Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 14

Introduction

Overview

Leviticus 14:1, The rites and sacrifices in cleansing the leper; Leviticus 14:33, The signs of leprosy in a house; Leviticus 14:48, The cleansing of that house.

Verse 2

the law: Leviticus 14:54-57, Leviticus 13:59

in the day: Numbers 6:9

He shall: Matthew 8:2-4, Mark 1:40-44, Luke 5:12-14, Luke 17:14

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:32 - General Leviticus 15:32 - General Leviticus 22:4 - until Matthew 8:4 - show Mark 1:44 - show

Verse 3

go forth: Lepers were obliged to live in a detached situation, separate from other people, and to keep themselves actually at a distance from them. They were distinguished by a peculiar dress; and if any person approached, they were bound to give him warning, by crying out, Unclean! unclean!

out of: Leviticus 13:46

be healed: Exodus 15:26, 2 Kings 5:3, 2 Kings 5:7, 2 Kings 5:8, 2 Kings 5:14, Job 5:18, Matthew 10:8, Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:27, Luke 7:22, Luke 17:15, Luke 17:16-19, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Reciprocal: Leviticus 13:2 - the plague of leprosy Leviticus 14:48 - shall come in

Verse 4

two birds: or, sparrows, The word tzippor, from the Arabic zaphara, to fly, is used in the Scriptures to denote birds of every species, particularly small birds. But it is often used in a more restricted sense, as the Hebrew writers assert, to signify the sparrow. Aquinas says the same; and Jerome renders it here the sparrow. So the Greek ףפסןץטיב, in Matthew and Luke, which signifies a sparrow, is rendered by the Syriac translator tzipparin, the same as the Hebrew tzipporim. Nor is it peculiar to the Hebrews to give the same name to the sparrow and to fowls of the largest size; for Nicander calls the hen ףפסןץטןע ךבפןיךבהןע, the domestic sparrow, and both Plautus and Ausonius call the ostrich, passer marinus, "the marine sparrow." It is evident, however, that the word in this passage signifies birds in general; for if the sparrow was a clean bird, there was no necessity for commanding a clean one to be taken, since every one of the species was ceremonially clean; but if it was unclean, then it could not be called clean. Leviticus 1:14, Leviticus 5:7, Leviticus 12:8

cedar: Leviticus 14:6, Leviticus 14:49-52, Numbers 19:6

scarlet: Hebrews 9:19

hyssop: Exodus 12:22, Numbers 19:18, Psalms 51:7

Reciprocal: Joshua 2:18 - scarlet thread Song of Solomon 4:3 - scarlet Luke 5:14 - and offer

Verse 5

earthen vessel: Leviticus 14:50, Numbers 5:17, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 13:4, Hebrews 2:14

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 36:25 - will I

Verse 6

the living bird: John 14:19, Romans 4:25, Romans 5:10, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 1:18

dip them: Leviticus 14:51-53, Zechariah 13:1, Revelation 1:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:22 - a bunch Leviticus 14:4 - cedar Numbers 19:2 - a red heifer Numbers 19:6 - General Song of Solomon 4:3 - scarlet Hebrews 9:22 - almost

Verse 7

sprinkle: Numbers 19:18, Numbers 19:19, Isaiah 52:15, Ezekiel 36:25, John 19:34, Hebrews 9:13, Hebrews 9:19, Hebrews 9:21, Hebrews 10:22, Hebrews 12:24, 1 Peter 1:2, 1 John 5:6

seven times: Leviticus 14:51, Leviticus 4:6, Leviticus 4:17, Leviticus 8:11, Leviticus 16:14, Leviticus 16:19, 2 Kings 5:10, 2 Kings 5:14, Psalms 51:2, Psalms 51:7, Ephesians 5:26, Ephesians 5:27

pronounce: Leviticus 13:13, Leviticus 13:17

let: Leviticus 16:22, Daniel 9:24, Micah 7:19, Hebrews 9:26

into the open field: Heb. upon the face of the field

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:22 - a bunch Exodus 29:20 - sprinkle Leviticus 16:10 - let him Numbers 8:7 - Sprinkle

Verse 8

wash his: Leviticus 11:25, Leviticus 13:6, Leviticus 15:5-8, Exodus 19:10, Exodus 19:14, Numbers 8:7, Revelation 7:14

wash himself: Leviticus 8:6, 1 Peter 3:21, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 1:6

and shall: Numbers 12:15

seven days: Leviticus 8:33-35, Leviticus 13:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:4 - wash them Exodus 29:35 - seven days Leviticus 8:35 - the tabernacle Leviticus 9:1 - the eighth day Leviticus 11:40 - shall wash Leviticus 14:47 - wash his clothes Leviticus 15:13 - seven days Leviticus 16:26 - wash Numbers 12:14 - let her be Numbers 19:7 - General John 13:5 - to wash Hebrews 9:10 - divers

Verse 9

shave all: Numbers 6:9, Numbers 8:7

wash his flesh: Lictenstein states that "among the Koossas - a nation of South Africa there are certain prevailing notions respecting moral - ceremonial uncleanness. All children are unclean till they are admitted among grown-up persons - which happens with the males through the various ceremonies attending circumcision all lying-in women are unclean for the first month; all men who have lost their wives, for a fortnight, and all widows for a month; a mother who has lost a child, for two days; all persons who have been present at a death, the men returning from a battle, etc. No one may have intercourse with such an unclean person, till he has washed himself, rubbed his body with fresh paint, and rinsed his mouth with milk. But he must not do this till after the lapse of a certain time, fixed by general consent for each particular case, and during this time he must wholly refrain from washing, painting, or drinking milk.

Reciprocal: Leviticus 11:40 - shall wash Leviticus 14:47 - wash his clothes Leviticus 15:5 - General Leviticus 16:24 - wash Numbers 19:7 - General Numbers 19:19 - on the seventh day he Numbers 31:24 - General Deuteronomy 23:11 - wash himself Hebrews 9:10 - divers

Verse 10

eighth day: Leviticus 14:23, Leviticus 9:1, Leviticus 15:13, Leviticus 15:14

take: Matthew 8:4, Mark 1:44, Luke 5:14

he lambs: Leviticus 1:10, John 1:29, 1 Peter 1:19

ewe lamb: Leviticus 4:32, Numbers 6:14

of the first year: Heb. the daughter of her year

three tenth: Leviticus 23:13, Exodus 29:40, Numbers 15:9, Numbers 28:20

a meat offering: Leviticus 2:1, Numbers 15:4-15, John 6:33, John 6:51

log of oil: Leviticus 14:12, Leviticus 14:15, Leviticus 14:21, Leviticus 14:24

Reciprocal: Leviticus 9:3 - both Leviticus 14:20 - General Leviticus 14:32 - whose hand Numbers 7:43 - mingled with oil Numbers 18:20 - General

Verse 11

Leviticus 8:3, Exodus 29:1-4, Numbers 8:6-11, Numbers 8:21, Ephesians 5:26, Ephesians 5:27, Jude 1:24

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:23 - General

Verse 12

trespass: Leviticus 5:2, Leviticus 5:3, Leviticus 5:6, Leviticus 5:7, Leviticus 5:18, Leviticus 5:19, Leviticus 6:6, Leviticus 6:7, Isaiah 53:10

wave them: Leviticus 8:27-29, Exodus 29:24

Reciprocal: Leviticus 7:1 - the law Leviticus 14:10 - log of oil Leviticus 14:19 - General

Verse 13

in the place: Leviticus 1:5, Leviticus 1:11, Leviticus 4:4, Leviticus 4:24, Exodus 29:11

as the sin: Leviticus 7:7, Leviticus 10:17

it is most holy: Leviticus 2:3, Leviticus 7:6, Leviticus 21:22

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:6 - trespass offering Leviticus 7:1 - the law Numbers 18:9 - every trespass Numbers 18:10 - In the Ezekiel 42:13 - the most holy

Verse 14

Leviticus 8:23, Leviticus 8:24, Exodus 29:20, Isaiah 1:5, Romans 6:13, Romans 6:19, Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Philippians 1:20, 1 Peter 1:14, 1 Peter 1:15, 1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 2:10, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 1:6

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:17 - General Leviticus 14:25 - General Hebrews 9:22 - almost

Verse 15

Psalms 45:7, John 3:34, 1 John 2:20

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:21 - the anointing oil Leviticus 14:10 - log of oil

Verse 16

Leviticus 4:6, Leviticus 4:17, Luke 17:18, 1 Corinthians 10:31

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:20 - sprinkle Joshua 6:4 - seven times 2 Kings 5:10 - seven times

Verse 17

Leviticus 14:14, Leviticus 8:30, Exodus 29:20, Exodus 29:21, Ezekiel 36:27, John 1:16, Titus 3:3-6, 1 Peter 1:2

Reciprocal: Leviticus 8:23 - Moses took

Verse 18

the remnant: Leviticus 8:12, Exodus 29:7, 2 Corinthians 1:21, 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 1:18

make an atonement: Leviticus 4:26, Leviticus 4:31, Leviticus 5:16

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:6 - seven times Leviticus 4:19 - General Leviticus 4:20 - an atonement Leviticus 4:35 - and the priest shall make Leviticus 14:29 - General Leviticus 15:15 - an atonement

Verse 19

Leviticus 14:12, Leviticus 5:1, Leviticus 5:6, Leviticus 12:6-8, Romans 8:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Reciprocal: Leviticus 15:15 - the one Numbers 8:12 - the one

Verse 20

Leviticus 14:10, Ephesians 5:2

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:29 - General Leviticus 14:53 - General Leviticus 15:15 - the one Numbers 8:12 - the one 2 Chronicles 29:24 - to make

Verse 21

poor: Leviticus 1:14, Leviticus 5:7, Leviticus 12:8, 1 Samuel 2:8, Job 34:19, Proverbs 17:5, Proverbs 22:2, Luke 6:20, Luke 21:2-4, 2 Corinthians 8:9, 2 Corinthians 8:12, James 2:5, James 2:6

cannot: Heb. his hand reach not

one lamb: Leviticus 14:10

to be waved: Heb. for a waving

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:32 - whose hand Leviticus 27:8 - poorer Ezekiel 46:5 - as he shall be able to give Luke 5:14 - and offer

Verse 22

two turtle doves: Tor, the turtle or ring-dove, so called by an onomatopœia from its cooing, as in Greek פסץדשם, Latin, turtur and English, turtle. It is a species of the dove or pigeon, here called yonah, and in the Syriac yauno, from the verb to oppress, afflict, because of its being particularly defenceless, and exposed to rapine and violence. The dove is a genus of birds too well known to need a particular description; and of which there are several species besides the turtle-dove; as the wood pigeon, tame pigeon, and others. The dove is universally allowed to be one of the most beautiful objects in nature. The brilliancy of her plumage, the splendour of her eye, the innocence of her look, the excellence of her dispositions, and the purity of her manners, have been the theme of admiration and praise in every age. To the snowy whiteness of her wings, and the rich golden hues that adorn her neck, the inspired Psalmist alludes in most elegant strains - Psalms 68:13. The voice of the dove is particularly tender and plaintive, and bears a striking resemblance to the groan of a person in distress; to which the inspired bards frequently allude - Isaiah 38:14, Isaiah 59:11, Ezekiel 7:16. Her native dwelling is in the caves or hollows of the rock; allusions to which fact also occur in the Sacred Writings - Song of Solomon 2:14, Jeremiah 48:28. Her manners are as engaging as her form is elegant, and her plumage rich and beautiful. She is the chosen emblem of simplicity, gentleness, chastity, and feminine timidity, and for this reason, as well as from their abounding in the East, they were probably chosen as offerings by Jehovah. Psalms 68:13, Song of Solomon 2:14, Isaiah 38:14, Isaiah 59:11, Jeremiah 48:28, Ezekiel 7:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:9 - General Leviticus 5:7 - one Leviticus 12:6 - a lamb Leviticus 12:8 - she be not able to bring a lamb Leviticus 14:30 - General Leviticus 15:14 - General Leviticus 27:8 - poorer Numbers 6:10 - General Numbers 8:12 - the one Matthew 21:12 - doves Luke 5:14 - and offer

Verse 23

Leviticus 14:11

Reciprocal: Leviticus 9:1 - the eighth day Leviticus 14:10 - eighth day Numbers 6:10 - General

Verse 24

Leviticus 14:10-13

Reciprocal: Numbers 6:12 - a trespass

Verse 25

Leviticus 14:14-20, Psalms 40:6, Ecclesiastes 5:1

Reciprocal: Hebrews 9:22 - almost

Verse 27

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:6 - seven times Leviticus 15:5 - General

Verse 28

Reciprocal: Leviticus 8:23 - Moses took

Verse 29

Leviticus 14:18, Leviticus 14:20, Exodus 30:15, Exodus 30:16, John 17:19, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 5:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:21 - the anointing oil

Verse 30

Leviticus 14:22, Leviticus 12:8, Leviticus 15:14, Leviticus 15:15, Luke 2:24, Romans 8:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:9 - General Numbers 6:11 - offer Matthew 21:12 - doves

Verse 31

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:7 - one Leviticus 15:15 - the one Numbers 6:10 - General Numbers 6:11 - offer

Verse 32

Leviticus 14:2, Leviticus 14:54-57, Leviticus 13:59

whose hand: Leviticus 14:10, Leviticus 14:21, Psalms 72:12-14, Psalms 136:23, Matthew 11:5, 1 Corinthians 1:27, 1 Corinthians 1:28

Reciprocal: Leviticus 15:32 - General

Verse 34

When: Leviticus 23:10, Leviticus 25:2, Numbers 35:10, Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 12:1, Deuteronomy 12:8, Deuteronomy 19:1, Deuteronomy 26:1, Deuteronomy 27:3

which I: Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:17, Genesis 17:8, Numbers 32:32, Deuteronomy 12:9, Deuteronomy 12:10, Deuteronomy 32:49, Joshua 13:1

I put the plague of leprosy: It was probably from this text, that the leprosy has been in general considered to be a supernatural disease, inflicted immediately by God himself; but it cannot be inferred from this expression, as it is well known, that in Scripture, God is frequently represented as doing what, in the course of his providence, he only permits to be done. Exodus 15:26, Deuteronomy 7:15, 1 Samuel 2:6, Proverbs 3:33, Isaiah 45:7, Amos 3:6, Amos 6:11, Micah 6:9

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:55 - of a house Leviticus 19:23 - And when Numbers 15:2 - General Deuteronomy 17:14 - When thou 2 Chronicles 26:20 - the Lord Zechariah 5:4 - and it shall remain

Verse 35

a plague: Deuteronomy 7:26, Joshua 7:21, 1 Samuel 3:12-14, 1 Kings 13:34, Psalms 91:10, Proverbs 3:33, Zechariah 5:4

Reciprocal: Leviticus 13:2 - the plague of leprosy

Verse 36

empty: or, prepare

be not made: 1 Corinthians 15:33, 2 Timothy 2:17, 2 Timothy 2:18, Hebrews 12:15, Revelation 18:4

Reciprocal: Numbers 19:15 - General

Verse 37

Leviticus 13:3, Leviticus 13:19, Leviticus 13:20, Leviticus 13:42, Leviticus 13:49

Verse 38

Leviticus 13:50

Verse 39

Leviticus 13:7, Leviticus 13:8, Leviticus 13:22, Leviticus 13:27, Leviticus 13:36, Leviticus 13:51, The consideration of the circumstances will exhibit the importance and the propriety of the Mosaic ordinance on the subject of the house leprosy.

1. Moses ordained that the owner of a house, when any suspicious spots appeared on the walls, should be bound to give notice of it, in order that the house might be inspected; and that person, as in the case of the human leprosy, was to be the priest, whose duty it was. Now this would serve to check the mischief at its very origin, and make every one attentive to observe it.

2. On notice being given, the priest was to inspect the house, but the occupant had liberty to remove everything previously out of it; and that this might be done, the priest was empowered to order it ex officio; for whatever was found within a house declared unclean, became unclean along with it.

3. If, on the first inspection, the complaint did not appear wholly without foundation, but suspicious spots or dimples were actually to be seen, the house was to be shut up for seven days and then to be inspected anew. If, in this interval, the evil did not spread, it was considered as have been a circumstance merely accidental, and the house was not polluted; but if it had spread, it was not considered a harmless accident, but the real house leprosy; and the stones affected with it were to be broken out of the wall, and carried to an unclean place without the city, and the walls of the whole house here scraped and plastered anew.

4. If, after this, the leprosy broke out afresh, the whole house was to be pulled down, and the materials carried without the city. Moses therefore, never suffered a leprous house to stand.

5. If, on the other hand, the house being inspected a second time, was found clean, it was solemnly so declared, and offering made on the occasion; in order that every one might know for certain that it was not infected, and the public be freed from all fears on that score. By this law many evils were actually prevented - it would check the mischief in its very origin, and make every one attentive to observe it: the people would also guard against those impurities whence it arose, and thus the health be preserved and not suffer in an infected house. These Mosaic statues were intended to prevent infection by the sacred obligations of religion. Ceremonial laws many keep more conscientiously and sacredly than moral precepts.

Verse 40

take away: Psalms 101:5, Psalms 101:7, Psalms 101:8, Proverbs 22:10, Proverbs 25:4, Proverbs 25:5, Isaiah 1:25, Isaiah 1:26, Matthew 18:17, John 15:2, 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 5:6, 1 Corinthians 5:13, Titus 3:10, 2 John 1:10, 2 John 1:11, Revelation 2:2, Revelation 2:6, Revelation 2:14-16, Revelation 2:20

without the city: Revelation 22:15

Reciprocal: Leviticus 6:11 - without

Verse 41

into an unclean place: Job 36:13, Job 36:14, Isaiah 65:4, Matthew 8:28, Matthew 24:51, 1 Timothy 1:20, Revelation 22:15

Reciprocal: Leviticus 6:11 - without Leviticus 14:45 - into an unclean place Ezekiel 26:4 - I

Verse 42

Genesis 18:19, Joshua 24:15, 2 Chronicles 17:7-9, 2 Chronicles 19:5-7, 2 Chronicles 29:4, 2 Chronicles 29:5, Psalms 101:6, Acts 1:20-26, 1 Timothy 5:9, 1 Timothy 5:10, 1 Timothy 5:21, 1 Timothy 5:22, 2 Timothy 2:2, Titus 1:5-9

Verse 43

Jeremiah 6:28-30, Ezekiel 24:13, Hebrews 6:4-8, 2 Peter 2:20, 2 Peter 2:22, Jude 1:12

Verse 44

Leviticus 13:51, Leviticus 13:52, Zechariah 5:4

Verse 45

break down: 1 Kings 9:6-9, 2 Kings 10:27, 2 Kings 17:20-23, 2 Kings 18:4, 2 Kings 25:4-12, 2 Kings 25:25, 2 Kings 25:26, Jeremiah 52:13, Ezekiel 5:4, Matthew 22:7, Matthew 24:2, Romans 11:7-11, Revelation 11:2

into an unclean place: Leviticus 14:41

Reciprocal: Leviticus 11:33 - ye shall break it Leviticus 13:52 - fretting leprosy

Verse 46

shall be unclean: Leviticus 11:24, Leviticus 11:25, Leviticus 11:28, Leviticus 15:5-8, Leviticus 15:10, Leviticus 17:15, Leviticus 22:6, Numbers 19:7-10, Numbers 19:21, Numbers 19:22

Verse 47

wash his clothes: Leviticus 14:8, Leviticus 14:9

Reciprocal: Leviticus 15:5 - General

Verse 48

shall come in: Heb. in coming in shall come in, etc. because. Leviticus 14:3, Job 5:18, Hosea 6:1, Mark 5:29, Mark 5:34, Luke 7:21, 1 Corinthians 6:11

Verse 49

Leviticus 14:4-7

Reciprocal: Numbers 19:6 - General Psalms 51:7 - Purge Song of Solomon 4:3 - scarlet Hebrews 9:19 - scarlet

Verse 50

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:5 - earthen vessel

Verse 51

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:6 - dip them Leviticus 14:7 - seven times 2 Kings 5:10 - seven times Hebrews 9:22 - almost

Verse 52

Reciprocal: Hebrews 9:22 - almost

Verse 53

Leviticus 14:20

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:35 - and the priest shall make

Verse 54

the law: Leviticus 14:2, Leviticus 14:32, Leviticus 6:9, Leviticus 6:14, Leviticus 6:25, Leviticus 7:1, Leviticus 7:37, Leviticus 11:46, Leviticus 15:32, Numbers 5:29, Numbers 6:13, Numbers 19:14, Deuteronomy 24:8

scall: Leviticus 13:30, Leviticus 13:31

Reciprocal: Numbers 30:16 - General Numbers 36:13 - the commandments

Verse 55

the leprosy: Leviticus 13:47-59

of a house: Leviticus 14:34

Verse 56

a rising: Leviticus 13:2

Verse 57

teach: Leviticus 10:10, Jeremiah 15:19, Ezekiel 44:23

when it is unclean, and when it is clean: Heb. in the day of the unclean, and in the day of the clean

this is: Deuteronomy 24:8

Reciprocal: Mark 1:40 - a leper Luke 5:12 - full