Leviticus 14 54

Leviticus 14:54 kjv

This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall,

Leviticus 14:54 nkjv

"This is the law for any leprous sore and scale,

Leviticus 14:54 niv

These are the regulations for any defiling skin disease, for a sore,

Leviticus 14:54 esv

This is the law for any case of leprous disease: for an itch,

Leviticus 14:54 nlt

"These are the instructions for dealing with serious skin diseases, including scabby sores;

Leviticus 14 verses

Leviticus 14 54 Meaning

This verse serves as a concluding statement for the comprehensive ritual purity laws concerning nega tzara'at, often translated "leprous disease," and related skin conditions (such as a "scab" or scaling) detailed in the preceding two chapters. It definitively states that the elaborate instructions regarding diagnosis, isolation, and purification for these specific ailments constitute "the law," binding and complete divine revelation from the LORD to His people through Moses and the priests. It summarizes the preceding regulations from chapter 13, which covered identification, and chapter 14, which outlined the purification processes, signifying the entirety of these instructions as a single, divinely ordained statute for the children of Israel.

Leviticus 14 54 Context

Leviticus 14:54 concludes a detailed two-chapter segment (Leviticus 13-14) focusing on nega tzara'at (skin affliction or "leprous disease") and related impurities. Chapter 13 provides precise instructions for the priests to diagnose various skin conditions, differentiating between those that render a person ritually unclean and those that do not. If deemed unclean, the afflicted individual was to be isolated outside the Israelite camp to prevent the defilement of the holy community and the Tabernacle, symbolizing their separation from God's holy presence. Chapter 14 outlines the elaborate and multi-stage purification ritual for a person healed of tzara'at, involving a complex series of sacrifices, washings, shaving, and offerings over several days, all mediated by the priest. This lengthy process signifies a comprehensive cleansing and restoration of the individual to full communal and spiritual fellowship. Historically, these laws underscore the Israelite covenant identity as a holy nation, emphasizing the vital importance of purity for dwelling in the presence of a holy God amidst a sinful world. These rituals were also a polemic against pagan practices which did not maintain such standards of purity or communal health, and they taught spiritual truths about sin's defilement and God's provision for cleansing and restoration.

Leviticus 14 54 Word analysis

• This (זֶה - zeh): This demonstrative pronoun directly points back to the preceding body of detailed laws given in Leviticus 13-14. It establishes that the complete set of instructions already provided constitutes the entirety of the specified law, leaving no room for variation.
• is the law (תּוֹרָה - torah): More than just a rule or regulation, torah encompasses teaching, instruction, and guidance, emanating directly from divine authority. Here, it signifies the authoritative and comprehensive nature of the priestly code regarding these specific skin afflictions. It is a revealed pattern for holy living, not a suggestion.
• for every (לְכֹל - l'khol): This prepositional phrase means "for all," "for every type of," or "concerning any." It emphasizes the universal application of these laws within the designated scope. All specific manifestations of tzara'at and associated conditions are covered by this one comprehensive legal framework.
• leprous disease (נֶגַע צָרַעַת - nega tzara'at):
  • נֶגַע (nega): Means "stroke," "plague," or "affliction," often implying a divinely sent mark or blight. It specifically denotes a "spot" or "patch" of disease, particularly on the skin.
  • צָרַעַת (tzara'at): This key term, commonly translated as "leprosy," is now understood by scholars to encompass a broad category of skin conditions beyond modern Hansen's disease, including various scaling diseases, rashes, or eruptions (e.g., psoriasis, ringworm). It carries significant ritual implications as it renders a person ritually unclean, leading to separation from the camp and temple worship. It was viewed as an outward manifestation of an inward spiritual state, often associated with impurity or judgment, and distinct from a purely medical diagnosis.
• and for a scab (וְלַסַּפַּחַת - u'l'saphachath):
  • וְ (u): The conjunctive "and," linking this specific condition to the broader "leprous disease" category.
  • סַפַּחַת (saphachath): This term refers to a spreading eruption, an eruptive spot, or scaling patch of the skin. It is detailed in Leviticus 13 alongside other skin conditions. While distinct from the core tzara'at itself, it is nevertheless an impurity covered under the overarching "law for every leprous disease." Its inclusion here underscores the meticulous detail and comprehensiveness of the Levitical purity laws, ensuring that various skin defilements were adequately addressed.

• "This is the law for every leprous disease": This phrase highlights the divine origin and complete authority of the statutes. It signifies that the instructions are not mere medical advice but God-given decrees to maintain holiness in His covenant community. The very breadth implied by "every" shows meticulous detail in ensuring communal purity.
• "and for a scab": The specific inclusion of "scab" (saphachath) or similar lesser skin afflictions alongside the broader "leprous disease" (tzara'at) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of these purity laws. No significant skin defilement that could render a person ritually unclean was overlooked; all were categorized and legislated for, reinforcing the absolute importance of purity in every aspect of life in God's presence.

Leviticus 14 54 Bonus section

The strict laws concerning tzara'at and other skin impurities, including the "scab," underscore the unique covenant relationship between God and Israel. The impurity caused by these conditions was contagious ritually, not necessarily medically, impacting the community's collective holiness if not properly managed. This highlights the concept that individual purity contributed to national holiness, vital for God's continued presence in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) in their midst. The detailed ritual of purification, particularly the use of specific birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop (Lev 14:4-7), was not merely symbolic; it provided a visible and tangible re-enactment of removal of the "living death" (separation) and restoration to life and fellowship, emphasizing that the priest's declaration was essential for the afflicted to re-enter society. These laws provided a vital framework for managing perceived impurity, demonstrating God's design for order, holiness, and a way back into His presence.

Leviticus 14 54 Commentary

Leviticus 14:54 serves as a declarative summary, definitively stating that the extensive protocols detailed in chapters 13 and 14 regarding tzara'at and related skin conditions constitute the full and unalterable divine "law." This is not a human suggestion but a comprehensive Torah, revealing God's absolute standard of holiness and purity for His covenant people. The detailed regulations were paramount not merely for public health, but for the spiritual integrity of the community and the sanctity of God's dwelling place. The careful differentiation between tzara'at and other skin blemishes, coupled with the rigorous purification rites, underlined the seriousness of anything that could defile or separate an individual from the holy presence of God and the communal fellowship of Israel. This law, while ceremonial for ancient Israel, powerfully illustrates biblical principles: the destructive nature of defilement (sin), God's meticulous care for His people's purity, and His gracious provision for cleansing and restoration, prefiguring the ultimate purification found in Christ.