Leviticus 14:13

KJV

And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering [is] the priest's, [so is] the trespass offering: it [is] most holy:

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall slay {H7819} the lamb {H3532} in the place {H4725} where he shall kill {H7819} the sin offering {H2403} and the burnt offering {H5930}, in the holy {H6944} place {H4725}: for as the sin offering {H2403} is the priest's {H3548}, so is the trespass offering {H817}: it is most {H6944} holy {H6944}:

Complete Jewish Bible

He is to slaughter the male lamb at the place in the sanctuary for slaughtering sin offerings and burnt offerings, because the guilt offering belongs to the cohen, just like the sin offering; it is especially holy.

Berean Standard Bible

Then he is to slaughter the lamb in the sanctuary area where the sin offering and burnt offering are slaughtered. Like the sin offering, the guilt offering belongs to the priest; it is most holy.

American Standard Version

and he shall kill the he-lamb in the place where they kill the sin-offering and the burnt-offering, in the place of the sanctuary: for as the sin-offering is the priest’s, so is the trespass-offering: it is most holy.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:13 details a pivotal moment in the purification ritual for an individual healed of `tzara'at`, specifying the precise location for the slaying of the lamb designated for the trespass offering and sin offering. This verse underscores the profound sanctity of these expiatory sacrifices, declaring them "most holy," and clarifies the priest's entitlement to a portion, thereby highlighting their essential role in atonement and the restoration of the cleansed individual to full communion with God and the community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14 provides comprehensive and meticulously detailed instructions for the purification of an individual healed from `tzara'at`, a severe and ritually defiling skin condition. The chapter is structured in two primary phases: the initial ceremony performed outside the camp on the day the priest declares the person clean (Leviticus 14:1-9), involving two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, followed by a seven-day waiting period. The second phase, described from [Leviticus 14:10-32](/leviticus/14-10-32 "Leviticus 14:10-32 - Offerings for Cleansing"), outlines the elaborate offerings to be presented on the eighth day at the Tabernacle entrance, marking the full reintegration of the cleansed person into the community and worship. These offerings include two male lambs, one ewe lamb, fine flour, and oil. Our verse, Leviticus 14:13, specifically focuses on the slaying of one of the male lambs, which serves as both the trespass offering (`asham`) and the sin offering (`chatta't`), emphasizing the sacred location and the priestly share, thereby linking this specific act to the broader sacrificial system outlined in earlier chapters of [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus - Laws and Sacrifices").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The purification rites for `tzara'at` were deeply embedded in the Israelite understanding of holiness, defilement, and communal life. `Tzara'at` was not merely a physical ailment but a state of profound ritual impurity that separated the afflicted individual from God's holy presence and from the communal life of Israel. This separation mirrored the consequences of sin, which also defiles and alienates. The detailed instructions in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing from Skin Diseases") reflect a society meticulously ordered around divine commands, where ritual purity was essential for maintaining the covenant relationship with Yahweh. The offerings, particularly the sin offering and trespass offering, were not just symbolic but were believed to effect genuine atonement and purification, allowing the individual to be declared clean by the priest and thus readmitted to the camp and the Tabernacle worship. The priest's entitlement to a portion of these "most holy" offerings, as mentioned in [Leviticus 7:6](/leviticus/7-6 "Leviticus 7:6 - Priest's Portion of the Most Holy Offerings"), was a divine provision for their sustenance, underscoring their sacred role as mediators and guardians of God's holiness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, and the broader `tzara'at` ritual, contribute to several overarching themes in Leviticus. Firstly, the theme of **Holiness and Purity** is paramount, emphasizing God's absolute holiness and the necessity for His people to maintain ritual purity to dwell in His presence. Secondly, the theme of **Atonement and Reconciliation** is central, as the sin and trespass offerings provide a divinely ordained means for dealing with defilement and restoring fellowship with God. Thirdly, the **Role of the Priesthood** is highlighted, as priests are the divinely appointed mediators who perform these sacred rites and receive portions of the offerings, underscoring their unique position in facilitating Israel's worship and maintaining covenant fidelity. Finally, the ritual illustrates the theme of **Exclusion and Reintegration**, demonstrating how God provides a pathway for those separated by impurity to be restored to the community and the divine presence. The meticulous nature of the instructions, such as those for the sin offering in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - The Sin Offering") and the trespass offering in [Leviticus 5](/leviticus/5 "Leviticus 5 - The Trespass Offering"), underscores the gravity of these themes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slay (Hebrew, _shâchaṭ'_ H7819):** From a primitive root meaning "to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)." In this context, it refers specifically to the ritual killing of the sacrificial animal. This term emphasizes that the act is not mere butchery but a divinely prescribed act of sacrifice, a solemn and intentional shedding of blood for atonement.
* **Sin Offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_ H2403):** From the root meaning "to miss the mark" or "to sin." This term refers to a specific type of sacrifice offered for unintentional sins, purifications, or expiations. It addresses the defilement caused by sin, restoring ritual purity and fellowship. Its inclusion here signifies that `tzara'at` was associated with a state of impurity requiring expiation.
* **Holy (Hebrew, _qôdesh'_ H6944):** From the root meaning "to be set apart" or "consecrated." This word appears multiple times in the verse, referring to the "holy place" and the offerings being "most holy." It denotes a state of sacredness, separation for divine use, and purity. Its repetition emphasizes the extreme sanctity of the ritual and the offerings, signifying their direct connection to God's own holiness and their efficacy in mediating His presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall slay the lamb":** This refers to the priest (or the person bringing the offering under priestly supervision, though the priest typically performed the slaying for sin and trespass offerings). The lamb is one of the two male lambs brought as part of the purification ritual for the cleansed individual, specifically designated for the combined sin and trespass offering (Leviticus 14:10). This act initiates the expiatory phase of the ritual.
* **"in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place":** This clause specifies the precise, consecrated location for the sacrifice. This refers to the northern side of the altar of burnt offering within the Tabernacle courtyard, the same designated area for other major expiatory and dedicatory sacrifices (cf. [Leviticus 1:11](/leviticus/1-11 "Leviticus 1:11 - Location for Burnt Offerings") for burnt offerings, [Leviticus 4:24](/leviticus/4-24 "Leviticus 4:24 - Location for Sin Offerings") for sin offerings). This reinforces the gravity and standard procedure for these vital offerings, linking the `tzara'at` purification to the broader, divinely ordained sacrificial system and emphasizing the sacredness of the space.
* **"for as the sin offering [is] the priest's, [so is] the trespass offering: it [is] most holy":** This final clause clarifies the priestly entitlement to the meat of these specific offerings. Unlike burnt offerings, which were entirely consumed on the altar, portions of the sin offering and trespass offering were given to the priests for their sustenance, as a divine provision for their sacred service. The declaration "it is most holy" (literally, "holiness of holinesses") reiterates the supreme sacredness of these offerings, justifying the strict rules for their handling and consumption, and emphasizing their profound efficacy in atonement and purification, which directly benefits the one cleansed and sustains the one mediating.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:13 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological meaning and practical instruction. The device of **Repetition** is evident in the emphasis on "holy place" and the declaration "most holy," which serves to underscore the extreme sanctity of the sacrificial act and the offerings themselves, reinforcing the reverence and precision required in approaching God. The text also utilizes **Legal Language** and **Prescriptive Instruction**, characteristic of the Levitical code, to ensure precise adherence to divine commands, leaving no room for ambiguity in the ritual performance. The **Juxtaposition** of the sin offering and trespass offering, both declared "most holy" and designated for the priest, highlights their shared expiatory nature and their critical role in dealing with defilement and transgression. Furthermore, the entire ritual, including this verse, functions as **Symbolism**, where the physical act of sacrifice and purification points to deeper spiritual realities of sin, atonement, and restoration to fellowship with a holy God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 14:13, embedded within the intricate `tzara'at` purification ritual, profoundly illuminates God's meticulous concern for holiness and His gracious provision for atonement. The "most holy" nature of the sin and trespass offerings underscores the gravity of sin and defilement, which necessitated a divine, sacred means of reconciliation. These offerings, consumed by the priests in the holy place, signify God's acceptance of the sacrifice and His gracious provision for cleansing, allowing the defiled to be restored to His presence and the community. This system, while temporary and typological, consistently points to the universal human need for a perfect sacrifice to bridge the infinite gap between a holy God and sinful humanity, a theme that reverberates throughout redemptive history.

* [Leviticus 6:25-26](/leviticus/6-25-26 "Leviticus 6:25-26 - Law of the Sin Offering")
* [Numbers 18:9-10](/numbers/18-9-10 "Numbers 18:9-10 - Priests' Share of Offerings")
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Inadequacy of Old Covenant Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous details of Leviticus 14:13, concerning the slaying of the lamb in the holy place and the "most holy" nature of the sin and trespass offerings, call us to a profound appreciation for God's unblemished holiness and His unwavering commitment to providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to Him. While we no longer perform these Old Testament rituals, the timeless principles they embody remain profoundly relevant. They serve as a stark reminder that sin is not trivial; it creates a genuine and serious separation from God, requiring a costly and divinely appointed remedy. The designated "holy place" and the "most holy" status of the offerings teach us that reconciliation with God is not a casual matter but one of utmost sacredness, demanding a divinely ordained means. This verse invites us to reflect deeply on the seriousness with which God views sin and the incredible, abounding grace He extends through the provision of atonement, a grace ultimately and perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on the "holy place" and "most holy" offerings in Leviticus 14:13 deepen your understanding of God's character and the pervasive nature of sin?**
* **In what ways does this verse highlight the importance of divine provision and the indispensable role of mediation in our relationship with a holy God?**
* **How can the principles of meticulous obedience and the sacredness of atonement, as vividly portrayed in this ancient ritual, inform and enrich our approach to worship and personal holiness today?**

### FAQ

**What was `tzara'at` and why was its purification ritual so elaborate?**

Answer: `Tzara'at` was a severe and highly contagious skin condition, often translated as "leprosy," but it encompassed a broader range of afflictions, including mildew on houses and garments, as meticulously described in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing from Skin Diseases"). It was not merely a physical disease but carried profound ritual impurity, symbolizing the defilement of sin and its alienating effects. Its elaborate purification ritual underscored the seriousness of defilement in a holy community and the meticulous process required by a holy God for restoration and reintegration. The extensive steps, including multiple offerings and periods of isolation, emphasized the gravity of the condition and the divine provision for cleansing to restore the individual to full covenant fellowship and access to the Tabernacle.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:13, with its focus on the "most holy" sin and trespass offerings for the purification of `tzara'at`, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The lamb slain "in the holy place" foreshadows the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who was sacrificed not in an earthly tabernacle, but outside the city gates, yet His sacrifice was offered in the ultimate "holy place" of God's presence, to take away the sin of the world. The temporary and repeated nature of the Old Testament sacrifices, including those for `tzara'at`, could only provide ritual cleansing and a temporary covering for sin, as [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inability of Animal Sacrifices") unequivocally states, "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." However, Christ's singular, perfect sacrifice, offered "once for all" (as seen in [Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")), provides complete and eternal purification from the defilement of sin, which `tzara'at` powerfully symbolized. He is our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), who not only offers the sacrifice but *is* the sacrifice, making us truly "most holy" in God's sight through His precious blood, thereby granting us full and confident access to the divine presence, a reality far surpassing the limited access granted by the Tabernacle rituals (cf. [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 1:11

And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar.

Exodus 29:11

And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, [by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Leviticus 4:24

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD: it [is] a sin offering.

Leviticus 2:3

And the remnant of the meat offering [shall be] Aaron's and his sons': [it is] a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.

Leviticus 7:6

Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it [is] most holy.

Leviticus 7:7

As the sin offering [is], so [is] the trespass offering: [there is] one law for them: the priest that maketh atonement therewith shall have [it].

Leviticus 4:4

And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.