Leviticus 14 37

Leviticus 14:37 kjv

And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall;

Leviticus 14:37 nkjv

And he shall examine the plague; and indeed if the plague is on the walls of the house with ingrained streaks, greenish or reddish, which appear to be deep in the wall,

Leviticus 14:37 niv

He is to examine the mold on the walls, and if it has greenish or reddish depressions that appear to be deeper than the surface of the wall,

Leviticus 14:37 esv

And he shall examine the disease. And if the disease is in the walls of the house with greenish or reddish spots, and if it appears to be deeper than the surface,

Leviticus 14:37 nlt

Then the priest will go in and examine the mildew on the walls. If he finds greenish or reddish streaks and the contamination appears to go deeper than the wall's surface,

Leviticus 14 verses

Leviticus 14 37 Meaning

Leviticus 14:37 describes the specific visual signs a priest must look for when diagnosing a "leprous disease" (tzara'at) in a house. If the affected area on the walls or structure exhibits spots that are distinctly greenish or reddish in hue, and critically, if these spots appear to be ingrained or deeper than the surface, penetrating beyond the outer plaster, it is definitively classified as a severe "diseased house," indeed a true "leprous disease." These signs indicate a deep, pervasive ritual impurity that necessitates a serious course of action, possibly leading to the dismantling of the dwelling.

Leviticus 14 37 Context

Leviticus Chapter 14 continues the priestly instructions concerning tzara'at, extending the laws from affected individuals (Ch. 13) to their dwellings. The preceding verses (Lev 14:33-36) establish the premise: tzara'at in a house is a phenomenon specifically ordained by God, not merely a natural occurrence. Upon observing suspicious signs, the homeowner was to report to the priest before entering, to avoid making all their possessions unclean. The priest's initial step involved clearing the house of its contents and then a preliminary inspection. Verse 37 details the specific criteria the priest would then look for to confirm whether the "diseased area" was indeed tzara'at necessitating isolation and further procedures. This entire process highlights the comprehensive nature of the Mosaic law in addressing defilement, signifying that even physical structures could embody ritual impurity, which had profound spiritual implications for the residents and their community.

Leviticus 14 37 Word analysis

• and if (וְהִנֵּה֙ - vəhinnēh): Literally "and behold." This particle often introduces a significant observation or a conditional clause in Hebrew, highlighting the immediate focus of the priest's examination and emphasizing the conditional nature of the diagnosis.
• the diseased area (הַנֶּגַע֙ - han·neḡa‘): From nega, meaning a stroke, plague, blow, or spot. It refers specifically to the affliction or defilement that has appeared, indicating it is an act of God (a 'stroke' or 'plague') rather than merely natural deterioration. This term is consistently used for tzara'at afflictions, underscoring its supernatural origin.
• has greenish (יְרַקְרַ֜ק - yə·raq·raq): From the root yaraq (green), with a reduplicated ending suggesting a slight, yellowish-green hue or a tinge, not a deep, uniform color. This hints at the insidious and specific nature of the tzara'at manifestation.
• or (א֣וֹ - ʾōw): A simple disjunctive conjunction, indicating either the greenish or reddish hue qualifies as a diagnostic sign.
• reddish (אֲדַמְדָּם֙ - ʾă·ḏam·dām): From the root ʾādōm (red), similarly with a reduplicated ending suggesting a light red or reddish tinge. The combination of greenish and reddish might point to different types or stages of the "disease," or simply the range of manifestations considered "leprous."
• spots (often implied by "diseased area" and "colors"): The text focuses on the characteristic discoloration as a primary diagnostic sign.
• and it appears to be deeper (שָׁפָל֙ - šā·p̄āl): Literally "lower" or "deeper." This is a crucial diagnostic criterion. It indicates that the affliction is not merely superficial staining on the surface but has penetrated into the material of the house, implying a more serious and entrenched issue.
• than the surface (מִן־הָעֹ֗ור - min-hā·ʿōwr): Literally "from the skin." Applied metaphorically to the house's plastered or stone "skin," emphasizing that the affliction extends beneath the visible outer layer, signaling a deeper level of contamination or defilement within the structure itself.
• it is a diseased house (בַּבַּ֜יִת הֽוּא׃ - bab·ba·yiṯ hū): "It is in the house" or "it belongs to the house." This phrase makes it clear that the affliction is indeed on the house, directly identifying the structure as the object of defilement. The verb "to be" (hū) affirms the state.
• it is a leprous disease (וְהִנֵּה֙ צָרַ֙עַת֙ - wəhinnēh ṣāraʿaṯ): This is the definitive pronouncement from the priest, confirming the presence of tzara'at. The reiteration with "and behold" (vəhinnēh) underscores the certainty and gravity of the diagnosis. Tzara'at signifies a divine affliction carrying severe ritual impurity.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "and if the diseased area has greenish or reddish spots": This phrase details the initial visual diagnostic criteria: discoloration. The colors, being slight variations (greenish/reddish), show specific, subtle yet identifiable symptoms the priest had to look for. This suggests a careful and methodical inspection was required.
• "and it appears to be deeper than the surface": This second crucial phrase specifies the depth criterion. It shifts the focus from superficial appearance to structural penetration. This depth signifies the seriousness of the tzara'at; it's not a light stain but an ingrained, pervasive problem, indicating deep-seated corruption or defilement, whether physical or symbolic.
• "it is a diseased house; it is a leprous disease.": This constitutes the priestly verdict. The immediate and conclusive double declaration emphasizes the gravity. "Diseased house" refers to the literal manifestation, while "leprous disease" classifies it under the broader category of tzara'at, marking it as ritually unclean and divinely afflicted. This final pronouncement dictates the necessary, severe ritual responses outlined in subsequent verses.

Leviticus 14 37 Bonus section

Rabbinic tradition often associates tzara'at ha-bayit (plague of the house) not merely with a physical affliction but as a direct consequence of moral transgression, especially in the areas of speech and financial ethics. Some sages taught that the disease of the house was a warning for lashon hara (evil speech/slander), or for accumulating wealth dishonestly, failing to lend to the poor, or misusing God's gifts and violating tithes. The reasoning was that the affliction would begin with visible spots, forcing the owner to clear out their possessions. If the sins persisted, walls would be torn down, and eventually the entire house dismantled (Lev 14:43-45). This was seen as a divine act of mercy, allowing individuals to repent and publicly remove hidden iniquity, as the stones and wood "testified" against them. Thus, the physical manifestation in the house served as a stark, undeniable call to repentance before complete destruction or exile from God's presence ensued.

Leviticus 14 37 Commentary

Leviticus 14:37 outlines precise diagnostic criteria for tzara'at of a house. The greenish or reddish spots, when combined with their apparent penetration beneath the surface, formed the unmistakable signs of this severe ritual impurity. This detailed visual examination underscored the gravity of tzara'at as not just a physical problem but a state of divine affliction and ritual defilement. It served both a practical purpose, possibly indicating dangerous molds or fungi, and a profound spiritual purpose.

Spiritually, tzara'at in a house could symbolize the pervasiveness of sin, particularly that which is hidden or has taken deep root within a household or community. Just as sin can permeate and corrupt an individual's life, leading to isolation, it can also affect the very spaces they inhabit, making them unfit for the presence of a holy God. The depth criterion (deeper than the surface) signifies that this defilement is not superficial but deeply embedded, demanding a more radical solution than mere washing or scraping. It served as a visible, divine warning, compelling inhabitants to consider the spiritual condition of their lives and environment, and to ultimately seek complete removal of anything that profanes holiness. The meticulous legal details illustrate God's demand for thoroughness in purification, reflecting the seriousness of anything that stands in opposition to His perfect holiness.