Leviticus 14:5

KJV

And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the priest {H3548} shall command {H6680} that one {H259} of the birds {H6833} be killed {H7819} in an earthen {H2789} vessel {H3627} over running {H2416} water {H4325}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohen is to order one of the birds slaughtered in a clay pot over running water.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot.

American Standard Version

and the priest shall command to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:5 describes a foundational step in the elaborate purification ritual for an individual cleansed from *tzara'at*, a severe skin affliction that rendered a person ritually unclean and socially isolated in ancient Israel. This verse details the priest's essential directive to ceremonially kill one of two clean birds in an earthen vessel over fresh, flowing water, establishing a critical symbolic act of substitutionary death and purification necessary for the afflicted person's restoration to community and worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14:5 is an integral part of the comprehensive ritual outlined in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Purification from Tzara'at") for the purification of a person healed of *tzara'at*. This chapter immediately follows [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at"), which meticulously describes the diagnosis and isolation procedures for those afflicted with this skin condition. The purification ritual in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Purification from Tzara'at") is divided into two main stages: the initial purification outside the camp (verses 1-9) and the subsequent rites performed at the tabernacle (verses 10-32). Verse 5 falls within the first stage, setting the scene for the symbolic cleansing. The two birds, cedar wood, scarlet thread, and hyssop mentioned in the broader ritual (e.g., [Leviticus 14:4](/leviticus/14-4 "Leviticus 14:4 - Materials for Purification")) are all carefully selected for their symbolic significance in the process of atonement and purification, culminating in the release of the second bird, signifying freedom and new life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, *tzara'at* (often translated as "leprosy" but likely encompassing a range of severe skin conditions, including mold on houses and garments as seen in [Leviticus 14:33-53](/leviticus/14-33-53 "Leviticus 14:33-53 - Tzara'at in Houses and Garments")) was not merely a physical ailment but carried profound ritual impurity. An afflicted individual was considered "unclean" and was required to live outside the camp, separated from the community and the presence of God (e.g., [Leviticus 13:45-46](/leviticus/13-45-46 "Leviticus 13:45-46 - Isolation of the Unclean")). This separation underscored the defiling nature of sin and its impact on one's relationship with a holy God. The purification ritual, therefore, was not a medical cure but a ceremonial act of restoration, enabling the healed person to re-enter the community and participate in worship. The priest's role was crucial as the administrator of God's laws, discerning the presence of *tzara'at* and overseeing the complex purification rites, acting as a mediator between God and the people. The use of birds, specifically clean birds, in this ritual, alongside "running water," points to a deep understanding of life, death, and purification in the ancient Near East, where water often symbolized cleansing and renewal.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes present throughout Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the **holiness of God** and the absolute necessity of purity for fellowship with Him, demonstrating that defilement, whether physical or spiritual, creates separation. The ritual underscores the theme of **atonement and substitution**, where the life of an innocent creature is offered in place of the defiled individual, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Furthermore, the emphasis on "running water" reinforces the theme of **cleansing and renewal**, signifying a thorough and active purification that restores the individual to a state of ritual cleanliness and newness of life. The priest's central role also emphasizes the theme of **mediation** and the divine order established for approaching a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Killed (Hebrew, _shâchaṭ'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁחַט (_shâchaṭ_, H7819) specifically refers to the ritual slaughter of an animal, particularly in the context of sacrifice. It denotes a precise method, often involving throat-cutting, designed to drain blood, which was understood as the life-force (e.g., [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life is in the Blood")). Its use here emphasizes that the death of the bird is not accidental but a deliberate, sacrificial act, signifying the penalty for impurity and the shedding of blood necessary for atonement and cleansing. This term underscores the substitutionary nature of the ritual, where the bird's life is given in place of the defiled individual.
* **Running (Hebrew, _chay'_):** The Hebrew word חַי (_chay_, H2416), when used in conjunction with water, denotes "fresh," "living," or "springing" water. It refers to water that is actively flowing, as from a spring or river, distinguishing it from stagnant water. This quality implies vitality, purity, and life-giving properties. Its inclusion in the ritual signifies a dynamic, active, and life-restoring cleansing, emphasizing the thoroughness and efficacy of the purification process.
* **Water (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** The Hebrew noun מַיִם (_mayim_, H4325) refers to water in general, but in ritual contexts, its source and state are critical. When paired with _chay_ (running), it specifies clean, flowing water, which was considered inherently purer and more capable of cleansing than stagnant water. In this ritual, the water serves as a medium for purification, symbolizing the washing away of defilement and the renewal that follows.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the priest shall command":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the authority and indispensable role of the priest (כֹּהֵן, _kôhên_, H3548) in this purification ritual. The priest is not merely an observer but the divinely appointed agent who initiates and oversees the sacred protocols. His command (צָוָה, _tsâvâh_, H6680) ensures the meticulous adherence to God's instructions, emphasizing the divine origin and mandatory nature of the cleansing process. This highlights the mediatorial function of the priesthood in ancient Israel, acting on behalf of God to facilitate reconciliation and restoration.
* **"that one of the birds be killed":** This clause specifies the sacrificial act central to the purification. The selection of "one" (אֶחָד, _ʼechâd_, H259) of the "birds" (צִפּוֹר, _tsippôwr_, H6833) (from the pair mentioned in [Leviticus 14:4](/leviticus/14-4 "Leviticus 14:4 - Materials for Purification")) immediately introduces the theme of substitutionary death. The bird's life is taken as a symbolic payment for the impurity, representing the death that *tzara'at* (and by extension, sin) brings. This act is a prerequisite for the subsequent cleansing and restoration, pointing to the foundational biblical principle that "without shedding of blood there is no remission" ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Remission")).
* **"in an earthen vessel":** The "earthen" (חֶרֶס, _cheres_, H2789) "vessel" (כְּלִי, _kᵉlîy_, H3627) serves as the container for the ritual. Earthenware vessels were common, inexpensive, and porous, often considered ritually defiled if they came into contact with impurity, and would then be broken ([Leviticus 15:12](/leviticus/15-12 "Leviticus 15:12 - Earthen Vessel Purity")). Here, its use as the receptacle for the blood and water emphasizes the containment of the cleansing elements. It also subtly points to the fragility and commonness of humanity, suggesting that the divine act of purification occurs within the ordinary, yet consecrated, confines of human experience.
* **"over running water":** This final phrase dictates the precise manner of the bird's killing and the collection of its blood. The blood of the sacrificed bird is to mix with "running water" (מַיִם חַיִּים, _mayim chayyim_) within the earthen vessel. This combination is crucial for the ritual's efficacy. The "running water" symbolizes purity, vitality, and thorough cleansing, ensuring that the defilement is not merely covered but actively washed away. The mixing of blood (representing life and atonement) with living water (representing purification and renewal) creates a potent symbolic medium for the cleansing of the afflicted individual.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:5 is rich with **Symbolism**, a pervasive literary device throughout the Old Testament sacrificial system. The killing of the bird is a powerful symbol of **Substitutionary Atonement**, where the life of an innocent creature is given in place of the defiled person, signifying the penalty for impurity. The "running water" (**_mayim chayyim_**) symbolizes life, purity, and active cleansing, contrasting with stagnant water which could represent impurity or death. The entire ritual, initiated by the priest's **Command**, functions as a **Type** or **Foreshadowing**, pointing forward to greater spiritual realities. While this verse focuses on the death of one bird, it is part of a larger **Contrast** within the ritual (Leviticus 14:6-7), where the second bird is set free. This duality powerfully symbolizes the death required for atonement and the subsequent freedom and new life granted to the cleansed individual, creating a narrative arc of death, cleansing, and restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 14:5 profoundly illustrates several core theological truths foundational to biblical understanding. It underscores the absolute holiness of God, before whom no impurity can stand, and the severe consequences of sin, which brings separation and defilement. The ritual killing of the bird highlights the necessity of a substitute sacrifice for atonement, establishing the principle that life (blood) must be given for the remission of sin and the restoration of relationship with God. Furthermore, the emphasis on "running water" points to the active, vital, and thorough nature of divine cleansing, signifying not just a covering of sin but a washing away that leads to newness of life. This verse, therefore, is a microcosm of the Old Covenant's sacrificial system, continually pointing to the divine provision for dealing with human sin and impurity, and laying groundwork for the ultimate provision in Christ.

* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life is in the Blood for Atonement")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood There is No Remission")
* [Ezekiel 36:25](/ezekiel/36-25 "Ezekiel 36:25 - Cleansing with Clean Water")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of Leviticus 14:5 is no longer practiced under the New Covenant, its underlying spiritual principles remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of sin and impurity in the eyes of a holy God, and the absolute necessity of a divine provision for cleansing. It prompts us to consider the cost of our own sin and the immense sacrifice required for our atonement. Furthermore, the imagery of "running water" speaks to the active and transformative power of God's grace to cleanse us thoroughly and grant us new life. We are called to recognize that our spiritual restoration, much like the physical restoration of the *tzara'at* sufferer, is entirely dependent on God's initiative and provision through a perfect sacrifice and a living, cleansing power. This should cultivate a deep sense of gratitude for the complete and final work of Christ, which fulfills and transcends these Old Testament types, enabling us to live lives of increasing purity and devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed nature of this ritual impress upon you the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin?**
* **In what ways does the concept of a "substitute sacrifice" in this verse deepen your understanding of atonement?**
* **What does the imagery of "running water" teach us about the nature of God's cleansing and renewal in our lives?**

### FAQ
**Why was a bird used in this purification ritual, rather than a lamb or goat?**

Answer: The use of birds in the purification ritual for *tzara'at* ([Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Purification from Tzara'at")) is unique and highly symbolic. While lambs and goats were typically used for sin offerings or burnt offerings, birds (specifically doves or pigeons) were often prescribed for those of lesser means ([Leviticus 5:7](/leviticus/5-7 "Leviticus 5:7 - Offering for the Poor")) or for specific purification rites, such as after childbirth ([Leviticus 12:8](/leviticus/12-8 "Leviticus 12:8 - Offering after Childbirth")). In the *tzara'at* ritual, the choice of two birds allows for a powerful visual contrast: one bird is killed, symbolizing the death required for atonement and the penalty of impurity, while the other is set free, symbolizing the new life, freedom, and restoration of the cleansed individual. The fragility and commonness of birds may also emphasize the humble state of the afflicted person and the accessibility of God's provision for cleansing.

**What is the significance of the "earthen vessel" in this ritual?**

Answer: The "earthen vessel" (כְּלִי־חֶרֶשׂ, _keli-cheres_) in which the bird's blood was mixed with running water served a practical purpose as a container, but also carries significant symbolic weight. Earthenware vessels were common, inexpensive, and often disposable. According to Mosaic Law, if an earthen vessel became ritually unclean, it had to be broken, not merely washed ([Leviticus 15:12](/leviticus/15-12 "Leviticus 15:12 - Earthen Vessel Purity")). Its use here for a sacred act highlights that the vessel itself is not the source of purity, but merely a temporary receptacle for the divine elements of cleansing – the blood and the living water. It may also symbolize the common, fragile nature of humanity, within which God's powerful work of purification takes place, emphasizing that the power of cleansing comes from God, not the container.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:5, with its vivid imagery of a substitutionary death and cleansing "running water," finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The killing of one bird, shedding its blood in an earthen vessel, powerfully foreshadows the sacrificial death of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus Christ, whose perfect and sinless life was given as the ultimate atonement for humanity's sin. Just as the bird's death was necessary for the *tzara'at* sufferer's purification, Christ's death on the cross provides the [once-for-all sacrifice](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Sacrifice") that cleanses us from all spiritual impurity and sin, making us truly clean before a holy God. Furthermore, the "running water" (מַיִם חַיִּים, _mayim chayyim_) points directly to the [living water](/john/4-10 "John 4:4 - Jesus Offers Living Water") that Jesus offers, which is the Holy Spirit, who cleanses, renews, and indwells believers, granting them spiritual life and enabling them to walk in purity. Christ is not only the perfect sacrifice but also our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), who, unlike the Levitical priests, offered Himself as the spotless sacrifice and continually intercedes for us, bringing about our complete and lasting restoration to fellowship with God. The entire ritual, centered on death, blood, and living water, culminates in the glorious reality of new life and freedom found only in Christ, who has conquered sin and death, allowing us to [draw near to God with a true heart](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Draw Near with a True Heart").

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

Hebrews 2:14

¶ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Leviticus 14:50

And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:

2 Corinthians 5:1

¶ For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Numbers 5:17

And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put [it] into the water:

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

2 Corinthians 13:4

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.