What number verse is Leviticus 14:37 in the Bible?

Leviticus 14:37 is the 3,149th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Leviticus 14:37 sits at position 3,149.

14:3614:36

Leviticus 14:37

Q: What exactly was the "plague" in the house described in Leviticus 14:37?

The "plague" (*negaʻ*, H5061) in Leviticus 14:37, in the context of houses, is generally understood by scholars to refer to a severe and pervasive mold, mildew, or fungal growth. It was not merely a cosmetic issue or a simple stain, but a deep-seated affliction that caused ritual defilement, rendering the house unclean and unfit for habitation by God's holy people. The specific descriptions provided in the verse—"hollow strakes" (H8258), "greenish (H3422) or reddish (H125)" discoloration, and areas that were "lower (H8217) than the wall (H7023)"—point to a destructive infestation that had eaten into the building materials, indicating its severity and the urgent need for priestly intervention. This condition went beyond simple dirt or superficial marks, signifying a condition that made the dwelling ritually impure and potentially structurally unsound.

14:3814:38

Translation

King James Version

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;

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KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall look ^H7200 on the plague ^H5061, and, behold, if the plague ^H5061 be in the walls ^H7023 of the house ^H1004 with hollow strakes ^H8258, greenish ^H3422 or reddish ^H125, which in sight ^H4758 are lower ^H8217 than ^H4480 the wall ^H7023;

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Complete Jewish Bible

He will examine the infection; and if he sees that the infection is in the walls of the house, with greenish or reddish depressions that seem to go in deeper than the surface of the wall,

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Berean Standard Bible

He is to examine the house, and if the mildew on the walls consists of green or red depressions that appear to be beneath the surface of the wall,

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American Standard Version

and he shall look on the plague; and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, and the appearance thereof be lower than the wall;

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World English Bible Messianic

He shall examine the plague; and behold, if the plague is in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, and it appears to be deeper than the wall;

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Geneva Bible (1599)

And hee shall marke the plague: and if the plague be in the walles of the house, and that there be deepe spots, greenish or reddish, which seeme to be lower then the wall,

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Young's Literal Translation

and he hath seen the plague, and lo, the plague is in the walls of the house, hollow strakes, very green or very red, and their appearance is lower than the wall,

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Leviticus 14:37 meticulously outlines the specific diagnostic criteria for the priest's crucial second inspection of a house suspected of being afflicted by a severe, defiling "plague," typically understood as a pervasive and destructive mold or mildew. This verse details the visual signs indicating a deep-seated infestation: "hollow strakes" (depressions), distinct greenish or reddish discoloration, and areas that appear visibly sunken or eroded below the wall's surface. These precise instructions underscore God's profound concern for the physical and ritual purity of His people and their dwellings, highlighting the priest's vital role as both a spiritual arbiter and a public health authority in ancient Israel, ensuring the community remained undefiled and fit for divine presence.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Leviticus 14 forms a critical segment within the broader purification laws detailed in the book of Leviticus, specifically following the extensive regulations concerning skin diseases, known as tzara'at, in Leviticus 13. While Leviticus 14 primarily delineates the elaborate cleansing rituals for individuals healed of tzara'at, it seamlessly transitions to analogous purification procedures for garments and, finally, for houses. Our specific verse, Leviticus 14:37, is situated after the initial report of a suspected "plague" by the homeowner to the priest, the priest's first visit, and the mandatory seven-day quarantine of the house, as described in Leviticus 14:33-36. Therefore, Leviticus 14:37 describes the precise diagnostic signs the priest must observe upon his return, which will determine whether the affliction is superficial, requiring only minor intervention, or so deeply embedded as to necessitate more drastic measures, such as the complete demolition of the house, as prescribed in subsequent verses like Leviticus 14:45.
Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, the concept of ritual purity was not merely an abstract theological idea but a tangible reality deeply embedded in daily life and intrinsically linked to the nation's covenant relationship with Yahweh. As a perfectly holy God, Yahweh desired to dwell among a holy people, and this holiness was to permeate every facet of their existence, extending even to their physical dwellings. The "plague" in the house (Hebrew: negaʻ) was therefore far more than a simple hygienic concern; it carried profound ritual defilement. Pervasive mold or mildew, especially in the often damp, poorly ventilated stone or mud-brick homes common in the ancient Near East, could indeed pose serious health risks and compromise structural integrity. The priest's multifaceted role, as vividly portrayed in this passage, transcended purely religious duties; he functioned as a divinely appointed arbiter of both public health and ritual purity, ensuring the community remained undefiled and fit for God's sacred presence. This meticulous examination of houses reflects a divine concern for the holistic well-being of the community and the sanctity of their living spaces, which were considered extensions of the holy nation and its covenant relationship with God.
Key Themes: The laws concerning the house plague in Leviticus 14, including Leviticus 14:37, contribute significantly to several overarching themes within Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of Holiness and Purity, emphasizing God's absolute holiness and His demand for His people to reflect that holiness in all aspects of their lives, including their physical environment. The "plague" represents Defilement and Contamination, illustrating how sin and impurity can permeate and corrupt, necessitating divine intervention and thorough cleansing. The priest's role highlights the theme of Mediation and Discernment, as he stands between God and the people, discerning the nature of defilement and prescribing the path to restoration. Furthermore, the passage underscores God's Presence and Dwelling, as the purity of the camp and its dwellings was essential for Yahweh to continue dwelling among His people. Finally, there's a subtle theme of Divine Sovereignty over Affliction, as the "plague" is often seen as a divinely sent judgment or test, requiring a divinely ordained response. These themes collectively reinforce the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where purity was a prerequisite for sustained fellowship and blessing.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Plague (Hebrew, negaʻ', H5061): This term, derived from a root meaning "to touch" or "to strike," signifies "a blow" or "infliction." In the context of Leviticus, it refers to a divinely sent affliction or mark, whether on a person (as tzara'at), garment, or house. For houses, it specifically denotes a spreading, defiling mold, mildew, or fungal growth that renders the dwelling ritually impure. It is not merely a physical blemish but a sign of defilement requiring priestly diagnosis and intervention.
Hollow Strakes (Hebrew, shᵉqaʻrûwrâh', H8258): This word, stemming from a root meaning "to sink" or "to subside," describes a "depression" or "sunken place." In Leviticus 14:37, it refers to visible indentations, erosions, or concavities in the walls, indicating that the "plague" has penetrated beyond the surface, eating into the very material of the building. This signifies a severe, deep-seated, and destructive affliction, rather than a superficial stain.
Lower (Hebrew, shâphâl', H8217): Derived from a root meaning "to be low" or "to be depressed," this adjective describes something "depressed," "humble," or "low." When applied to the "hollow strakes" that are "lower than the wall," it emphasizes the visible recession or sinking of the affected areas. This confirms the destructive nature of the "plague," indicating that the material of the wall has been consumed or eroded, creating a noticeable depression rather than just a discoloration on the surface.

Verse Breakdown

"And he shall look on the plague,": This opening phrase underscores the priest's active, intentional, and diagnostic role. Following the initial quarantine period, the priest returns to the house with a specific purpose: to conduct a thorough visual re-examination of the suspected affliction. His "looking" is not casual but a careful, discerning observation, seeking to ascertain the nature and progression of the "plague" based on precise criteria.
"and, behold, [if] the plague [be] in the walls of the house": The interjection "behold" (Hebrew: hinneh) serves to draw immediate attention to a significant discovery. The focus is specifically on the walls of the house, indicating that the affliction is internal to the structure itself, rather than merely affecting its contents or furnishings. This specifies the primary location where the defilement is to be sought and confirmed.
"with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish,": This clause provides the critical visual characteristics that define a severe and defiling "plague." The "hollow strakes" (depressions or erosions) signify a destructive, penetrating affliction, while the "greenish or reddish" colors are the specific tell-tale signs of the type of mold, mildew, or fungal growth that renders the house ritually unclean. These are precise, observable criteria for the priest's judgment.
"which in sight [are] lower than the wall;": This final descriptive element further clarifies the nature of the "hollow strakes." It means that the affected areas appear visibly sunken, recessed, or eaten away, presenting as depressions that are discernibly "lower" than the surrounding, unaffected wall surface. This confirms the deep-seated and destructive nature of the "plague," distinguishing it from superficial marks and indicating a severe, perhaps incurable, infestation that has consumed the material of the wall itself.

Literary Devices

Leviticus 14:37 is characterized by its meticulous Precision and Specificity. The detailed visual descriptors—"hollow strakes," "greenish or reddish," and areas "lower than the wall"—leave no ambiguity, ensuring the priest's judgment is based on clear, observable phenomena. This linguistic exactitude reflects the divine origin of the law and its demand for absolute adherence. The Repetition of the word "plague" (negaʻ) throughout the chapter and twice within this verse itself, serves to reinforce its central importance and the pervasive nature of the defilement. Furthermore, the "plague" in the house functions as a powerful Symbolism. While literally referring to mold or mildew, it metaphorically represents spiritual defilement, sin, or any pervasive corruption that can infiltrate and compromise the integrity of an individual, family, or community, necessitating radical measures for cleansing. The priest's act of "looking" (Observation and Discernment) is also highlighted, emphasizing the importance of careful examination and the diligent application of divine law.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Leviticus 14:37, situated within the broader context of the house plague laws, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous concern for the holiness of His people and the sanctity of their environment. The detailed regulations underscore that defilement, whether physical or spiritual, is not to be taken lightly, as it directly compromises the community's ability to dwell in the presence of a holy God. The pervasiveness of the "plague" in the walls, eating into the very fabric of the dwelling, serves as a powerful metaphor for how sin and spiritual decay can deeply embed themselves within individuals, families, or even societal structures, requiring thorough and sometimes radical intervention. God's demand for purity extends beyond mere ritual; it reflects His desire for a people who are set apart for Him in every aspect of their lives, demonstrating His own character of absolute holiness and His desire for unhindered fellowship.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While the ceremonial laws of Leviticus are not directly binding on New Covenant believers, the underlying principles of holiness, discernment, and the pervasive nature of sin remain profoundly relevant for our spiritual lives today. Just as the priest meticulously examined the house for signs of deep-seated decay, we are called to engage in rigorous self-examination and spiritual discernment, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of our lives, our families, or our communities where spiritual "plagues" of sin, bitterness, ungodly patterns, or unconfessed rebellion may have taken root. Superficial fixes or cosmetic changes are insufficient when the defilement has eaten into the very structure of our being or relationships. This passage challenges us to confront systemic issues, pursue genuine repentance, and seek God's transformative power to cleanse and renew us from the inside out, ensuring that our lives are fit dwelling places for His Spirit and reflect His glorious holiness. It reminds us that true purity is not merely external but penetrates to the deepest parts of our being.

Questions for Reflection

What "hollow strakes" or "greenish/reddish" areas might indicate deep-seated spiritual decay or unaddressed sin in my own life or in my community?
Am I willing to allow God's Spirit to conduct a thorough "inspection" of my inner life, even if it reveals uncomfortable truths that require radical "demolition" or cleansing?
How does the meticulousness of God's concern for physical purity in Leviticus encourage me to pursue holiness in all aspects of my daily life, including my home, relationships, and thoughts?

FAQ

What exactly was the "plague" in the house described in Leviticus 14:37?

Answer: The "plague" (negaʻ, H5061) in Leviticus 14:37, in the context of houses, is generally understood by scholars to refer to a severe and pervasive mold, mildew, or fungal growth. It was not merely a cosmetic issue or a simple stain, but a deep-seated affliction that caused ritual defilement, rendering the house unclean and unfit for habitation by God's holy people. The specific descriptions provided in the verse—"hollow strakes" (H8258), "greenish (H3422) or reddish (H125)" discoloration, and areas that were "lower (H8217) than the wall (H7023)"—point to a destructive infestation that had eaten into the building materials, indicating its severity and the urgent need for priestly intervention. This condition went beyond simple dirt or superficial marks, signifying a condition that made the dwelling ritually impure and potentially structurally unsound.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The "plague" in the house in Leviticus 14:37, requiring either elaborate cleansing rituals or complete demolition, serves as a powerful Old Testament shadow pointing to the pervasive nature of sin and the ultimate, perfect cleansing work of Jesus Christ. Just as the physical "plague" rendered a dwelling unfit for the holy people of God, so too does sin defile humanity, making us inherently unfit for communion with a holy God. The meticulous priestly inspection and the prescribed rituals, though necessary for their time, were ultimately unable to permanently remove the root of defilement; they merely covered or contained it, foreshadowing a greater reality. Jesus Christ is the true and ultimate priest, who, unlike the Levitical priests, did not merely diagnose sin but became the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Through His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness, not with the blood of animals, but with His own precious blood, effectively removing the "plague" of sin that had eaten into the very fabric of our being. By His redemptive work, our bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit, cleansed, sanctified, and made holy, fit for God's dwelling. This ultimately fulfills the longing for a pure and undefiled habitation for God among His people, as beautifully described in Ephesians 5:25-27, where Christ presents the church to Himself "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

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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

Leviticus 13:19
And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be shewed to the priest;
Leviticus 13:20
And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
Leviticus 13:42
And if there be in the bald head, or bald forehead, a white reddish sore; it is a leprosy sprung up in his bald head, or his bald forehead.
Leviticus 13:3
And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.
Leviticus 13:49
And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be shewed unto the priest: