What number verse is Leviticus 14:35 in the Bible?

Leviticus 14:35 is the 3,147th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Leviticus 14:35 sits at position 3,147.

14:3414:34

Leviticus 14:35

Q: What exactly was the "plague" in the house described in Leviticus 14?

The Hebrew word used is negaʻ' (נֶגַע, H5061), which refers to a spreading defilement. While often translated as "leprosy," in the context of houses, it is widely understood by scholars to refer to a virulent form of mold, mildew, or a fungal growth that would spread across the walls or structure of a dwelling. This was not merely a physical nuisance but carried significant ritual impurity, rendering the house and potentially its inhabitants unclean. The specific nature of the growth meant it was considered a "plague" because it was pervasive and required divine intervention through the priestly system for its removal or purification, as detailed in Leviticus 14:34-47.

14:3614:36

Translation

King James Version

And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house:

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KJV (with Strong's)

And he that owneth the house ^H1004 shall come ^H935 and tell ^H5046 the priest ^H3548, saying ^H559, It seemeth ^H7200 to me there is as it were a plague ^H5061 in the house ^H1004:

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Complete Jewish Bible

then the owner of the house is to come and tell the cohen, 'It seems to me that there may be an infection in the house.'

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Berean Standard Bible

the owner of the house shall come and tell the priest, ‘Something like mildew has appeared in my house.’

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American Standard Version

then he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, There seemeth to me to be as it were a plague in the house.

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World English Bible Messianic

then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, ‘There seems to me to be some sort of plague in the house.’

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Geneva Bible (1599)

Then he that oweth the house, shall come and tell the Priest, saying, Me thinke there is like a plague of leprosie in the house.

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Young's Literal Translation

then hath he whose the house is come in and declared to the priest, saying, As a plague hath appeared to me in the house;

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Leviticus 14:35 initiates the precise protocol for addressing suspected defilement within a house in ancient Israel, mandating that the homeowner promptly report any signs of a "plague"—likely a virulent mold or mildew—to the priest. This verse underscores the Mosaic Law's meticulous concern for ritual purity, public health, and the designated role of the priesthood in maintaining the sanctity of the community and its dwellings, reflecting God's comprehensive oversight of His people's lives and their environment.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Leviticus 14:35 is strategically placed within the broader legislative framework of Leviticus 13-14, which comprehensively details laws concerning various forms of ritual impurity. These chapters primarily focus on "leprous diseases" affecting individuals and garments, culminating in the unique case of "leprosy in a house." The preceding verses, specifically Leviticus 14:33-34, introduce the divine origin of such a "plague," stating that the Lord would "put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession." This divine agency suggests the plague could serve as a judgment, a test, or a means to prompt reliance on God's prescribed order for holiness. Following the homeowner's report in verse 35, the subsequent verses (Leviticus 14:36-53) meticulously outline the elaborate priestly procedures for inspection, quarantine, re-inspection, demolition if necessary, and subsequent purification rituals. This structured sequence emphasizes the gravity of such defilement and the comprehensive nature of God's law for maintaining a holy community.
Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, purity was not merely a ceremonial or abstract concept but a foundational principle deeply interwoven with their covenant relationship with Yahweh. Holiness permeated every aspect of daily life, including personal conduct, diet, and the condition of one's dwelling. The "plague" in a house, commonly understood as a severe form of mold, mildew, or fungal growth, was far more than a physical nuisance; it was a potent symbol of ritual impurity that rendered a dwelling and its inhabitants unclean, thereby hindering their ability to worship God and fully participate in communal life. The land of Canaan, soon to be inherited by Israel, was considered holy, and therefore, its dwellings needed to reflect this sanctity. The priest's role was crucial, acting not only as a spiritual mediator but also effectively as a public health official, tasked with discerning between clean and unclean, preventing the spread of defilement, and administering the prescribed rituals for purification or removal. The homeowner's immediate reporting, as mandated in Leviticus 14:35, highlights a communal responsibility to uphold God's standards and maintain the sanctity of the entire community, distinguishing Israel from surrounding pagan nations who often lacked such comprehensive sanitary and spiritual codes.
Key Themes: Leviticus 14:35 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of Holiness, emphasizing God's absolute demand for purity in all aspects of life, extending even to the physical environment of His people. This passage exemplifies Divine Authority and Oversight, demonstrating that God's law governs not only moral and ritual conduct but also the very physical spaces where His people dwell, indicating His meticulous concern for their well-being and sanctification. The verse also highlights Communal Responsibility, as the homeowner's immediate report is essential for the collective purity and health of the Israelite community, reinforcing the idea that individual actions impact corporate holiness. Finally, the role of the priest underscores the theme of Mediation and Discernment, as the priesthood is divinely appointed to distinguish between clean and unclean and to administer the processes necessary for restoration and purification, a role central to maintaining the covenant relationship with God, as seen throughout Leviticus.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

House (Hebrew, bayith', H1004): The Hebrew word בַּיִת (H1004, bayith') refers to a physical dwelling or structure, but its meaning extends broadly to encompass the domestic sphere, the family unit, and even the lineage. In the context of Leviticus 14, the "house" is not merely bricks and mortar but represents the sanctity of the Israelite home, which, if defiled, implicates the purity of the family residing within it and, by extension, the broader community. The meticulous laws concerning bayith' underscore God's concern for the holiness of everyday life and the environment in which His people lived, reflecting His desire for holiness to permeate all aspects of their existence.
Tell (Hebrew, nâgad', H5046): The Hebrew word נָגַד (H5046, nâgad') means "to front," "to stand boldly out opposite," and by implication, "to manifest" or "to announce." It consistently implies a verbal declaration, often to one present, signifying a clear, straightforward report or exposition. In Leviticus 14:35, the homeowner is commanded to "tell" or "declare" to the priest, emphasizing the mandatory, open, and direct communication required. This is not a casual mention but a formal notification, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the necessity of immediate, transparent disclosure to the proper authority.
Priest (Hebrew, kôhên', H3548): The Hebrew word כָּהֵן (H3548, kôhên') refers to one officiating, specifically a priest. In ancient Israel, the priest was a divinely appointed mediator between God and His people, responsible for administering the sacrificial system, teaching the Law, and discerning between clean and unclean. In Leviticus 14, the kôhên' is the central figure in the purification process for houses, possessing the unique authority and knowledge to inspect the "plague," make a definitive diagnosis, and prescribe the necessary rituals for cleansing or demolition. The homeowner's immediate reporting to the kôhên' underscores the priest's indispensable role as the arbiter of purity and the guardian of the community's holiness.
Plague (Hebrew, negaʻ', H5061): The Hebrew word נֶגַע (H5061, negaʻ') literally means "a blow" or "infliction," but in the context of Leviticus 13-14, it specifically denotes a divinely sent or permitted "mark," "spot," or "spreading defilement" that renders a person, garment, or house ritually unclean. For houses, as in Leviticus 14:34, it refers to a pervasive, often spreading, growth like mold, mildew, or a fungal infection that signifies ritual impurity. It is not merely a physical problem but a spiritual one, requiring priestly intervention and strict adherence to God's purification laws. The use of negaʻ' emphasizes the seriousness of the defilement and its potential to corrupt the holiness of the community.

Verse Breakdown

"And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest,": This clause establishes the immediate and personal responsibility of the homeowner. Upon discovering what appears to be a "plague," the owner is not to conceal it, ignore it, or attempt to resolve it independently. Instead, the first and mandatory action is to present the issue to the designated religious authority—the priest. This highlights the priest's central role as the arbiter of purity and impurity, and the community's reliance on divine instruction mediated through the priesthood. It also emphasizes transparency and accountability within the covenant community, demonstrating the seriousness with which defilement was viewed.
"saying, It seemeth to me [there is] as it were a plague in the house:": This part of the verse conveys the homeowner's initial assessment. The phrasing "It seemeth to me [there is] as it were a plague" (literally, "like a plague it is to me in the house") indicates that the homeowner is not making a definitive diagnosis but rather reporting a suspicion or an observation that resembles the described defilement. It is a preliminary report, deferring the ultimate discernment and judgment to the priest, who possesses the divine authority and knowledge of the law to make the final determination. This nuance underscores the homeowner's humility, submission to priestly authority, and adherence to God's prescribed order for maintaining holiness.

Literary Devices

Leviticus 14:35 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. Legal Language is paramount, as the verse is an integral part of a detailed set of instructions within the Mosaic Law, characterized by its precise and prescriptive phrasing delineating responsibility and action. The imperative "shall come and tell" functions as a direct command, emphasizing the mandatory nature of the homeowner's duty. Furthermore, Symbolism is deeply embedded in the concept of the "plague in the house." While physically referring to a virulent growth like mold or mildew, it powerfully symbolizes ritual impurity and defilement that stands in stark opposition to God's holiness. The spreading nature of the "plague" can be understood as a Metaphor for the insidious nature of sin or spiritual defilement, which, if left unchecked, can spread and corrupt an entire dwelling or community. The meticulousness of the law itself, even down to the reporting of a suspected growth, serves as a Didactic tool, teaching the Israelites about God's comprehensive concern for holiness, order, and purity in all aspects of their lives, from the personal to the communal.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Leviticus 14:35, though seemingly focused on mundane household issues, profoundly illustrates several core theological principles of the Old Covenant. It underscores God's absolute demand for holiness and purity, not just in the tabernacle or in personal conduct, but extending to the very dwellings of His people. The "plague" in the house was a tangible manifestation of defilement that could compromise the community's ability to dwell in God's presence and reflect His character. This passage highlights the divine oversight and guidance in every facet of Israelite life, demonstrating God's meticulous involvement in their well-being and His desire for an ordered, sanctified existence. Moreover, it emphasizes the indispensable role of the priesthood as divinely appointed mediators and discerners, authorized to distinguish between clean and unclean, and to administer the laws that maintained the covenant relationship. Finally, the homeowner's responsibility to report the defilement speaks volumes about communal accountability and transparency in upholding God's standards, recognizing that individual purity contributes to corporate holiness.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While the specific ceremonial laws regarding house plagues are part of the Old Covenant and are not directly binding on believers today, the underlying spiritual principles of Leviticus 14:35 remain profoundly relevant. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of God's pervasive concern for holiness in every area of our lives. Just as a physical "plague" could defile a dwelling, so too can spiritual "plagues"—such as unconfessed sin, bitterness, idolatry, or unrighteousness—insidiously corrupt our "houses," whether our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, our homes as centers of Christian witness, or our churches as communities of faith. The homeowner's prompt and transparent reporting to the priest teaches us the vital importance of acknowledging and confessing sin without delay, seeking spiritual guidance from trusted leaders, and actively pursuing purification. God desires that our lives and environments reflect His holiness, free from anything that would hinder our fellowship with Him or compromise our witness to the world. This passage calls us to a vigilant self-examination and a proactive pursuit of purity, trusting in God's provision for cleansing and restoration, knowing that true spiritual health begins with honest self-assessment and humble submission to divine truth.

Questions for Reflection

What "plagues" or areas of spiritual defilement might be present in my "house" (my personal life, my home, my relationships) that I need to acknowledge and address?
Am I quick to confess sin and seek spiritual counsel from godly leaders, or do I tend to hide or ignore issues that compromise my walk with God?
How does the principle of communal responsibility in Leviticus 14:35 apply to the church today, and what is my role in maintaining the purity and health of the body of Christ?
In what ways can I proactively cultivate a holy environment in my daily life, reflecting God's desire for purity in all things, both physically and spiritually?

FAQ

What exactly was the "plague" in the house described in Leviticus 14?

Answer: The Hebrew word used is negaʻ' (נֶגַע, H5061), which refers to a spreading defilement. While often translated as "leprosy," in the context of houses, it is widely understood by scholars to refer to a virulent form of mold, mildew, or a fungal growth that would spread across the walls or structure of a dwelling. This was not merely a physical nuisance but carried significant ritual impurity, rendering the house and potentially its inhabitants unclean. The specific nature of the growth meant it was considered a "plague" because it was pervasive and required divine intervention through the priestly system for its removal or purification, as detailed in Leviticus 14:34-47.

Why was the homeowner required to tell the priest immediately?

Answer: The immediate reporting by the homeowner was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it underscored the seriousness of ritual impurity in ancient Israel; defilement could not be ignored or hidden, as it threatened the community's holiness. Secondly, it emphasized the priest's unique role as the divinely appointed authority to discern between clean and unclean, and to administer the laws of purification; the homeowner was not equipped to make this judgment independently. Thirdly, prompt reporting was a public health measure, preventing the spread of potentially harmful mold or mildew, and ensuring the sanctity of the community's living spaces. It demonstrated a commitment to God's covenant and His standards for a holy people living in a holy land, as seen throughout Leviticus.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Leviticus 14:35, with its meticulous laws concerning the "plague" in the house and the homeowner's responsibility to report it to the priest, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament laws, including those of ritual purity, served as a "shadow of the good things to come" (Hebrews 10:1), pointing forward to a greater reality. Just as the physical "plague" defiled a dwelling and required priestly intervention for cleansing, so too does sin—the ultimate spiritual "plague"—defile humanity, making us unclean and separated from God. We, as spiritual "homeowners" of our lives, are called to acknowledge and confess our defilement. However, unlike the earthly priest who could only offer temporary, ritual cleansing through animal sacrifices, Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest, who offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 9:11-14). Through His shed blood, He provides not merely ritual purification but complete spiritual cleansing and forgiveness, removing the "plague" of sin once and for all (1 John 1:7). He makes us holy and acceptable in God's sight, transforming our defiled "houses" into temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Thus, the homeowner's urgent report to the priest foreshadows our desperate need to come to Christ, confess our spiritual defilement, and receive His perfect and eternal cleansing, enabling us to live in true fellowship with a holy God.

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Commentary on Leviticus 14 verses 33–53

33 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

34 When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;

35 And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house:

36 Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house:

37 And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall;

38 Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days:

39 And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look: and, behold, if the plague be spread in the walls of the house;

40 Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:

41 And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about, and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off without the city into an unclean place:

42 And they shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other morter, and shall plaister the house.

43 And if the plague come again, and break out in the house, after that he hath taken away the stones, and after he hath scraped the house, and after it is plaistered;

44 Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house: it is unclean.

45 And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the morter of the house; and he shall carry them forth out of the city into an unclean place.

46 Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even.

47 And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes.

48 And if the priest shall come in, and look upon it, and, behold, the plague hath not spread in the house, after the house was plaistered: then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed.

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

50 And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:

51 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:

52 And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet:

53 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.

This is the law concerning the leprosy in a house. Now that they were in the wilderness they dwelt in tents, and had no houses, and therefore the law is made only an appendix to the former laws concerning the leprosy, because it related, not to their present state, but to their future settlement. The leprosy in a house is as unaccountable as the leprosy in a garment; but, if we see not what natural causes of it can be assigned, we may resolve it into the power of the God of nature, who here says, I put the leprosy in a house (Lev 14:34), as his curse is said to enter into a house, and consume it with the timber and stones thereof, Zac 5:4. Now, 1. It is supposed that even in Canaan itself, the land of promise, their houses might be infected with a leprosy. Though it was a holy land, this would not secure them from this plague, while the inhabitants were many of them so unholy. Thus a place and a name in the visible church will not secure wicked people from God's judgments. 2. It is likewise taken for granted that the owner of the house will make the priest acquainted with it, as soon as he sees the least cause to suspect the leprosy in his house: It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house, Lev 14:35. Sin, where that reigns in a house, is a plague there, as it is in a heart. And masters of families should be aware and afraid of the first appearance of gross sin in their families, and put away the iniquity, whatever it is, far from their tabernacles, Job 22:23. They should be jealous with a godly jealousy concerning those under their charge, lest they be drawn into sin, and take early advice, if it but seem that there is a plague in the house, lest the contagion spread, and many be by it defiled and destroyed. 3. If the priest, upon search, found that the leprosy had got into the house, he must try to cure it, by taking gout that part of the building that was infected, Lev 14:40, Lev 14:41. This was like cutting off a gangrened limb, for the preservation of the rest of the body. Corruption should be purged out in time, before it spread; for a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off. 4. If yet it remained in the house, the whole house must be pulled down, and all the materials carried to the dunghill, Lev 14:44, Lev 14:45. The owner had better be without a dwelling than live in one that was infected. Note, The leprosy of sin, if it be obstinate under the methods of cure, will at last be the ruin of families and churches. If Babylon will not be healed, she shall be forsaken and abandoned, and (according to the law respecting the leprous house), they shall not take of her a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations, Jer 51:9, Jer 51:26. The remainders of sin and corruption in our mortal bodies are like this leprosy in the house; after all our pains in scraping and plastering, we shall never be quite clear of it, till the earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved and taken down; when we are dead we shall be free from sin, and not till then, Rom 6:7. 5. If the taking out the infected stones cured the house, and the leprosy did not spread any further, then the house must be cleansed; not only aired, that it might be healthful, but purified from the ceremonial pollution, that it might be fit to be the habitation of an Israelite. The ceremony of its cleansing was much the same with that of cleansing a leprous person, Lev 14:49, etc. This intimated that the house was smitten for the man's sake (as bishop Patrick expresses it), and he was to look upon himself as preserved by divine mercy. The houses of Israelites are said to be dedicated (Deu 20:5), for they were a holy nation, and therefore they ought to keep their houses pure from all ceremonial pollutions, that they might be fit for the service of that God to whom they were devoted. And the same care should we take to reform whatever is amiss in our families, that we and our houses may serve the Lord; see Gen 35:2. Some have thought the leprosy in the house was typical of the idolatry of the Jewish church, which did strangely cleave to it; for, though some of the reforming kings took away the infected stones, yet still it broke out again, till by the captivity of Babylon God took down the house, and carried it to an unclean land; and this proved an effectual cure of their inclination to idols and idolatrous worships.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 33–53. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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Cross-References

Psalms 91:10
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Zechariah 5:4
I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
Deuteronomy 7:26
Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
1 Samuel 3:12
In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
1 Samuel 3:14
And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
Proverbs 3:33
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
Joshua 7:21
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.