King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times:
Complete Jewish Bible:
He is to take the cedar-wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn and the live bird and dip them in the blood of the slaughtered bird and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then he shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn, and the live bird, dip them in the blood of the slaughtered bird and the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times.
American Standard Version:
and he shall take the cedar-wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he shall take{H3947} the cedar{H730} wood{H6086}, and the hyssop{H231}, and the scarlet{H8144}{H8438}, and the living{H2416} bird{H6833}, and dip{H2881} them in the blood{H1818} of the slain{H7819} bird{H6833}, and in the running{H2416} water{H4325}, and sprinkle{H5137} the house{H1004} seven{H7651} times{H6471}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 51:7
- ¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Leviticus 14:51
Leviticus 14:51 is part of a detailed set of instructions in the book of Leviticus concerning rituals for cleansing a person or a house affected by a skin disease, often translated as "leprosy" (though not necessarily the modern medical condition known by that name). The broader context of this verse is the ritual for purifying a house that has been afflicted with "leprous plagues" (Leviticus 14:34).
The themes of this verse include:
1. **Purification and Cleansing**: The ritual is designed to remove impurity and restore the house to a state of ritual purity, which is essential for the Israelites' religious life and communal well-being.
2. **Use of Symbolic Elements**: The cedar wood, hyssop, scarlet yarn, and a living bird are all symbolic items. Cedar wood is known for its durability and is often associated with permanence. Hyssop is a small plant and was used in various purification rites in the ancient Near East. The scarlet yarn represents sin and blood, which is a symbol of life and atonement. The living bird symbolizes new life or restoration.
3. **Blood and Water**: The use of blood in the ritual underscores the idea that life (symbolized by blood) is necessary for atonement and purification. The running water signifies cleansing and the renewal of life.
4. **Number Seven**: The number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection. Sprinkling the house seven times with the blood and water mixture indicates a thorough and complete cleansing.
Historical Context:
The book of Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses and is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. It contains laws and rituals given to the Israelites during their time in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. These laws were meant to govern the religious and social life of the Israelite community, including how to deal with various forms of impurity, such as skin diseases, bodily discharges, and mold in houses.
The rituals described in Leviticus 14 would have been carried out by the priests, who were responsible for maintaining the ritual purity of the community. The detailed procedures reflect the importance of holiness and purity in the Israelite religion, as well as the belief that spiritual and ritual defilement could have tangible effects on the community and its environment.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, such rituals were not unique to Israel; however, the specific elements and theological meanings attached to them in the Bible reflect the unique religious perspectives of the Israelites, particularly their understanding of God's holiness and the need for the people to mirror that holiness in their lives.
*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: 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: 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: 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. - 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: 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: 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: H2881
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טָבַל
Transliteration: ṭâbal
Pronunciation: taw-bal'
Description: a primitive root; to dip, to immerse; dip, plunge. - Strong's Number: H1818
There are 295 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּם
Transliteration: dâm
Pronunciation: dawm
Description: from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood); blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. - 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: 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)). - Strong's Number: H5137
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָזָה
Transliteration: nâzâh
Pronunciation: naw-zaw'
Description: a primitive root; to spirt, i.e. besprinkle (especially in expiation); sprinkle. - 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). - Strong's Number: H7651
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁבַע
Transliteration: shebaʻ
Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה. - Strong's Number: H6471
There are 108 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּעַם
Transliteration: paʻam
Pronunciation: pah'-am
Description: or (feminine) פַּעֲמָה; from פָּעַם; a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow); anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel.