If the priest should find, however, that after the fresh plastering the mole had not appeared again, or spread (to other places), he was to pronounce the house clean, because the evil was cured, and (Lev 14:49-53) to perform the same rite of purification as was prescribed for the restoration of a man, who had been cured of leprosy, to the national community (Lev 14:4-7). The purpose was also the same, namely, to cleanse (חטּא cleanse from sin) and make atonement for the house, i.
e. , to purify it from the uncleanness of sin which had appeared in the leprosy. For, although it is primarily in the human body that sin manifests itself, it spreads from man to the things which he touches, uses, inhabits, though without our being able to represent this spread as a physical contagion.
Lev 14:48-53 If the priest should find, however, that after the fresh plastering the mole had not appeared again, or spread (to other places), he was to pronounce the house clean, because the evil was cured, and (Lev 14:49-53) to perform the same rite of purification as was prescribed for the restoration of a man, who had been cured of leprosy, to the national community (Lev 14:4-7). The purpose was also the same, namely, to cleanse (חטּא cleanse from sin) and make atonement for the house, i.
e. , to purify it from the uncleanness of sin which had appeared in the leprosy. For, although it is primarily in the human body that sin manifests itself, it spreads from man to the things which he touches, uses, inhabits, though without our being able to represent this spread as a physical contagion.
Lev 14:48-53 If the priest should find, however, that after the fresh plastering the mole had not appeared again, or spread (to other places), he was to pronounce the house clean, because the evil was cured, and (Lev 14:49-53) to perform the same rite of purification as was prescribed for the restoration of a man, who had been cured of leprosy, to the national community (Lev 14:4-7). The purpose was also the same, namely, to cleanse (חטּא cleanse from sin) and make atonement for the house, i.
e. , to purify it from the uncleanness of sin which had appeared in the leprosy. For, although it is primarily in the human body that sin manifests itself, it spreads from man to the things which he touches, uses, inhabits, though without our being able to represent this spread as a physical contagion.
Lev 14:54-57 Lev 14:54-57 contain the concluding formula to ch. 13 and 14. The law of leprosy was given “to teach in the day of the unclean and the clean,” i.e., to give directions for the time when they would have to do with the clean and unclean.
Lev 14:54-57 Lev 14:54-57 contain the concluding formula to ch. 13 and 14. The law of leprosy was given “to teach in the day of the unclean and the clean,” i.e., to give directions for the time when they would have to do with the clean and unclean.
Lev 14:54-57 Lev 14:54-57 contain the concluding formula to ch. 13 and 14. The law of leprosy was given “to teach in the day of the unclean and the clean,” i.e., to give directions for the time when they would have to do with the clean and unclean.