Leviticus 14:49

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

Complete Jewish Bible:

"To purify the house, he is to take two birds, cedar-wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop leaves.

Berean Standard Bible:

He is to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop to purify the house;

American Standard Version:

And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he shall take^{H3947} to cleanse^{H2398} the house^{H1004} two^{H8147} birds^{H6833}, and cedar^{H730} wood^{H6086}, and scarlet^{{H8144}{H8438}}, and hyssop^{H231}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 14:49

1. **Themes:**
- **Purification and Cleansing:** The verse pertains to the ritual cleansing of a house afflicted with a form of defilement, likely a skin disease described as leprosy in the biblical text, which could affect not only people but also their dwellings.
- **Use of Symbolic Elements:** The birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop are symbolic items used in the purification process, each potentially representing different aspects of life, death, and cleansing.
- **Ritual and Sacrifice:** The use of birds in the ritual reflects the sacrificial system in place for purification, where one bird is slaughtered over fresh water, and the other is set free, symbolizing the transfer of impurity and subsequent release from defilement.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Levitical Priesthood:** The instructions are given to the priests, particularly those of the Levitical order, who are responsible for overseeing religious rites and maintaining the ritual purity of the community.
- **Mosaic Law:** This passage is part of the Mosaic Law, which includes detailed instructions for worship, sacrifice, and daily living for the Israelite community in the wilderness, having recently been delivered from Egypt.
- **Life in the Wilderness:** The context is the period following the Exodus, when the Israelites were wandering in the Sinai Peninsula, receiving God's laws and preparing to enter the Promised Land.
- **Health and Hygiene:** The detailed purification laws also served a practical purpose in maintaining public health and hygiene within the Israelite camp, which was crucial for their survival in the harsh desert environment.

In summary, Leviticus 14:49 reflects the intricate system of purification rites prescribed by the Mosaic Law to maintain the ritual and physical well-being of the Israelite community, with the use of specific elements to ceremonially cleanse a house from defilement.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2398
   There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָטָא
   Transliteration: châṭâʼ
   Pronunciation: khaw-taw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn; bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1004
   There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּיִת
   Transliteration: bayith
   Pronunciation: bah'-yith
   Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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).
   
7. 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.
   
8. 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).
   
9. 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.
   
10. 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.