King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:
Complete Jewish Bible:
The cohen is to order one of the birds slaughtered in a clay pot over running water.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then the priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot.
American Standard Version:
and the priest shall command to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the priest{H3548} shall command{H6680} that one{H259} of the birds{H6833} be killed{H7819} in an earthen{H2789} vessel{H3627} over running{H2416} water{H4325}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Hebrews 2:14
- ¶ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Leviticus 14:50
- And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:
2 Corinthians 5:1
- ¶ For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Numbers 5:17
- And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put [it] into the water:
2 Corinthians 4:7
- But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2 Corinthians 13:4
- For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
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Commentary for Leviticus 14:5
Leviticus 14:5 is a part of the instructions given to the Israelites for the purification of a person who has been healed from a skin disease, traditionally translated as leprosy. The broader context is the set of laws and rituals outlined in the book of Leviticus, which aim to maintain the ritual purity and holiness of the Israelite community in the presence of God.
Themes:
1. **Purity and Holiness**: The ritual underscores the importance of purity in the Israelite community, especially for those re-entering society after being isolated due to a contagious skin disease.
2. **Sacrifice and Atonement**: The killing of the bird symbolizes the substitutionary sacrifice, where the life of the bird is given to atone for the impurity of the individual.
3. **Ritual Precision**: The specific instructions, such as using an earthen vessel and running water, highlight the meticulous nature of the rituals prescribed by God through Moses.
4. **Health and Community**: The ceremony emphasizes the reincorporation of the healed individual back into the community, which is vital for the cohesion and well-being of the society.
Historical Context:
The book of Leviticus is traditionally ascribed to Moses and is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. It was likely written during the time of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness, after their exodus from Egypt, which is dated to around the 13th century BCE by those who hold to the early Exodus theory. The laws and rituals detailed in Leviticus were intended to guide the religious and social life of the Israelites as they formed a covenant community with God at the center.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, rituals involving birds were not uncommon. Birds could be used for purification purposes, and the use of running water symbolizes cleansing and the flow of life, which is a recurring theme in many ancient religions. The earthen vessel may represent the temporary and fragile nature of human life and the need for purification.
The verse reflects the broader ancient Israelite understanding of disease and purity, where ritual impurity was not necessarily equated with sin but required specific acts to restore the individual to a state of ritual purity, allowing them to participate fully in the life of the community and the worship of God.
*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: H259
There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶחָד
Transliteration: ʼechâd
Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, - 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: H7819
There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁחַט
Transliteration: shâchaṭ
Pronunciation: shaw-khat'
Description: a primitive root; to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre); kill, offer, shoot out, slay, slaughter. - Strong's Number: H2789
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֶרֶשׂ
Transliteration: cheres
Pronunciation: kheh'-res
Description: a collateral form mediating between חֶרֶס and חֶרֶשׁ; a piece of pottery; earth(-en), (pot-) sherd, [phrase] stone. - Strong's Number: H3627
There are 276 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּלִי
Transliteration: kᵉlîy
Pronunciation: kel-ee'
Description: from כָּלָה; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon); armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. - 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: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).