Leviticus 14:47

KJV

And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he that lieth {H7901} in the house {H1004} shall wash {H3526} his clothes {H899}; and he that eateth {H398} in the house {H1004} shall wash {H3526} his clothes {H899}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Whoever lies down or eats in the house must wash his clothes.

Berean Standard Bible

And anyone who sleeps in the house or eats in it must wash his clothes.

American Standard Version

And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:47, situated within the detailed legislation concerning the "plague of leprosy" in houses, stipulates the ritual purification requirements for individuals who have had significant and prolonged contact with a dwelling declared unclean due to a severe, persistent mold or mildew infestation. This verse specifically mandates that anyone who lay down or ate within such an affected house must wash their clothes, underscoring the pervasive nature of ritual defilement and God's unwavering demand for holiness and purity within the Israelite community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral component of the extensive purity laws found in [Leviticus 13-15](/leviticus/13-15 "Laws Concerning Purity and Impurity"), which meticulously detail various sources of ritual impurity and their prescribed purification methods. Specifically, [Leviticus 14:33-53](/leviticus/14-33-53 "Laws for a House Infested with Leprosy") addresses the *nega'* (often translated "plague of leprosy") in a house, a term referring not to human leprosy but to a severe, spreading fungal growth, mold, or mildew that could infest the stone or plaster of a dwelling. The preceding verses outline a precise protocol: the priest's initial inspection, the temporary quarantine of the house ([Leviticus 14:38](/leviticus/14-38 "Quarantine of the House")), and if the plague persisted after initial attempts at removal, the house was declared utterly unclean and had to be demolished, with its materials removed from the camp ([Leviticus 14:45](/leviticus/14-45 "Demolition of the House")). [Leviticus 14:46](/leviticus/14-46 "Entry into a Quarantined House") states that anyone merely entering the house during its quarantine period was rendered unclean until evening. Verse 47 extends this principle, specifying that more intimate and prolonged contact—lying down or eating within the house—also necessitated ritual purification, emphasizing the pervasive and defiling nature of the "plague."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of ritual purity was foundational to their covenant relationship with Yahweh. God, being perfectly holy, dwelt among His people in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple. Therefore, maintaining a state of ritual purity was essential for the community to remain in proper relationship with God and to prevent the defilement of His sanctuary ([Leviticus 15:31](/leviticus/15-31 "Defiling the Tabernacle")). The laws concerning *nega'* in houses reflected a broader understanding that defilement was not merely physical but carried profound spiritual implications, disrupting the divinely ordained order and holiness. While such laws also served practical purposes, promoting hygiene in a time without modern sanitation, their primary intent was theological. The meticulousness of these regulations underscored the seriousness with which God viewed any form of impurity, whether from disease, bodily discharge ([Leviticus 15](/leviticus/15 "Laws Concerning Bodily Discharges")), or even environmental contaminants like mold. Contact with anything unclean, even passively, required a prescribed purification process to restore one to a state of ritual acceptability within the holy community.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 14:47 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Central among these is the theme of **God's Holiness and Human Purity**. The detailed laws underscore God's absolute separateness from all impurity and His demand for His people to reflect His holiness in every aspect of their lives, including their dwellings. This verse also highlights the **Pervasiveness of Defilement**, showing that impurity is not confined to isolated incidents but can spread through contact, affecting individuals and their environment. The requirement to wash clothes emphasizes the theme of **Ritual Cleansing and Restoration**, demonstrating that contact with impurity necessitates a prescribed act of purification to restore one to a state of ritual acceptability and allow re-entry into the holy community. These laws, while specific to ancient Israel, ultimately point to the universal human need for cleansing from sin, which is the ultimate defilement, a concept further developed in the New Testament, particularly in the [Book of Hebrews](/hebrews/9 "Christ's Superior Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** From H1004, this term denotes a dwelling place in its broadest sense, encompassing a family's residence, a palace, or even the Temple. In [Leviticus 14:47](/leviticus/14-47 "Leviticus 14:47 - Purification for Contact with an Unclean House"), "house" specifically refers to a physical structure that has been ritually defiled by the *nega'* (mold/plague). The defilement of the house is so pervasive that it extends to those who inhabit or interact intimately with it, making the dwelling itself a source of impurity.
* **Lieth (Hebrew, _shâkab'_):** From H7901, this primitive root means "to lie down" for various purposes, including rest, sleep, or even sexual connection. In this context, it signifies a prolonged and intimate form of contact with the defiled house. To "lie in the house" implies a period of extended presence, rest, or even dwelling within the contaminated environment, suggesting a deeper absorption of the house's impurity than merely entering.
* **Wash (Hebrew, _kâbaç'_):** From H3526, this primitive root means "to trample," and by extension, "to wash," particularly by stamping with the feet, as in fulling cloth. In the context of Levitical law, the washing of clothes is a recurring and significant act of ritual purification ([Leviticus 15:5](/leviticus/15-5 "Uncleanness from Bodily Discharge")). It signifies not merely physical cleanliness but a formal declaration of having ceased contact with the source of impurity and a restoration to a state of ritual acceptability within the community. This act was a visible sign of an internal shift, marking the end of a period of defilement and the return to a state of purity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes;":** This clause addresses an individual who has had prolonged and intimate contact with the defiled house, specifically by resting or sleeping within it. The act of "lying" implies a period of extended presence and absorption within the contaminated environment. Such intimate contact with the source of impurity rendered the person ritually unclean, necessitating the washing of clothes as a prescribed act of purification to restore their ritual purity. This highlights the pervasive nature of the "plague's" defilement, extending beyond the physical structure to those who dwell intimately within it.
* **"and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes.":** This second clause reinforces the principle of defilement through intimate association, focusing on the act of eating within the unclean dwelling. Eating is a deeply communal and personal act, signifying a close connection to one's environment and the intake of sustenance. Engaging in such a fundamental activity within a ritually defiled space meant that the individual absorbed the impurity, requiring the same ritual washing of clothes to cleanse themselves and be readmitted to the pure community. Both actions emphasize that deep, sustained interaction with a source of impurity leads to a state of defilement requiring specific ritual cleansing.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:47 employs several literary devices to convey its message of purity and defilement. **Repetition** is prominently featured in the repeated phrase "shall wash his clothes," which underscores the mandatory nature and consistent requirement for purification. This repetition emphasizes the seriousness of contact with the "plague" and highlights the pervasive nature of the defilement, affecting anyone who engages in prolonged activities within the house. **Symbolism** is central, as the physical act of washing clothes serves as a powerful symbol of ritual cleansing and the removal of impurity. It is not merely about physical hygiene but represents a spiritual and communal restoration to a state of holiness. The "house" itself functions as a **metonymy** for the defilement it contains; contact with the house is synonymous with contact with the "plague" and its associated uncleanness. This meticulous attention to the spread of impurity through various forms of contact serves as a tangible lesson about the pervasive nature of sin and its defiling effect on individuals and the community, even through passive association.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 14:47, like the broader Levitical purity laws, profoundly underscores God's absolute holiness and His demand for a holy people. The meticulous regulations concerning defilement, even from seemingly mundane sources like mold in a house, illustrate that impurity, in any form, is incompatible with God's presence. This system taught Israel the pervasive nature of sin (represented by defilement) and the necessity of diligent separation from anything that would compromise their covenant relationship with a holy God. The act of washing clothes was a constant reminder that contact with impurity required a conscious, prescribed act of purification to restore one to a state of acceptability before God and the community, foreshadowing a deeper spiritual need for cleansing.

* [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Numbers 19:11-13](/numbers/19-11-13 "Uncleanness from a Dead Body")
* [Haggai 2:13-14](/haggai/2-13-14 "Defilement Spreads More Easily Than Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual laws of Leviticus 14:47 no longer apply to believers under the New Covenant, the underlying spiritual principles remain profoundly relevant. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our environment and associations profoundly impact our spiritual purity. Just as physical contact with a defiled house rendered an Israelite unclean, so too can prolonged or intimate association with unholy influences, sinful practices, or worldly ideologies defile our hearts and minds. We are called to be in the world but not of it, exercising discernment about what we allow into our "houses"—our minds, our relationships, our homes, and our communities. When we inevitably come into contact with sin, whether through active participation or passive exposure, there is a divine provision for cleansing. This ancient law points us to the enduring truth that God's standard of holiness is unwavering, and His desire is for His people to live lives that reflect His purity, continually seeking His cleansing and sanctification through the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my "spiritual house" (my inner life, my home, my community) be exposed to defiling influences today?**
* **What does "washing my clothes" spiritually look like for me when I recognize I've been defiled by sin or unholy associations?**
* **How does the meticulousness of these Old Testament purity laws deepen my appreciation for God's holiness and the complete cleansing offered in Christ?**

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

Answer: The "plague of leprosy" (Hebrew: *nega'*) in a house, as described in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Laws for Cleansing Lepers and Houses"), was not human leprosy (Hansen's disease) but rather a severe, spreading mold, mildew, or fungal growth that infested the walls of a dwelling. It was considered serious not just for practical reasons (e.g., structural damage, potential health concerns in a pre-scientific age) but primarily for profound theological ones. In ancient Israelite thought, such an infestation was seen as a manifestation of defilement, a disruption of the divinely ordained order and purity. It rendered the house, and by extension, anything or anyone within it, ritually unclean. This uncleanness was incompatible with the holy presence of God in the Tabernacle/Temple, necessitating strict protocols for quarantine, purification, or even demolition to maintain the sanctity of the community and its covenant relationship with Yahweh.

**Why did merely lying or eating in the house require washing clothes?**

Answer: The acts of "lying" (sleeping or resting) and "eating" within the house signified more prolonged and intimate contact with the defiled structure compared to merely entering it, as described in [Leviticus 14:46](/leviticus/14-46 "Entry into a Quarantined House"). These activities implied a deeper absorption of the house's impurity, making the individual more thoroughly defiled. The washing of clothes (and often the person's body, though not explicitly stated in this verse, it is implied by the general purity laws) was the prescribed ritual act to remove this defilement. It served as a visible and communal declaration that the individual had ceased contact with the source of uncleanness and was now ritually pure, ready to rejoin the holy community. This meticulousness underscored the pervasive nature of defilement and God's demand for thorough cleansing to maintain the holiness of His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:47, with its emphasis on cleansing from the defilement of an unclean house, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transcendence in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament purity laws, including those concerning mold in houses, were shadows pointing to the pervasive nature of sin and humanity's inherent spiritual defilement. No amount of ritual washing or separation could truly cleanse the heart or remove the stain of sin. Jesus, however, is the one who not only touches the unclean without becoming defiled but actively purifies. He touched lepers ([Mark 1:40-42](/mark/1-40-42 "Jesus Cleanses a Leper")), ate with sinners ([Mark 2:15-17](/mark/2-15-17 "Jesus Eats with Sinners")), and even raised the dead ([John 11:43-44](/john/11-43-44 "Jesus Raises Lazarus")), demonstrating His divine authority and power over all forms of defilement, including death itself. His shed blood on the cross provides the ultimate, once-for-all cleansing for sin, which is the true spiritual "plague" that defiles humanity ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). Through faith in Him, believers are not merely ritually cleansed but are spiritually regenerated and made truly holy, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, transforming them from the inside out and enabling them to live in a world full of defilement without being defiled by it ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "Cleansing from All Sin")). The symbolic washing of clothes is replaced by the complete spiritual washing and new creation in Christ ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Washing of Regeneration")), allowing believers to draw near to a holy God with confidence.

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 14:8

And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.

Leviticus 14:9

But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.

Leviticus 11:25

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