Leviticus 14 51

Leviticus 14:51 kjv

And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times:

Leviticus 14:51 nkjv

and he shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.

Leviticus 14:51 niv

Then he is to take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn and the live bird, dip them into the blood of the dead bird and the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times.

Leviticus 14:51 esv

and shall take the cedarwood and the hyssop and the scarlet yarn, along with the live bird, and dip them in the blood of the bird that was killed and in the fresh water and sprinkle the house seven times.

Leviticus 14:51 nlt

He will take the cedar stick, the hyssop branch, the scarlet yarn, and the live bird, and dip them into the blood of the slaughtered bird and into the fresh water. Then he will sprinkle the house seven times.

Leviticus 14 verses

Leviticus 14 51 Meaning

Leviticus 14:51 details a specific step in the purification ritual for a house affected by tzara'at (a severe mildew or fungal growth). It describes the sprinkling of a mixture of blood from a slain bird and "living water" upon the house, repeated seven times, signifying a thorough and complete cleansing necessary to restore the dwelling to a state of ritual purity within the community of Israel. This ritual acts as a divinely prescribed means of removing defilement.

Leviticus 14 51 Context

Leviticus 14 outlines the detailed rituals for cleansing a person or house afflicted with tzara'at. This term, often translated "leprosy," refers to a range of severe skin ailments in people and also specific kinds of mold or fungus in garments and buildings. This verse falls within the section addressing the tzara'at of a house, which would render it ceremonially unclean, preventing its inhabitants from fully participating in community worship and life. The ritual involves complex steps, including the priest's inspection, tearing down parts of the house if necessary, and ultimately this cleansing ritual. The core belief is that tzara'at signifies a defilement that affects the entire dwelling, requiring a complete purification process for the house to be consecrated again. This ritual, like many others in Leviticus, emphasizes the holiness required by God of His covenant people and their living spaces, distinguishing them from other nations' potentially unclean practices and promoting a communal sense of purity and health.

Leviticus 14 51 Word analysis

• and shall dip them: The 'them' refers to the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop mentioned in earlier verses (Lev. 14:49) as implements used in the cleansing ritual. Dipping signifies an anointing or saturation for application.
• in the blood of the slain fowl:
  • blood (דָּם dam): Central to the ritual system in the Old Testament. Blood represents life (Lev. 17:11) and serves as the means for atonement and purification from defilement. The use of blood signifies a life offered to cover or cleanse from impurity.
  • slain fowl (צִפּוֹר הַשֹּׁחֵט tsippor hashoḥeṭ): The bird designated to be killed as part of the two-bird ritual. Its death atones for the defilement, while the other living bird, released, symbolizes the freedom and renewal that come from cleansing.
• and in the fresh water:
  • fresh water (מַיִם חַיִּים mayim ḥayyīm): Literally "living water," which denotes running water from a spring or river. Unlike stagnant water, living water is considered pure and fresh, symbolizing renewal, vitality, and true cleansing. Its constant flow implies life and freshness. This contrasts with common cultural uses of water for bathing; here, it is part of a ritual act of divine purification.
• and sprinkle (הִזָּה hizzah): This specific term means to sprinkle or splash, often in a ritualistic context. It indicates the ceremonial application of a purifying agent. Sprinkling distributes the cleansing mixture, symbolizing the removal of defilement from the house's surfaces.
• the house (הַבַּיִת habbāyit): Refers to the physical dwelling afflicted with tzara'at. The house, as the place of human habitation, directly impacts the family's ability to participate in communal life; thus its purification is crucial for the household's integration and well-being in the Israelite society.
• seven times (שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים sheva' pe'amim): The number seven in biblical numerology often signifies completeness, perfection, or divine fulfillment. Repeating the sprinkling seven times ensures that the cleansing is thoroughly performed and divinely consecrated, signifying total purification and restoration in God's eyes. It confirms the comprehensive nature of the atonement and renewal process.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "dip them in the blood... and in the fresh water": This phrase emphasizes the combination of blood and living water. Blood points to the life given in atonement, and living water points to the cleansing and revitalizing power associated with God's presence and Spirit. The ritual requires both elements working in conjunction.
  • "sprinkle the house seven times": This highlights the intentional, complete, and divinely sanctioned application of the cleansing agents to every part of the affected dwelling. The action itself signifies the transfer of purity and the removal of uncleanness.

Leviticus 14 51 Bonus section

The materials used in this ritual (cedar wood, hyssop, scarlet yarn, two birds, fresh water) are consistent across the tzara'at cleansing rituals for both persons (Lev. 14:4-7) and houses, underscoring a unified approach to defilement. Cedar wood (durable, strong, fragrant) could represent enduring purification or the substantial nature of the affected item. Hyssop (a small plant often used for sprinkling due to its sponge-like nature) symbolizes humility or the instrument through which purity is applied. Scarlet yarn (red, vivid color) could symbolize the life or vitality, connected with the blood, or a strong connection to earthly life which needs redemption. The interplay of blood (atonement) and living water (purification, spiritual vitality) forms a central theological theme of cleansing and renewal, pointing forward to the New Covenant's provision in Jesus Christ.

Leviticus 14 51 Commentary

Leviticus 14:51 is a crucial part of the detailed priestly instructions for purifying a house deemed unclean due to tzara'at. This specific act of sprinkling combines two powerful elements: the life-giving, atoning power of blood from the sacrificed fowl and the renewing, purifying power of "living water." The priest, using a bundle of cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet yarn, meticulously applies this mixture. The repetition of the act seven times underscores the completeness and divine authorization of the cleansing. This ritual was not merely for hygiene, but profoundly theological. It conveyed that God provided the means for His people, including their very dwellings, to be made clean and holy, suitable for His presence in their midst. It illustrates that defilement requires sacrifice and an active divine work of purification. Symbolically, this ritual foreshadows the ultimate cleansing work of Christ, whose sacrifice (blood) and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (living water) provide true and complete purification from sin, making believers a holy dwelling for God.