Leviticus 14:40

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:

Then the priest {H3548} shall command {H6680} that they take {H2502} away the stones {H68} in which {H2004} the plague {H5061} is, and they shall cast {H7993}{H853} them into an unclean {H2931} place {H4725} without {H2351} the city {H5892}:

he is to order them to remove the infected stones and throw them into some unclean place outside the city.

he must order that the contaminated stones be pulled out and thrown into an unclean place outside the city.

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

Commentary

Leviticus 14:40 is part of the extensive laws concerning the cleansing of a house afflicted by a "plague," often interpreted as severe mold or mildew. This verse specifically details the command given by the priest to remove the infected stones and dispose of them in a designated "unclean place without the city," highlighting the meticulous nature of ritual purification in ancient Israel.

Context

Chapters 13 and 14 of Leviticus provide detailed instructions regarding various forms of *tzara'at*, a term often translated as "leprosy," but which encompasses a range of skin diseases, as well as mold or mildew affecting garments and houses. Leviticus 14 outlines the purification rites for both individuals and dwellings. Verse 40 comes after initial inspections and a period of quarantine for the house. If the "plague" (mold) persisted, the priest would order the removal of the affected stones. This meticulous process underscores God's emphasis on holiness and ritual purity for His people, reflecting His own character and the need for a clean dwelling place for a holy God among them.

Key Themes

  • Purity and Holiness: The central theme is the maintenance of ritual purity within the Israelite community. God, being holy, required His people and their environments to reflect that holiness.
  • Separation from Defilement: The command to remove and discard the infected stones "without the city" emphasizes the necessity of isolating and expelling anything that causes defilement from the holy camp. This principle applied to physical, ritual, and spiritual impurities.
  • Divine Authority and Order: The priest acts as God's representative, carrying out precise instructions. This demonstrates the importance of adhering to God's prescribed methods for dealing with defilement, ensuring order and obedience within the community.
  • Community Health and Well-being: Beyond ritual impurity, these laws also served practical purposes by addressing public health concerns related to contagious diseases or unhealthy living conditions like severe mold.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "plague" in this context is nega' (ื ึถื’ึทืข), which can mean a stroke, a mark, or a plague. While it is used for human skin conditions, here it refers to an outbreak on a house, clearly implying a destructive growth like mold or fungus. The phrase "unclean place without the city" (ืžึดื—ื•ึผืฅ ืœึธืขึดื™ืจ ืึถืœึพืžึธืงึนื•ื ื˜ึธืžึตื) stresses the complete expulsion of the defiling elements from the holy community, reinforcing the concept of ritual segregation.

Practical Application

While the literal application of these laws ended with the ceremonial system fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principles remain highly relevant:

  • Dealing Decisively with Sin: Just as physical defilement was to be removed from the house and the community, so too must spiritual defilement (sin) be identified and decisively dealt with in our lives. We are called to remove anything that corrupts our "temple" (1 Corinthians 6:19).
  • Pursuit of Holiness: God's desire for His people to be holy is consistent throughout Scripture. This verse reminds us of the ongoing process of sanctification, where we actively cleanse ourselves from spiritual impurities. In the New Testament, believers are called to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
  • Community Responsibility: The health and purity of the spiritual community (the Church) depend on individual members addressing and removing "plagues" of sin or division.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 101:5 (2 votes)

    Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

  • Proverbs 22:10 (2 votes)

    ยถ Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

  • Psalms 101:7 (2 votes)

    He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

  • Psalms 101:8 (2 votes)

    I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:5 (2 votes)

    To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:6 (2 votes)

    Your glorying [is] not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

  • Titus 3:10 (2 votes)

    A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;