King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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:
Complete Jewish Bible:
then the cohen will order that two living clean birds be taken for the one to be purified, along with cedar-wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop leaves.
Berean Standard Bible:
the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed.
American Standard Version:
then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two living clean birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Then shall the priest{H3548} command{H6680} to take{H3947} for him that is to be cleansed{H2891} two{H8147} birds{H6833} alive{H2416} and clean{H2889}, and cedar{H730} wood{H6086}, and scarlet{H8144}{H8438}, and hyssop{H231}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 19:6
- And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast [it] into the midst of the burning of the heifer.
Leviticus 14:6
- 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:
Hebrews 9:19
- For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Psalms 51:7
- ¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Exodus 12:22
- And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip [it] in the blood that [is] in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that [is] in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
Leviticus 12:8
- And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
Leviticus 14:49
- And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Leviticus 14:4
Leviticus 14:4 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that deals with the ceremonial cleansing of individuals who have been healed from skin diseases, often referred to as leprosy in biblical times. The historical context of this verse is the Israelite's wilderness wanderings after the Exodus from Egypt, during which God gave Moses various laws, including those pertaining to ritual purity and cleansing.
The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Ritual Purity and Cleansing**: The verse outlines the procedures for restoring ritual purity to someone who has been ritually impure due to a skin disease. The cleansing process is detailed and symbolic, emphasizing the importance of purity in the religious life of the Israelites.
2. **Sacrifice and Atonement**: The use of birds for cleansing reflects the broader theme of sacrifice in Leviticus. One bird is slaughtered over fresh water as a sin offering, while the other is used to sprinkle the blood and water mixture on the person being cleansed.
3. **Symbolism**: The elements used in the cleansing ritual—cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop—have symbolic significance that is not fully explained in the text. Cedar wood is known for its durability and was used in the construction of the Tabernacle, possibly symbolizing enduring life. Scarlet could represent lifeblood or sin. Hyssop was a small plant used in various purification rites, possibly symbolizing humility and the need for God's mercy.
4. **Medicinal Practices**: The use of hyssop may also reflect the medicinal knowledge of the time, as hyssop has antiseptic properties. This aligns with the practical health measures that are interwoven with religious practices in Levitical law.
5. **God's Holiness**: The detailed instructions for cleansing underscore the theme of God's holiness and the need for His people to be holy as well. The rituals served to remind the Israelites of their distinction as God's chosen people and the necessity of maintaining a state of purity before Him.
6. **Community Reintegration**: The cleansing process also served as a means to reintegrate individuals back into the community. Once declared clean, the individual could resume normal social and religious activities, which was crucial for communal life and worship.
In summary, Leviticus 14:4 reflects the intricate system of ritual purity and cleansing in ancient Israel, emphasizing the importance of following detailed ceremonial laws to maintain a state of holiness and right relationship with God and the community.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - Strong's Number: H6680
There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָוָה
Transliteration: tsâvâh
Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order. - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H2891
There are 79 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טָהֵר
Transliteration: ṭâhêr
Pronunciation: taw-hare'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to be bright; i.e. (by implication); to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy); be (make, make self, pronounce) clean, cleanse (self), purge, purify(-ier, self). - Strong's Number: H8147
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
Transliteration: shᵉnayim
Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. - Strong's Number: H6833
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צִפּוֹר
Transliteration: tsippôwr
Pronunciation: tsip-pore'
Description: or צִפֹּר; from צָפַר; a little bird (as hopping); bird, fowl, sparrow. - Strong's Number: H2416
There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַי
Transliteration: chay
Pronunciation: khah'-ee
Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. - Strong's Number: H2889
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טָהוֹר
Transliteration: ṭâhôwr
Pronunciation: taw-hore'
Description: or טָהֹר; from טָהֵר; pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense); clean, fair, pure(-ness). - Strong's Number: H730
There are 466 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶז
Transliteration: ʼerez
Pronunciation: eh-rez'
Description: from אָרַז; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots); cedar (tree). - Strong's Number: H6086
There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵץ
Transliteration: ʻêts
Pronunciation: ates
Description: from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. - Strong's Number: H8144
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנִי
Transliteration: shânîy
Pronunciation: shaw-nee'
Description: of uncertain derivation; crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it; crimson, scarlet (thread). - Strong's Number: H8438
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תּוֹלָע
Transliteration: tôwlâʻ
Pronunciation: to-law'
Description: and (feminine) תּוֹלֵעָה; or תּוֹלַעַת; or תֹּלַעַת; from יָלַע; a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of שָׁנִי); the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the colorfrom it, and cloths dyed therewith; crimson, scarlet, worm. - Strong's Number: H231
There are 111 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵזוֹב
Transliteration: ʼêzôwb
Pronunciation: ay-zobe'
Description: probably of foreign derivation; hyssop; hyssop.