Leviticus 14:53

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But he shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But he is to set the live bird free outside the city in an open field; thus will he make atonement for the house; and it will be clean.

Berean Standard Bible:

Finally, he is to release the live bird into the open fields outside the city. In this way he will make atonement for the house, and it will be clean.

American Standard Version:

but he shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open field: so shall he make atonement for the house; and it shall be clean.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But he shall let go^{H7971} the living^{H2416} bird^{H6833} out^{H2351} of the city^{H5892} into the open^{H6440} fields^{H7704}, and make an atonement^{H3722} for the house^{H1004}: and it shall be clean^{H2891}.

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Commentary for Leviticus 14:53

Leviticus 14:53 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that deals with the ritual for cleansing a house afflicted with "leprous disease" (often translated as a defiling mold or mildew). The historical context of this verse is the Israelite's wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt, where God gave Moses detailed laws and rituals to maintain the holiness and purity of the camp.

**Themes:**

1. **Ritual Purity and Cleanliness:** The passage emphasizes the importance of ritual purity in the Israelite community. The procedures outlined are meant to remove impurity from the household and restore it to a state of cleanness, allowing the inhabitants to participate fully in the religious and social life of the community.

2. **Atonement and Sacrifice:** The release of the living bird into the open fields symbolizes the removal of sin and impurity from the house. The bird carries away the defilement, illustrating the concept of atonement, where sin or impurity is transferred away from the people and their dwellings.

3. **Separation of Clean and Unclean:** The distinction between what is clean and unclean is a central theme in Levitical law. This separation ensures the holiness of the community and reflects the Israelites' special status as God's chosen people, who are called to be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45).

4. **Practical Health Measures:** While the primary concern of the text is spiritual purity, these rituals may also reflect practical health concerns, as the detailed inspection and cleaning of houses could help prevent the spread of actual diseases.

5. **The Role of Priests:** The involvement of priests in the inspection and cleansing process highlights their role as mediators between God and the people, responsible for maintaining the ritual purity of the community.

In summary, Leviticus 14:53 reflects the broader themes of the book, which include maintaining ritual purity, the process of atonement, the distinction between clean and unclean, and the role of priests in the religious life of the Israelites. These laws served both spiritual and practical purposes in the organization of ancient Israelite society.

*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: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2351
   There are 159 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חוּץ
   Transliteration: chûwts
   Pronunciation: khoots
   Description: or (shortened) חֻץ; (both forms feminine in the plural) from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors; abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5892
   There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִיר
   Transliteration: ʻîyr
   Pronunciation: eer
   Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7704
   There are 309 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂדֶה
   Transliteration: sâdeh
   Pronunciation: saw-deh'
   Description: or שָׂדַי; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat); country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3722
   There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּפַר
   Transliteration: kâphar
   Pronunciation: kaw-far'
   Description: a primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel; appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).
   
9. 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).
   
10. 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).