Leviticus 14 4

Leviticus 14:4 kjv

Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

Leviticus 14:4 nkjv

then the priest shall command to take for him who is to be cleansed two living and clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop.

Leviticus 14:4 niv

the priest shall order that two live clean birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be brought for the person to be cleansed.

Leviticus 14:4 esv

the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two live clean birds and cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop.

Leviticus 14:4 nlt

he will perform a purification ceremony, using two live birds that are ceremonially clean, a stick of cedar, some scarlet yarn, and a hyssop branch.

Leviticus 14 verses

Leviticus 14 4 Meaning

Leviticus 14:4 prescribes the specific items necessary for the initial stage of the ritual purification of an individual healed from tzara'at, a severe skin condition. It mandates that the priest, acting on divine command, ensures the provision of two living, clean birds, durable cedar wood, crimson scarlet thread, and purifying hyssop for the cleansing ceremony. This provision signifies the meticulous divine requirements for reinstating the formerly defiled individual into the community and allowing their return to worship.

Leviticus 14 4 Context

Leviticus Chapter 14 outlines the detailed ceremonial procedures for the purification of a person who has recovered from tzara'at, a severe and highly defiling skin condition that extended beyond what is commonly understood as leprosy today. This elaborate ritual was necessary not as a cure (as the person was already healed), but as a formal reinstatement into the Israelite community and religious life, signifying that they were ritually pure and could re-enter the camp and engage in worship at the tabernacle. Verse 4 specifies the precise materials required for the initial, outer cleansing performed outside the camp. The historical context reveals that tzara'at isolated individuals from society due to its profound impurity, making the priest's role as God's mediator in declaring impurity or purity, and overseeing the purification rites, absolutely crucial for a return to fellowship.

Leviticus 14 4 Word analysis

• then the priest (וְצִוָּה הַכֹּהֵן - və-tsivvāh hakkōhēn):

  • və-tsivvāh (וְצִוָּה): "and he shall command/order." This active verb emphasizes the priest's authoritative role. The instruction is not a mere suggestion but a binding decree, reflective of God's direct command delivered through His designated intermediary.
  • hakkōhēn (הַכֹּהֵן): "the priest." Refers to the specific individual chosen and consecrated by God to mediate in sacred matters, signifying the divine appointment and structure of the purification process.

• shall command (צִוָּה - tsivvāh): Highlights the imperative nature of the instruction; the ritual elements are not optional but divinely mandated through priestly authority.

• to take for him (לָקַח לוֹ - lāqaḥ lō):

  • lāqaḥ (לָקַח): "to take." An infinitive that conveys the action required, often implying acquisition or gathering of the specified items.
  • lō (לוֹ): "for him/to him." Identifies the beneficiary and subject of the action: the one undergoing purification.

• who is to be cleansed (לַמִּטָּהֵר - lammittaher):

  • Derived from tāhēr (טָהֵר - "clean, pure"). This specific Hebrew form is a Piel participle, denoting someone actively being cleansed or purifying himself. It signifies the state of a person who is undergoing the process of ritual purification to become clean. It underscores the active participant and the objective of the entire ritual.

• two living clean birds (שְׁתֵּי צִפֳּרִים חַיּוֹת טְהֹרוֹת - shtê tsīpporîm ḥayyôt ṭəhorôt):

  • shtê (שְׁתֵּי): "two." The specific number emphasizes a dual action. One bird's death provides cleansing, and the other's release symbolizes freedom.
  • tsīpporîm (צִפֳּרִים): "birds." Small, often common birds; they are accessible, making the ritual universal. Birds also symbolize freedom or purity in flight.
  • ḥayyôt (חַיּוֹת): "living, alive." Crucial for the symbolic enactment, where one is sacrificed while living, and the other is set free, embodying a dynamic transition from defilement to freedom.
  • ṭəhorôt (טְהֹרוֹת): "clean, pure." Referring to their ritual fitness according to Levitical dietary laws (Lev 11); they are not to be carrion or unclean species. This maintains the standard of holiness in the purification ritual.

• cedar wood (עֵץ אֶרֶז - ‘ēṣ ’erez):

  • ‘ēṣ ’erez: "wood of cedar." Cedar, especially the Cedrus libani (cedar of Lebanon), was renowned for its durability, resistance to decay, pleasant aroma, and majestic size. It was used in important construction (e.g., Solomon's Temple, 1 Kgs 6) and significant rituals (Num 19).
  • Symbolizes permanence, health, strength, and endurance, resisting corruption. Its use in purification speaks to establishing lasting health and soundness after defilement.

• scarlet thread (שְׁנִי תּוֹלַעַת - shənî tôla‘at):

  • shənî (שְׁנִי): "scarlet" or "crimson."
  • tôla‘at (תּוֹלַעַת): "worm," specifically the female cochineal or crimson worm (Kermes vermilio) from which the vivid scarlet dye was extracted by crushing its body.
  • Significance: Scarlet color often symbolized sin (Isa 1:18), lifeblood (vitality), or royalty. The process of the worm's death to yield the dye can subtly point to sacrifice and atonement, and transformation through loss, connecting to the red of sacrifice and cleansing. It links the gravity of the defilement (sin) to the cost of cleansing.

• and hyssop (וְאֵזֹב - və’ēzôv):

  • ’ēzôv: "hyssop." A small, brush-like, aromatic plant (likely a variety of marjoram or oregano, such as Origanum maru). Its fine, flexible branches made it ideal for sprinkling liquids.
  • Consistently associated with ritual cleansing and purification in the Bible, notably in Passover (Exod 12:22), the red heifer ceremony (Num 19:6, 18), and prayers for spiritual cleansing (Psa 51:7). Its small, unassuming nature juxtaposed with the lofty cedar highlights that purification often involves humble means and thorough application.

Words-group analysis:

• "then the priest shall command to take for him who is to be cleansed": This phrase highlights the divine authority behind the ritual and the specific beneficiary. It is a mandated, structured act of bringing purity to the individual. It's not the healed person deciding, but God (through the priest) initiating the process for their full restoration.

• "two living clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet thread, and hyssop": These four items collectively form the essential symbolic instruments for the initial stage of purification. Each has its specific symbolism, yet together they convey the holistic nature of the cleansing process: the living and dying aspects (birds), strength and resistance (cedar), lifeblood/atonement (scarlet), and precise application/humility (hyssop). The specific nature of these elements underscores God's meticulousness regarding holiness and the seriousness of sin/impurity. The combination, particularly the cedar and hyssop bundle often used for sprinkling, creates an instrument for transferring purity or symbolic removal of impurity.

Leviticus 14 4 Bonus section

• Symbolic Connection to Covenant and Sanctuary: The repeated appearance of cedar, scarlet, and hyssop across various Levitical purification rituals (e.g., in cleansing a defiled house in Lev 14, or from contact with a dead body in Num 19) indicates a consistent theology of purification vital for maintaining the holiness of the Israelite camp and its direct interface with God's sanctuary. These elements become symbols understood throughout the covenant.
• Atonement as a Process: The tzara'at cleansing, initiated by this verse, illustrates that atonement and restoration often involve a prescribed process, not just a single act. It demonstrates that the path to complete purity requires following divine instructions carefully, leading the healed individual back step-by-step into full communion and worship. This contrasts with Christ's ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice, which simplifies the way to God but does not negate the need for human response (faith, repentance, obedience).
• The Priest's Role as Representative: The emphasis on "the priest shall command" (Lev 14:4) reinforces the critical role of the priesthood in Old Covenant mediation. The priest acts not on his own authority but as God's representative, overseeing a process that integrates medical diagnosis (of sorts) with religious ritual, bridging the gap between sacred holiness and human defilement. This function finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest who commands spiritual cleansing and restores humanity to God.

Leviticus 14 4 Commentary

Leviticus 14:4 introduces the ceremonial instruments for the profound ritual of cleansing a person healed of tzara'at. The priest's command underscores the divine institution and authority governing this process, signaling a solemn transition from defilement back to communal and sacred life. The meticulously chosen items carry deep symbolic weight, not merely practical utility.

The two living, clean birds encapsulate the dual aspects of the ritual: one bird, representing the penalty of the tzara'at, is sacrificed, indicating that an atonement, a life for a life, is necessary for purification. The other, released, symbolizes freedom from the bondage of the disease and ritual impurity, granting new life and reintegration into society. This dualism foreshadows Christ, whose single death provides both atonement for sin and the spiritual freedom that follows.

Cedar wood, noted for its resilience and longevity, points to the durability of the purification and restoration to full health. Its use suggests a complete removal of decay and a return to strength. The scarlet thread, extracted through the death of a worm, profoundly symbolizes the life force, blood, and the depth of sin which makes one "scarlet," yet it also indicates atonement. Its presence, along with the humble hyssop (a small plant used for sprinkling), shows the application of this cleansing, linking it to various biblical acts of purification, often involving blood or water, through simple means.

Together, these elements emphasize God's provision for dealing with serious defilement. Tzara'at, though a physical malady, often carried connotations of a spiritual ailment or judgment for sin (e.g., Miriam's tzara'at in Num 12), making this physical cleansing a potent picture of spiritual redemption. The ritual's components point to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who perfectly embodies the bird that died and the one set free, and whose shed blood purifies us "though your sins are like scarlet" (Isa 1:18), fully restoring us to fellowship with God and His people. The careful adherence to these divine commands highlights God's demand for holiness and His gracious provision for cleansing.