Leviticus 14:41

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall cause the house {H1004} to be scraped {H7106} within {H1004} round about {H5439}, and they shall pour {H8210} out the dust {H6083} that they scrape {H7096} off without {H2351} the city {H5892} into an unclean {H2931} place {H4725}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Next, he is to have the inside of the house thoroughly scraped, and the scraped-off plaster is to be discarded outside the city in an unclean place.

Berean Standard Bible

And he shall have the inside of the house scraped completely and the plaster that is scraped off dumped into an unclean place outside the city.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:41 details a critical step in the purification ritual for a house afflicted by *tzara'at*, often understood as a severe defiling mold or mildew. This verse mandates the thorough scraping of the house's interior walls, followed by the removal of the scraped material ("dust") to an "unclean place" outside the Israelite camp. This meticulous and drastic measure underscores God's absolute demand for holiness within the community, signifying that defilement, once identified, must be completely excised and separated from the consecrated space of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14:41 is embedded within the extensive priestly instructions concerning *tzara'at*, a broad term encompassing various skin conditions and fungal growths, detailed in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Purification Rites for Tzara'at"). Specifically, this verse falls within the section addressing *tzara'at* in houses ([Leviticus 14:33-53](/leviticus/14-33 "Leviticus 14:33-53 - Laws for a House with Tzara'at")). The preceding verses outline the priest's initial inspection, the seven-day isolation period, and subsequent re-inspection. If the "plague" had spread after the initial scraping and replastering ([Leviticus 14:38-39](/leviticus/14-38 "Leviticus 14:38-39 - Initial Scraping and Re-inspection")), then the measures described in verse 41 become necessary, preceding the ultimate demolition of the house if the plague persisted ([Leviticus 14:45](/leviticus/14-45 "Leviticus 14:45 - Demolition of the House")). This progression highlights the escalating severity of the defilement and the escalating measures required for its eradication.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelite camp was structured around the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's holy presence among His people. This divine presence necessitated an exceptionally high standard of ritual purity for both individuals and their living spaces. *Tzara'at*, whether affecting a person or a dwelling, was not merely a physical ailment but a state of ritual impurity that rendered one ceremonially unclean and separated from the community and worship. The meticulous procedures in Leviticus, including the actions in [Leviticus 14:41](/leviticus/14-41 "Leviticus 14:41 - Scraping the House"), served to maintain the sanctity of the camp and protect the community from spiritual contamination. The concept of "unclean places" outside the city was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures for disposing of refuse and impure items, but in Israel, it carried specific theological weight, emphasizing the absolute separation of defilement from the holy community to preserve their covenantal relationship with a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Scraped (Hebrew, קָצָה, _qatsah'_):** This verb denotes a vigorous, thorough, and often destructive removal, implying a cutting away or excising. It's not a gentle cleaning but a forceful stripping of the affected surfaces. The intensity of this action underscores the severity of the defilement and the uncompromising nature of God's demand for purity. It suggests that superficial measures are insufficient when dealing with deep-seated impurity.
* **Dust (Hebrew, עָפָר, _ʿaphar'_):** While literally referring to the scraped material, "dust" here carries symbolic weight. It represents the very embodiment of the defilement, the physical manifestation of the "plague." By calling it "dust," the text emphasizes its worthlessness and its need to be utterly discarded, reinforcing the idea that impurity has no place within the holy community.
* **Unclean place (Hebrew, מָקוֹם טָמֵא, _maqom tame'_):** This phrase refers to a designated area outside the boundaries of the Israelite camp, specifically set aside for the disposal of ritually impure items, carcasses, or waste. Its designation as "unclean" signifies that anything deposited there is irrevocably separated from the consecrated space of the community, highlighting the principle of complete expulsion and isolation of defilement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about":** This clause emphasizes the priest's directive role in the purification process, acting as God's agent. The phrase "within round about" signifies a comprehensive and exhaustive scraping of all interior surfaces, leaving no part untouched. This thoroughness highlights the pervasive nature of the defilement and the absolute necessity of its complete removal, indicating that partial measures are insufficient to address deep-seated impurity.
* **"and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off":** This describes the collective action of removing the scraped material. The "dust" represents the physical manifestation of the "plague," now detached from the house. The act of "pouring out" implies a decisive and complete riddance of the contaminated material, preventing any lingering presence of the defilement.
* **"without the city into an unclean place":** This specifies the destination for the removed material. "Without the city" (or "without the camp") signifies its expulsion from the consecrated space where God's people dwell. The "unclean place" is a designated area for impurity, reinforcing the theological principle that defilement must be completely separated and isolated from the holy community, ensuring that its contaminating influence is entirely removed from their midst.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its theological message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the house serving as a microcosm of the individual Israelite or the community as a whole, and the "plague" of *tzara'at* symbolizing sin, impurity, or anything that defiles and separates from God's holiness. The act of "scraping" the house functions as a **metaphor** for radical repentance and thorough purification, requiring a deep, internal cleansing rather than a superficial one. The subsequent command to cast the "dust" into an "unclean place" outside the camp is a powerful **symbolic action** representing the complete separation from and expulsion of defilement from the holy community. This entire ritual is an example of **ritual purity**, where physical actions are prescribed to teach and reinforce profound spiritual truths about God's holiness and the necessity of human purity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 14:41 profoundly illustrates God's uncompromising demand for holiness and the radical measures required to address defilement. It teaches that impurity, whether physical or spiritual, is not to be tolerated within His presence or among His people. The thorough scraping and complete expulsion of the "dust" symbolize the necessity of a deep, internal cleansing of sin and its pervasive effects, not just a superficial acknowledgment. This principle extends beyond individual actions to the corporate purity of the community, emphasizing that collective holiness is maintained by diligently removing anything that contaminates. The passage underscores that God's standard of purity is absolute, requiring decisive action to separate from all that is antithetical to His nature.

* [2 Corinthians 7:1](/2_corinthians/7-1 "2 Corinthians 7:1 - Cleansing from Filthiness")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous and uncompromising process described in Leviticus 14:41 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as the ancient Israelite house required a thorough scraping and removal of defilement, our "spiritual houses"—our hearts, minds, and lives—require diligent and radical purification from sin. This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial confessions to a deep, internal examination and excision of anything that defiles our relationship with God. It calls for a proactive and decisive separation from unholy practices, attitudes, and influences, casting them "without the city" of our lives into a place of complete discard. The pursuit of holiness is not a passive endeavor but an active, ongoing process that demands our full commitment to aligning our lives with God's pure character, ensuring that our "dwelling" is a consecrated space for His Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "dust" or hidden defilement might need to be thoroughly scraped out of my "spiritual house" today?**
* **Am I truly casting away sin and unholy influences to an "unclean place," or am I merely relocating them within my life?**
* **How does the thoroughness demanded in this verse challenge my approach to personal holiness and sanctification?**
* **In what ways can our church community apply the principle of "scraping and casting out" to maintain corporate purity and reflect God's holiness?**

### FAQ

**What exactly was "the plague in the house" (tzara'at) in Leviticus, and why was it so serious?**

Answer: The "plague in the house" (Hebrew: *tzara'at habbayit*) was a mysterious defiling growth, often translated as "leprosy" but more accurately understood as a severe, spreading mold or mildew that appeared on the walls of a house. It was considered serious not merely for its physical damage but primarily because it rendered the dwelling ritually unclean (*tame*). In the Israelite worldview, where God's holy presence dwelt among them in the Tabernacle, any impurity threatened the sanctity of the entire community. This "plague" was seen as a divine visitation, a sign of pervasive defilement that required immediate and drastic measures, including the potential demolition of the house ([Leviticus 14:45](/leviticus/14-45 "Leviticus 14:45 - Demolition of the House")), to prevent the spread of impurity and maintain the holiness of the camp.

**Why was the scraped material to be poured "without the city into an unclean place"?**

Answer: The command to dispose of the scraped material "without the city into an an unclean place" was deeply symbolic and practical. Practically, it prevented the spread of the physical mold. Theologically, it underscored the absolute necessity of separating all forms of defilement from the consecrated space of the Israelite community, where a holy God resided. Anything ritually impure could not remain within the boundaries of the camp. This act reinforced the principle that impurity, once identified and removed, must be completely expelled and isolated, signifying a decisive break from its contaminating influence. It was a visual and tangible demonstration of God's demand for complete purity among His people, mirroring the expulsion of individuals with *tzara'at* from the camp ([Leviticus 13:46](/leviticus/13-46 "Leviticus 13:46 - The Leper Outside the Camp")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:41, with its stark imagery of radical cleansing and expulsion of defilement, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "plague" in the house, symbolizing the pervasive nature of sin, points to humanity's deep-seated spiritual defilement that no amount of human "scraping" could truly eradicate. Christ, as the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became our ultimate purification. Just as the defiled "dust" was cast "without the city," Jesus was led "outside the gate" of Jerusalem to suffer and die ([Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")), bearing our sins in His own body on the cross. His sacrifice was the thorough, once-for-all "scraping" that removes the deep-seated "plague" of sin from our lives, not merely a superficial cleaning. Through His atoning work, He makes us clean and holy, transforming our defiled "houses" into temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), enabling us to dwell in the presence of a holy God without condemnation ([Colossians 1:21-22](/colossians/1-21 "Colossians 1:21-22 - Reconciled to God")).

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

1 Timothy 1:20

Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Isaiah 65:4

Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable [things is in] their vessels;

Matthew 8:28

¶ And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

Job 36:13

But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.

Job 36:14

They die in youth, and their life [is] among the unclean.

Matthew 24:51

And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Revelation 22:15

For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.