Leviticus 14 6

Leviticus 14:6 kjv

As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:

Leviticus 14:6 nkjv

As for the living bird, he shall take it, the cedar wood and the scarlet and the hyssop, and dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water.

Leviticus 14:6 niv

He is then to take the live bird and dip it, together with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, into the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water.

Leviticus 14:6 esv

He shall take the live bird with the cedarwood and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water.

Leviticus 14:6 nlt

He will take the live bird, the cedar stick, the scarlet yarn, and the hyssop branch, and dip them into the blood of the bird that was slaughtered over the fresh water.

Leviticus 14 verses

Leviticus 14 6 Meaning

Leviticus 14:6 describes a crucial step in the purification ritual for a person healed of defiling skin disease, often referred to as leprosy. This verse details the taking of a living bird, cedar wood, scarlet material, and hyssop. These elements are then dipped, along with the living bird, into the blood of the other bird that had been previously killed over running water. This act symbolizes both atonement for sin and a spiritual cleansing, marking a transition from ritual impurity and separation to a state of purity and restoration, enabling the individual to re-enter the community and God's presence. It represents a process of substitutionary death leading to a released, new life.

Leviticus 14 6 Context

Leviticus chapter 14 outlines the elaborate two-part ritual for the purification of a person healed from a severe skin disease, often translated as leprosy. This disease rendered an individual ritually unclean, leading to their expulsion from the Israelite camp and community, thus separating them from both society and the tabernacle, where God's presence dwelt. The ritual detailed in verses 1-8 addresses the initial cleansing that permits readmission to the camp, but not yet full access to worship. Verse 6 specifically focuses on the symbolic elements and actions taken after one bird is sacrificed, crucial for the ceremonial purification. This meticulous process underscores the severity of sin and uncleanness in the eyes of God, the absolute necessity of blood atonement, and the divine provision for restoration and reintegration into the covenant community. Historically, defiling skin diseases were seen not just as physical ailments but as signs of profound impurity, sometimes linked to sin (e.g., Miriam's leprosy in Num 12). The ritual, therefore, served to visibly cleanse and reintegrate, reinforcing Israel's unique status as a holy nation dedicated to Yahweh, distinctly different from pagan societies that often practiced superficial or superstitious purification rites without genuine understanding of moral and spiritual purity.

Leviticus 14 6 Word analysis

• As for the living bird (וְהַצִּפֹּר֙ הַֽחַיָּ֔ה֙, v'hatsippōr hakhayyah):
  • וְהַצִּפֹּר: "And the bird." Refers to the second of two clean birds brought for the ritual.
  • הַֽחַיָּ֔ה: "The living/alive." Emphasizes its state of being, in contrast to the first bird that was killed. Symbolizes life, freedom, and the restored state of the cleansed person. Its release later signifies liberation from defilement and isolation.
• he shall take it (יִקַּ֤ח אֹתָהּ֙):
  • יִקַּ֤ח: "He shall take/receive." Refers to the priest, highlighting his active role as the divinely appointed mediator for purification.
  • אֹתָהּ֙: "It/her." Referring to the living bird.
• and the cedar wood (וְעֵ֣ץ אֶ֔רֶז, v'ets ’erez):
  • וְעֵ֣ץ: "And wood."
  • אֶ֔רֶז: "Cedar." Cedar of Lebanon, known for its durability, beauty, and resistance to decay. It symbolized strength, purification, and permanency, and was used in the construction of the Temple (1 Kgs 5). In purification rites, it could symbolize the restoration of a healthy, robust, and permanent state, contrasting with the decaying effects of disease.
• and the scarlet (וּשְׁנִ֣י תוֹלַ֗עַת, u-shni tola'at):
  • וּשְׁנִ֣י: "And scarlet/crimson."
  • תוֹלַ֗עַת: "Worm." Specifically, a crimson worm (cochenille) that produces red dye. The color scarlet/crimson (similar to blood) is rich and striking. It could symbolize the intensity of the disease's defilement, the shedding of blood (life for life/atonement), or vitality. In Isaiah 1:18, scarlet represents sin that can be made white, connecting it to atonement and forgiveness.
• and the hyssop (וְאֵזֹ֑וב, v'ezov):
  • וְאֵזֹ֑וב: "And hyssop." A small plant with branches often used for sprinkling water or blood. It was used in Passover (Exod 12:22) for applying blood and in the red heifer ashes ritual (Num 19:6,18) for purification. Symbolizes spiritual cleansing and purging, especially mentioned in Psalm 51:7 (Ps 51:9 MT) for purification from sin. It signifies cleansing down to the root, simple and available.
• and shall dip them and the living bird (וְטָבַ֨ל אֹתָ֜ם וְאֵ֣ת הַצִּפֹּ֣ר הַֽחַיָּ֗ה, v'taval otam v'et hatsippor hakhayyah):
  • וְטָבַ֨ל: "And he shall dip." Implies complete immersion, signifying total absorption of the sacrificial blood's efficacy.
  • אֹתָ֜ם: "Them." Refers to the cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop.
  • וְאֵ֣ת הַצִּפֹּ֣ר הַֽחַיָּ֗ה: "And the living bird." This phrase emphasizes that the living bird is also immersed, signifying its symbolic connection to the cleansing power of the blood, before its release.
• in the blood of the bird that was killed (בְּדַם֙ הַצִּפֹּ֣ר הַשְּׁחֻטָ֔ה, b’dam hatsippōr hash’chutah):
  • בְּדַם֙: "In the blood of." Blood is consistently presented in the Bible as the carrier of life and the means of atonement (Lev 17:11). The sacrifice of one life enables the cleansing and symbolic new life of another.
  • הַצִּפֹּ֣ר הַשְּׁחֻטָ֔ה: "The bird that was killed/slaughtered." The term emphasizes the violent and specific act of sacrifice. Its death makes the purification of the leper possible.
• over the running water (עַל־מַ֥יִם חַיִּֽים, ‘al-mayim khayyîm):
  • עַל־: "Over/upon."
  • מַ֥יִם חַיִּֽים: "Living water." This refers to fresh, flowing water, such as spring water, as opposed to stagnant or drawn water. Symbolizes purity, vitality, refreshment, and continuity, suggesting a dynamic, spiritual renewal. It's connected to spiritual life in the New Testament (John 4:10).

Leviticus 14 6 Bonus section

The ritual of the two birds in Leviticus 14 bears a strong conceptual parallel to the two goats on the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16. In both cases, one creature is sacrificed for atonement, and the other carries away the defilement (or receives the blessing of cleansing/freedom), representing both propitiation (turning away God's wrath through sacrifice) and expiation (the removal of sin). This two-fold act visually communicated the full scope of God's provision for dealing with sin and uncleanness in the Israelite community, pointing forward to Christ who is both the atoning sacrifice (His blood) and the one who removes our sins from us (His resurrection and ascension). The use of the "cedar wood" also hints at creation and strength, echoing its presence in God's creative order and His temple. The precision of each component in this ceremony underscores God's meticulous nature in defining holiness and purification.

Leviticus 14 6 Commentary

Leviticus 14:6 presents a profoundly symbolic moment within the ritual for cleansing the defiled leper. The core of this verse lies in the transfer of efficacy from the sacrificed bird's blood to the various purifying elements and, most importantly, to the living bird that would subsequently be released. The selection of cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop is intentional. Cedar speaks of enduring strength and a new, healthy foundation; scarlet symbolizes either the depth of sin needing atonement or the vibrant life-blood necessary for cleansing; and hyssop points to purification and humility in the cleansing process. Dipping these items, along with the living bird, into the freshly shed blood over running water signifies a complete absorption of the sacrificial act. The blood represents life offered for life, emphasizing substitutionary atonement—one bird's death provides the means for the other bird's, and the leper's, release and renewed life. "Living water" underscores a dynamic, natural, and spiritual cleansing, not a superficial act. This ritual foreshadows the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, whose precious blood cleanses perfectly and provides not just ceremonial purity, but true spiritual freedom and reconciliation with God. The leper's purification and reintegration foreshadow the believer's redemption and fellowship in the body of Christ.