Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 14

Verses 1-57

Leviticus 14:1-57 The Restoration of the Cleansed Leper Leviticus 14:1-57 records the law of the leper in restoring him into the congregation when he is declared clean. Benny Hinn teaches that the articles used in the leper’s cleansing ritual are symbolic of the redemptive work of Christ Jesus on Calvary, where our cleansing took place. He says the bird that is killed represents Christ’s death, while the bird that remains alive represents His resurrection (Leviticus 14:4-5). The blood of the bird that is killed is mixed with running water, signifying how Jesus’ blood came forth from His pierced side mixed with water (Leviticus 14:5). The earthen vessel represents the body of Christ, which contains the blood of the bird that is killed (Leviticus 14:6). The cedar wood represents the cross where Christ suffered on Calvary. The Roman soldiers cast lots at the foot of the Cross for the scarlet robe that Jesus wore, represented in this passage by the scarlet cloth used by the priest (Leviticus 14:6). The hyssop, used by the priest, was also used by the soldiers to offer Jesus vinegar while on the Cross (Leviticus 14:6). The sprinkling of the blood seven times represents the seven times that Jesus’ blood was shed during His Passion and Death (Leviticus 14:7). Hinn lists the seven times Jesus shed His blood: in the Garden of Gethsemane, the crown of thorns, His beard plucked out, His scourging, His hands nailed to the Cross, His feet nailed to the Cross, and His side pierced. The sprinkling of the blood upon the leper signifies the fact that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin (Leviticus 14:7). The leper shaves all of his hair and clothes, which represents a believer, who has been cleansed from his sins (Leviticus 14:8-9). [25] On the eighth day, which represents a new beginning, the cleansed leper offers a sacrifice, representing our testimony before men (Leviticus 14:10-13). The priest applied blood to the cleansed leper’s right ear, right thumb, and right big toe, symbolizing that the blood of Jesus covers our thoughts and words, our actions, and our walk with the Lord (Leviticus 14:14). The oil that is sprinkled before the Lord seven times, then placed on the person’s right ear, right thumb, and right big toe represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon our minds, bodies and walk (Leviticus 14:15-17) The oil that is poured over the head represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit that is provided to every believer (Leviticus 14:18).

[25] Benny Hinn, This is Your Day (Irving, Texas), on Trinity Broadcasting Network (Santa Ana, California), television program, 19 June 2009.

Note how all of the articles used by the priest in the ceremonial cleansing of the leper are also found at the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ:

The scarlet cloth:

Matthew 27:28, “And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe .”

Matthew 27:35, “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.”

The hyssop:

John 19:29-30, “Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop , and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

The blood mixed with water:

John 19:34-37, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water . And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.”

The wood:

1 Peter 2:24, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree , that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Leviticus 14:7 And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.

Leviticus 14:7 Comments - Note how the number seven is used in cleansing of Naaman the leper:

2 Kings 5:10, “And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times , and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.”

2 Kings 5:14, “Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”

Leviticus 14:40 Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:

Leviticus 14:40 “into an unclean place without the city” - Comments - In Jerusalem the name of this unclean place outside the city became the Valley of Hinnon. This word has its origin from the Hebrew words ( הנם גא ), literally meaning “valley of Hinnon,” which is the valley on the south side of Jerusalem. In the New Testament Greek, this word, translated “Gehenna,” is used for the word “hell.”