Leviticus 14:46

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover he that goeth {H935} into the house {H1004} all the while {H3117} that it is shut {H5462} up shall be unclean {H2930} until the even {H6153}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, whoever enters the house at any time while it is sealed up will be unclean until evening.

Berean Standard Bible

Anyone who enters the house during any of the days that it is closed up will be unclean until evening.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:46 is a precise regulation within the comprehensive purification laws concerning a house afflicted with _tzara'at_, a severe skin condition or mold/mildew. This specific instruction mandates that any individual who enters a dwelling that has been quarantined and "shut up" by the priest due to suspected defilement will themselves become ceremonially unclean until evening. This seemingly minor detail profoundly underscores the pervasive and contagious nature of ritual impurity, revealing God's meticulous concern for the sanctity and well-being of the Israelite community, and emphasizing the non-negotiable requirement for strict adherence to divine protocols for separation and cleansing to maintain a holy relationship with Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14 is entirely devoted to the elaborate purification rituals for _tzara'at_, a broad term encompassing not only severe skin diseases but also mold or mildew affecting garments and houses. The immediate context of [Leviticus 14:46](/leviticus/14-46 "Leviticus 14:46 - Uncleanness from Entering a Quarantined House") falls within the section detailing the protocol for a house suspected of affliction, specifically [Leviticus 14:33-53](/leviticus/14-33-53 "Leviticus 14:33-53 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at in a House"). The process begins with the priest inspecting the house, ordering it to be emptied, and then shutting it up for seven days for further observation ([Leviticus 14:38](/leviticus/14-38 "Leviticus 14:38 - Initial Inspection and Quarantine of a House")). This verse, therefore, functions as a crucial safeguard during that initial quarantine period, reinforcing the gravity of the potential defilement and preventing further spread of impurity before a final priestly verdict is rendered regarding the house's fate (either purification or demolition).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of ritual purity was not merely a ceremonial formality but a foundational pillar of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. As a perfectly holy God, Yahweh required His people to maintain a state of ceremonial cleanness to dwell in His presence within the Tabernacle and participate in sacred worship. _Tzara'at_ was viewed as more than a physical ailment; it carried profound spiritual implications, often seen as a sign of extreme defilement or even divine judgment, rendering an individual or object severely unclean. The meticulously detailed regulations in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at in People and Garments") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at and Purification") underscore the significant societal impact of such conditions, necessitating strict separation to prevent the spread of impurity within the community and to protect the sanctity of the camp, where God's holy presence resided. Entering a quarantined house, even if the affliction was not yet confirmed, was considered a direct violation of this sacred boundary, thus incurring temporary uncleanness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Leviticus. Foremost is the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing God's absolute set-apartness and His demand for His people to reflect that holiness in their daily lives and communal interactions. The concept of **Separation** is also central; the laws of _tzara'at_ necessitate strict physical and ritual separation of the unclean from the clean to preserve the sanctity of the camp and prevent the defilement of God's dwelling place. Furthermore, the verse highlights the **Pervasiveness and Contagion of Impurity**, demonstrating that defilement is not limited to direct contact but can spread through proximity and even the violation of designated boundaries. This serves as a powerful object lesson, illustrating how anything that compromises God's holiness—whether physical impurity or, more profoundly, sin—must be meticulously dealt with to maintain the covenant relationship, a theme echoed throughout the Pentateuch, for instance, in the instructions for maintaining a clean camp in [Numbers 5:1-4](/numbers/5-1-4 "Numbers 5:1-4 - Expelling the Unclean from the Camp").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** (H1004) This term (בַּיִת) refers to a dwelling place or building. In this context, it specifically denotes a physical structure that has come under suspicion of _tzara'at_ (mold or mildew) and has been declared off-limits by the priest. The defilement of a "house" extends the concept of impurity beyond individuals and garments to the very spaces of daily life, underscoring the pervasive nature of impurity in the Israelite worldview and the need for comprehensive purification.
* **Shut up (Hebrew, _çâgar'_):** (H5462) The verb (סָגַר) means "to close," "to shut," or "to confine." In the context of _tzara'at_ in a house, it refers to the act of quarantining the dwelling, making it inaccessible and off-limits. This physical act of closure symbolizes the spiritual separation and defilement associated with the suspected affliction. The duration of this "shutting up" was typically seven days for initial inspection, during which time the house was considered highly contaminated and dangerous to enter.
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** (H2930) This verb and adjective (טָמֵא) denotes a state of ritual impurity. It is a central concept in Leviticus, signifying a condition that renders a person or object unfit for participation in sacred activities or for dwelling in the immediate presence of a holy God. Being _ṭâmêʼ_ was not inherently sinful, but it required prescribed purification rituals (like washing and waiting "until the even") to restore one to a state of ritual cleanness, enabling re-entry into full communal and cultic life. The term emphasizes separation from the sacred.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover he that goeth into the house":** This clause identifies the subject of the regulation – any individual who, for any reason, transgresses the boundary established by the priestly quarantine. The Hebrew verb for "goeth" (H935, _bôwʼ_) implies active entry, whether deliberate or accidental, into a space declared off-limits due to potential defilement.
* **"all the while that it is shut up":** This specifies the critical timeframe during which the regulation applies. The house is "shut up" (quarantined) from the moment the priest declares it so until it is either purified or demolished. The phrase "all the while" (H3117, _yôwm_) emphasizes the continuous state of isolation and potential contamination, meaning the rule applies throughout the entire quarantine period, not just at the moment of initial inspection.
* **"shall be unclean until the even":** This states the immediate and temporary consequence of entering the quarantined house. The individual immediately contracts ceremonial uncleanness (_ṭâmêʼ_). The phrase "until the even" (H6153, _‘ereb_) indicates that this impurity is temporary, lasting until sunset, at which point the person would typically undergo a ritual washing (implied by the general laws of purity, e.g., [Leviticus 15:5](/leviticus/15-5 "Leviticus 15:5 - Uncleanness from Touching a Bed")) to become clean again. This temporary uncleanness prevented participation in sacred rites or contact with clean persons without transferring defilement.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:46, like much of the book, is a prime example of **Legal Code**, presenting a precise, conditional regulation within a larger body of divine law. The language is direct, prescriptive, and apodictic, dictating specific actions and consequences without exception. There is also strong **Symbolism** at play; the physical act of "shutting up" the house symbolizes the spiritual separation required due to defilement, and the resulting "uncleanness" of the person who enters symbolizes the contagious nature of impurity. The temporary nature of the uncleanness ("until the even") also serves as a **Foreshadowing** device, pointing to the need for a cleansing agent and a passage of time for purification, which ultimately finds its fulfillment in Christ. The meticulous detail of these laws also highlights God's absolute **Holiness** and His demand for a set-apart people, emphasizing the gravity of anything that compromises His sacred presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly minor regulation profoundly reinforces several core theological themes present throughout Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. It underscores the pervasive nature of sin and defilement, demonstrating that even indirect contact with something deemed "unclean" could render an individual impure. God's absolute standard of holiness demanded a meticulous separation between the clean and the unclean, not only for ritual purity but also for the physical and spiritual well-being of the community. The law served as a constant reminder that God's presence among His people required their purity, emphasizing the gravity of anything that could compromise that sacred relationship and highlighting the need for divine intervention to bridge the chasm created by impurity.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Numbers 5:2](/numbers/5-2 "Numbers 5:2 - Expelling the Unclean from the Camp")
* [Haggai 2:13-14](/haggai/2-13-14 "Haggai 2:13-14 - The Contagion of Uncleanness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 14:46, though part of an ancient ceremonial code, offers timeless spiritual insights into the nature of defilement and the pervasive reach of sin. Just as entering a quarantined house, even without direct physical contact with the _tzara'at_, rendered a person unclean, so too can our proximity to and engagement with sin subtly defile us spiritually. This verse serves as a potent reminder of God's absolute standard of purity and His unwavering call for His people to be set apart. It challenges us to consider the "quarantined areas" in our own lives—those habits, relationships, or environments that, though perhaps not overtly sinful, can subtly compromise our spiritual walk and hinder our intimacy with a holy God. The temporary nature of the uncleanness ("until the even") also points to the need for regular cleansing and repentance, acknowledging that spiritual defilement requires divine intervention for restoration and that our walk with God is an ongoing process of purification and sanctification.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "quarantined areas" or subtle forms of spiritual defilement might I be inadvertently entering or tolerating in my own life?**
* **How does the temporary nature of uncleanness in Leviticus inform my understanding of ongoing repentance and cleansing in the Christian life, and my reliance on Christ for daily purification?**
* **In what ways does God's meticulous concern for purity in ancient Israel speak to His enduring desire for my personal holiness and set-apartness today?**

### FAQ

**What was the primary purpose of these detailed laws concerning _tzara'at_ and uncleanness?**

Answer: The primary purpose was multifaceted, encompassing theological, public health, and social dimensions. Theologically, these laws reinforced God's absolute holiness and His demand for a pure people who could dwell in His presence. They served as constant object lessons that sin and defilement separate humanity from God. From a public health perspective, while not modern medical science, the quarantine procedures (like shutting up a house) certainly helped prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Socially, they maintained order and boundaries within the community, ensuring that the camp remained ceremonially clean as the dwelling place of God ([Numbers 5:2](/numbers/5-2 "Numbers 5:2 - Expelling the Unclean from the Camp")). Ultimately, they underscored humanity's inherent defilement and pointed to the need for a perfect, divine cleanser that the Old Covenant system could not fully provide.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:46, with its emphasis on the pervasive and contagious nature of ceremonial uncleanness, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate solution to humanity's far deeper problem of sin. The temporary defilement incurred by entering a quarantined house, requiring a ritual washing and waiting "until the even" for purification, illustrates the inadequacy of the Old Covenant system to provide lasting cleansing. These laws, though divinely instituted, could only deal with external, ritual impurity and offered a temporary, repetitive remedy. They served as a tutor, leading Israel to recognize their inherent inability to achieve true purity on their own, thus creating a longing for a more profound and permanent cleansing ([Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian Leading to Christ")). Jesus Christ, as the spotless Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), perfectly fulfills these shadows. His sacrifice on the cross provides a once-for-all spiritual purification that cleanses not just the body but the conscience from dead works, enabling believers to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Cleansing Blood")). Unlike the temporary uncleanness of Leviticus 14:46, which required repeated rituals, Christ's blood offers permanent purity, making us truly clean in God's sight and granting us confident access to His holy presence ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")). He is the ultimate "cleansing agent" who, unlike the Old Testament rituals, does not merely make us clean until evening, but purifies us eternally.

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

Numbers 19:21

And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even.

Numbers 19:22

And whatsoever the unclean [person] toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth [it] shall be unclean until even.

Leviticus 15:5

And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 15:8

And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 11:28

And he that beareth the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: they [are] unclean unto you.

Leviticus 11:24

And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 11:25

And whosoever beareth [ought] of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.