Leviticus 14:44

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the priest {H3548} shall come {H935} and look {H7200}, and, behold, if the plague {H5061} be spread {H6581} in the house {H1004}, it is a fretting {H3992} leprosy {H6883} in the house {H1004}: it is unclean {H2931}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then the cohen is to enter and examine it. If he sees that the infection has spread in the house, it is a contagious tzara'at in the house; it is unclean.

Berean Standard Bible

the priest must come and inspect it. If the mildew has spread in the house, it is a destructive mildew; the house is unclean.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:44 delivers a definitive and somber verdict within the intricate purity laws of ancient Israel, specifically addressing a persistent and spreading fungal growth or mold in a dwelling. Following a meticulous process of initial inspection, quarantine, and attempts at remediation, this verse describes the climactic moment when the officiating priest observes that the affliction has irrevocably permeated and spread throughout the house. The pronouncement of "fretting leprosy" and the definitive declaration of "unclean" signify a profound and incurable state of ritual impurity, underscoring the absolute necessity of removing all such pervasive defilement to maintain the sanctity of God's people and their living environment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14:44 is situated within the detailed instructions concerning _tsara'at_, a broad Hebrew term encompassing various skin conditions, and notably, mold or mildew affecting garments and houses. Chapters [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases and Mildew") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws Concerning Cleansing from Leprosy") form a contiguous legal unit, meticulously outlining the priestly procedures for diagnosing, quarantining, and either purifying or condemning individuals, objects, and structures. Specifically, the latter half of [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws Concerning Cleansing from Leprosy"), from [Leviticus 14:33-53](/leviticus/14-33-53 "Leviticus 14:33-53 - Laws Concerning Leprosy in a House"), focuses exclusively on the "plague of leprosy in a house." Verse 44 marks a critical juncture, following the initial priestly inspection (cf. [Leviticus 14:34-38](/leviticus/14-34-38 "Leviticus 14:34-38 - Initial Inspection of a House")) and the subsequent re-inspection after a seven-day quarantine (cf. [Leviticus 14:39-42](/leviticus/14-39-42 "Leviticus 14:39-42 - Re-inspection and Removal of Affected Stones")). If, as described in [Leviticus 14:43](/leviticus/14-43 "Leviticus 14:43 - Third Inspection of the House"), the plague had reappeared and spread even after the removal of affected stones and replastering, verse 44 delivers the final, dire assessment, leading directly to the house's complete demolition in [Leviticus 14:45](/leviticus/14-45 "Leviticus 14:45 - Demolition of the House"). This progression underscores the escalating severity of the defilement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of ritual purity was foundational to their covenant relationship with Yahweh. God's holy presence, symbolized by the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), necessitated a holy people and a holy environment. Anything that threatened this holiness—whether certain bodily discharges, contact with dead bodies, or pervasive "plagues" like severe mold—rendered a person or object ritually "unclean" (_ṭâmêʼ_) and temporarily unfit for worship or full participation in the community. "Leprosy" in houses, likely severe fungal or mold growth, was not merely a structural issue but viewed as a divinely sent affliction, a visible sign of deep-seated defilement that could compromise the entire community's purity and health. The priest, acting as God's designated mediator and guardian of the covenant, possessed the unique authority to discern and declare the status of purity or impurity. This meticulous attention to purity in the physical environment reflected a broader theological truth: God's absolute holiness permeated all aspects of life, from personal conduct to communal dwellings, demanding a corresponding separation from anything that defiled His presence.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 14:44 significantly contributes to several major theological and narrative themes found throughout the book. Foremost is the theme of **God's Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing His absolute separation from all defilement and His demand for holiness from His people (cf. [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")). The house plague illustrates the **Insidious Nature of Sin and Impurity**, showing how defilement, if not decisively dealt with, can spread and corrupt an entire structure, much like sin can permeate a life or community. The priest's role highlights the theme of **Mediated Authority and Discernment**, as he acts as God's representative to discern and declare the spiritual status of things, ensuring the community's adherence to divine standards. Finally, the radical solution of demolition points to the theme of **Radical Separation and Cleansing**, demonstrating that some forms of pervasive defilement require complete removal, not just superficial repair, to restore purity, a principle echoed in later biblical calls for spiritual cleansing and separation from evil (cf. [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Come Out From Among Them")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** (H3548) The term refers to one officiating, a priest, or by courtesy, an acting priest. In this context, the _kôhên_ is the divinely appointed figure responsible for administering the purity laws. His role is not merely observational; he is the authoritative arbiter who discerns the nature of the "plague" and delivers the binding verdict, acting as God's representative to maintain the holiness of the community and its dwellings. His presence signifies the solemnity and divine sanction of the inspection process.
* **Plague (Hebrew, _negaʻ'_):** (H5061) While often translated as "plague," _negaʻ_ in this context refers to a "blow" or "infliction," specifically a divinely sent mark or affliction, such as a spreading mold or mildew. It signifies a supernatural origin or judgment, not merely a natural phenomenon. This term is consistently used throughout [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases and Mildew") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws Concerning Cleansing from Leprosy") to denote the various manifestations of _tsâraʻath_ (leprosy), whether on skin, garments, or structures, emphasizing its serious, often contagious, and ritually defiling nature.
* **Fretting (Hebrew, _mâʼar'_):** (H3992) The KJV's "fretting" translates the Hebrew root _mâʼar_. This term, meaning "to be bitter or (causatively) to embitter, i.e. be painful; fretting, picking," vividly conveys the insidious and destructive nature of the house plague. It suggests a persistent, irritating, and deeply ingrained affliction that "gnaws" or "picks away" at the very fabric of the house. This implies the contamination is not superficial but has become a painful, pervasive issue, rendering the dwelling beyond simple repair or cleansing. It underscores the incurable and consuming state of the defilement, which has become an enduring source of distress and decay.
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** (H2931) The declaration of _ṭâmêʼ_ signifies a state of ritual impurity. In the Mosaic Law, "unclean" did not necessarily imply moral sin, but rather a condition that rendered a person, object, or place unfit for sacred use or for full participation in the holy community. This state required either purification rituals or, in severe cases like this, complete removal or destruction. The repeated declaration of "unclean" emphasizes the absolute separation required from anything that could defile God's holy presence among His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the priest shall come and look":** This opening phrase underscores the ongoing, authoritative, and meticulous role of the priest in discerning and declaring the status of ritual purity. After the initial inspection and the prescribed seven-day quarantine period, the priest returns to re-evaluate the house. His "looking" is not a casual glance but a divinely mandated, thorough examination, acting as God's representative to uphold the covenant laws and protect the sanctity of the community.
* **"and, behold, [if] the plague be spread in the house":** This is the pivotal observation that seals the house's fate. The interjection "behold" (Hebrew: _hinneh_) emphasizes the undeniable visual evidence. The phrase "be spread" (Hebrew: _pâsâh_) indicates that the initial measures—removing affected stones and replastering (cf. [Leviticus 14:40-42](/leviticus/14-40-42 "Leviticus 14:40-42 - Removal of Stones and Replastering"))—have demonstrably failed. The contamination is no longer localized but has permeated the entire structure, demonstrating its persistent, pervasive, and uncontainable nature.
* **"it [is] a fretting leprosy in the house":** This is the solemn and grave diagnosis. The term "fretting leprosy" (Hebrew: _tsâraʻath mâʼar_) signifies a malignant, consuming, and deeply ingrained defilement. It is a declaration that the plague is not a minor, superficial issue but a destructive force that has fundamentally compromised the integrity of the dwelling. It implies that the house is irredeemably corrupted by the defilement, akin to something that "gnaws away" at its very essence.
* **"it [is] unclean":** This final, unequivocal declaration is the ultimate verdict. The house is ritually impure, unfit for habitation within the holy community. This pronouncement carries the full weight of divine judgment, necessitating the complete demolition of the house as described in the subsequent verse, [Leviticus 14:45](/leviticus/14-45 "Leviticus 14:45 - Demolition of the House"), to prevent any further spread of defilement and to maintain the absolute sanctity of Israel as God's dwelling place.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:44 employs several potent literary devices to underscore its gravity and finality. The repeated, almost formulaic, pronouncements by the priest – **"it is a fretting leprosy,"** **"it is unclean"** – utilize **Repetition** to emphasize the absolute and irreversible nature of the verdict. This legalistic prose functions as a form of **Litany**, reinforcing the unyielding standard of purity required. The "plague" itself, while a physical phenomenon, also functions as **Symbolism** for pervasive impurity and sin. Just as the physical mold "eats away" or "gnaws" at the house, so too can spiritual decay subtly corrupt and consume. The priest's meticulous inspection and declarative authority establish a clear **Ritualistic Pattern**, highlighting the structured and divinely ordained process for maintaining holiness. The entire passage, including this verse, serves as an **Extended Metaphor** for the necessity of radical purity and the decisive removal of deep-seated corruption, whether physical or spiritual, from God's people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 14:44 profoundly illustrates the uncompromising nature of God's holiness and His unwavering demand for purity within His covenant community. The "fretting leprosy" in the house serves as a stark physical manifestation of defilement that, if left unchecked, would contaminate the entire dwelling and potentially its inhabitants, compromising the sacred space of God's people. This passage underscores that holiness is not merely an abstract concept but must permeate every aspect of life, including one's living environment. The radical solution of demolition, rather than superficial cleansing, reveals God's absolute intolerance for pervasive impurity and His commitment to preserving a pure space for His presence. It teaches that some forms of defilement are so deeply ingrained that only complete removal can restore purity, reflecting a divine principle that extends beyond physical structures to the spiritual condition of individuals and communities, highlighting that true holiness often requires decisive action against deeply rooted corruption.

* [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Deuteronomy 7:26](/deuteronomy/7-26 "Deuteronomy 7:26 - Abhor Idols and Detestable Things")
* [Psalm 101:7](/psalms/101-7 "Psalm 101:7 - No Deceitful Person Shall Dwell in My House")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific laws concerning house plagues may seem distant from contemporary life, Leviticus 14:44 offers enduring spiritual lessons about the insidious nature of sin and the necessity of radical purity. Just as a physical "fretting leprosy" could subtly spread and consume a dwelling, so too can spiritual decay, unaddressed sin, or destructive influences permeate our lives, families, or communities. This verse calls us to cultivate a keen spiritual discernment, akin to the priest's meticulous inspection, to identify areas of compromise or defilement before they become deeply ingrained and pervasive. It challenges us to confront the reality that some forms of spiritual corruption cannot be merely patched over but require decisive, even painful, removal to safeguard our spiritual integrity and maintain a holy environment. Ultimately, it reminds us that God's desire for holiness extends to every corner of our existence, urging us to pursue purity not just outwardly, but in the hidden places of our hearts and homes, ensuring that our lives are fitting dwelling places for His Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fretting leprosy" might be subtly spreading within my own heart, home, or community that needs honest inspection and decisive action?**
* **Am I willing to take radical steps to remove pervasive sin or destructive influences, even if it means discomfort or loss, to maintain spiritual purity?**
* **How does the priest's diligent role in discerning uncleanness inform my own responsibility to exercise spiritual discernment in my life and in the church, identifying and addressing spiritual impurities?**

### FAQ
**What was "leprosy" in a house, and why was it so serious?**

Answer: In the context of Leviticus, "leprosy" (_tsâraʻath_) in a house (and on garments) refers not to human Hansen's disease, but to a severe, spreading mold, mildew, or fungal growth. It was considered serious for several reasons. Theologically, it was seen as a divinely inflicted "plague" (_negaʻ_), a sign of defilement that could compromise the holiness of the dwelling and, by extension, the community. Practically, such pervasive mold could render a house uninhabitable and unhealthy. Spiritually, it symbolized deep-seated impurity that, unlike superficial defilement, could not be easily cleansed but required radical removal, reflecting God's absolute demand for purity in the environment of His covenant people, as seen throughout [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws Concerning Cleansing from Leprosy").

**Why did the priest have to "look" multiple times?**

Answer: The multiple inspections by the priest (initial, after quarantine, and after removal of stones) underscore the meticulousness and gravity of the process. It wasn't a hasty judgment but a careful, observed progression. The initial quarantine (cf. [Leviticus 14:38](/leviticus/14-38 "Leviticus 14:38 - Quarantine of the House")) and the removal of affected stones (cf. [Leviticus 14:40](/leviticus/14-40 "Leviticus 14:40 - Removal of Affected Stones")) were attempts at remediation, offering opportunities for the "plague" to recede. Only if the "plague" continued to spread after these measures, as described in [Leviticus 14:44](/leviticus/14-44 "Leviticus 14:44 - The House is Unclean"), was the final, devastating verdict of "fretting leprosy" and "unclean" pronounced. This thorough process ensured that the extreme measure of demolition was only taken when the defilement was truly pervasive and incurable, highlighting the divine patience and thoroughness in dealing with impurity before final judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:44, with its stark declaration of an incurably defiled house requiring complete demolition, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "fretting leprosy" of the house serves as a powerful Old Testament shadow of the pervasive and consuming nature of sin, which utterly corrupts humanity and renders us "unclean" before a holy God. Just as the priest in Leviticus could only declare uncleanness and prescribe demolition, the Old Covenant system, with its sacrifices and rituals, could only cover sin temporarily, never fully eradicating its deep-seated defilement (cf. [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins")). Jesus, however, is the ultimate [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") whose perfect sacrifice on the cross not only covers but completely takes away the sin of the world, cleansing us from all "leprosy" of sin (cf. [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - The Blood of Jesus Cleanses Us")). He is the true High Priest, not merely declaring impurity, but possessing the divine power to make the unclean clean (cf. [Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest") and [Mark 1:40-42](/mark/1-40-42 "Mark 1:40-42 - Jesus Cleanses a Leper")). Through His atoning work, the "old house" of sin-corrupted humanity is not merely patched up but radically transformed, becoming a new creation (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), a spiritual dwelling where God's Holy Spirit can truly reside, perfectly holy and eternally pure (cf. [Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21-22 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - A Holy Temple in the Lord")).

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 13:51

And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, [or] in any work that is made of skin; the plague [is] a fretting leprosy; it [is] unclean.

Leviticus 13:52

He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woollen or in linen, or any thing of skin, wherein the plague is: for it [is] a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire.

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.