Leviticus 14:50

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall kill {H7819} the one {H259} of the birds {H6833} in an earthen {H2789} vessel {H3627} over running {H2416} water {H4325}:

Complete Jewish Bible

He is to slaughter one of the birds in a clay pot over running water.

Berean Standard Bible

and he shall slaughter one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:50 describes a pivotal moment in the purification ritual for an individual declared clean from *tzara'at*, a severe skin condition. This verse precisely details the sacrifice of one of two birds, specifying its execution in an earthen vessel over flowing, living water. This act, rich in symbolism, underscores the gravity of impurity, the necessity of substitutionary atonement, and God's provision for cleansing and restoration within the Old Covenant ceremonial law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14:50 is embedded within the detailed instructions for the purification of a person healed from *tzara'at*, a condition often translated as leprosy but encompassing a broader range of severe skin ailments (Leviticus 13). The chapter outlines a two-stage purification process. Verses 1-9 describe the initial phase performed outside the camp, focusing on the use of two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. Our verse, Leviticus 14:50, specifically details the killing of the first bird, a foundational act that precedes the dipping of the second bird in its blood and the subsequent release of the living bird into the open field (Leviticus 14:7). This ritualistic sequence emphasizes the transfer of impurity, the shedding of blood for atonement, and the symbolic restoration to life and community. The subsequent verses (Leviticus 14:10-32) detail the second phase of purification, involving various offerings at the tabernacle, including a guilt offering, sin offering, and burnt offering, along with anointing with oil, culminating in the individual's full reintegration into the community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Israelite understanding of purity and impurity was central to their covenant relationship with God. *Tzara'at* was not merely a physical disease but carried profound spiritual and social implications, rendering an individual ritually unclean and necessitating separation from the community and the tabernacle (see [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases")). The purification ritual, as detailed in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing from Skin Diseases"), was therefore crucial for restoring the affected individual to both ritual purity and social communion. The use of birds in sacrifice, particularly in this dual manner, was unique to this purification rite, symbolizing both death for atonement and life for restoration. Earthenware vessels were common household items, often disposable after sacred or unclean use, underscoring the temporary and ritualistic nature of the act. The requirement of "running water" (Hebrew: *mayim chayim*, "living water") was vital in many purification ceremonies (e.g., [Numbers 19:17](/numbers/19-17 "Numbers 19:17 - Water of Cleansing")), signifying fresh, life-giving, and inherently pure water, essential for washing away defilement and symbolizing renewal. These elements collectively highlight the meticulousness of God's law and the profound theological truths embedded in seemingly simple ritual acts, all designed to teach Israel about holiness, sin, and divine provision for restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bird (Hebrew, _tsippor'_):** The Hebrew word *tsippor* refers generally to any small bird. In this ritual, two such birds are specifically chosen, one to be killed and the other to be released. The selection of a bird, rather than a larger animal, for this particular purification ceremony is notable. It suggests a focus on the defilement's nature, which, while serious, did not require the complete burnt offering of a bull or lamb, but rather a symbolic life given and a life set free, representing the transition from isolation and impurity to freedom and reintegration.
* **Earthen Vessel (Hebrew, _keli cheres'_):** A common, inexpensive clay pot. Its use here emphasizes the sacredness of the act, as such vessels, once used for ritual purposes involving blood or impurity, were often considered defiled and subsequently broken (Leviticus 15:12) or consecrated for that specific use only. This highlights the temporary nature of the vessel and, by extension, the ritual itself, pointing to something more permanent. It also underscores the accessibility of the ritual, as the vessel was not a rare or costly item.
* **Running Water (Hebrew, _mayim chayim'_):** Literally "living water." This term denotes fresh, flowing water from a spring, river, or well, as opposed to stagnant water from a cistern or pool. In ancient Israelite thought, *mayim chayim* was intrinsically associated with purity, life, and renewal. Its use was mandated for various purification rites (e.g., Numbers 19:17 for the water of purification from corpse defilement), signifying a dynamic, life-giving force capable of washing away defilement and bringing about true cleansing and refreshment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall kill the one of the birds":** This clause specifies the action of the priest, who is to slaughter one of the two live birds brought for the purification. The killing of the bird is a substitutionary act, signifying that the *tzara'at* had brought a form of "death" or separation, and a life must be given to atone for this state of impurity. The blood of this sacrificed bird is essential for the subsequent steps of the ritual, serving as the medium for cleansing.
* **"in an earthen vessel":** The location for the sacrifice is precisely prescribed: within a clay pot. This vessel serves to contain the blood of the sacrificed bird, ensuring its collection for the sprinkling ritual. The choice of an earthen vessel, a common and breakable item, contrasts with more durable or precious temple vessels, perhaps indicating the personal and immediate nature of this initial purification step, performed outside the camp.
* **"over running water":** The phrase "over running water" indicates that the bird is killed in the earthen vessel *containing* or *above* fresh, flowing water. As the bird's blood is shed, it mixes with this "living water." This mixture of blood and living water forms the essential element for the subsequent sprinkling ritual (Leviticus 14:6-7), symbolizing both the life given (blood) and the life restored and purified (living water). The dynamic nature of "running water" emphasizes a complete and active cleansing, washing away the defilement of *tzara'at*.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:50, though a prescriptive verse, employs significant **Symbolism** and **Metonymy**. The entire ritual involving the two birds is deeply symbolic. The killing of the first bird symbolizes the death required for atonement and the gravity of impurity, while its blood, mixed with "living water," becomes the agent of cleansing. The earthen vessel, a common and fragile item, symbolizes human fragility and the temporary nature of the ritual itself, pointing to a greater, more enduring reality. The "running water" (mayim chayim) is a powerful symbol of life, purity, and renewal, actively washing away defilement. **Metonymy** is present in the "blood" of the bird, which stands for the life of the creature (Leviticus 17:11), and by extension, the life given in substitution for the defiled individual. The ritual as a whole functions as an **Allegory** or **Type**, pointing forward to the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Christ, where true and lasting cleansing is found.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The ritual described in Leviticus 14:50, with its emphasis on substitutionary death and cleansing by blood and living water, is profoundly theological. It underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin and impurity, which necessitate a life given for atonement. The shedding of the bird's blood, combined with the life-giving "running water," prefigures the ultimate means of purification. This Old Covenant ceremony, while specific to *tzara'at*, reveals a universal principle: that true cleansing from defilement, whether physical or spiritual, requires a divine provision involving sacrifice and renewal. It teaches that God Himself establishes the means by which His people can be made clean and restored to fellowship, demonstrating His desire for their holiness and well-being.
* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood There is No Forgiveness")
* [Ezekiel 36:25](/ezekiel/36-25 "Ezekiel 36:25 - Sprinkling with Clean Water")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of Leviticus 14:50 is no longer practiced by believers today, its underlying principles offer timeless insights for our spiritual lives. This ancient ceremony reminds us of the profound truth that sin and spiritual impurity are not trivial matters; they create a barrier between us and a holy God, requiring a serious and divinely appointed remedy. The meticulousness of the ritual highlights God's unwavering commitment to holiness and His gracious provision for cleansing. For us, this translates into a deeper appreciation for the complete and unmerited cleansing offered through Christ. We are called to reflect on the cost of our redemption and to live in a manner that honors the purity and new life we have received, continually seeking to walk in holiness and gratitude for God's merciful provision.
#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed nature of this ancient purification ritual deepen your understanding of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin?**
* **In what ways does the symbolism of the sacrificed bird and the "running water" speak to your own need for spiritual cleansing and renewal?**
* **Considering the ultimate fulfillment of this ritual in Christ, how does this passage encourage you to live a life of greater purity and gratitude?**

### FAQ
**Why were two birds used in this ritual, and what did each represent?**

Answer: Two birds were used to symbolize both the seriousness of the defilement and the complete restoration. The first bird was killed (Leviticus 14:50), representing the death required for atonement and the gravity of the *tzara'at* that had separated the person. Its blood was used for cleansing. The second bird, dipped in the blood of the first, was then released into the open field (Leviticus 14:7). This living bird, carrying the symbolic impurity away, represented the life restored, the freedom from defilement, and the reintegration of the cleansed individual back into the community. It was a powerful visual of death and new life.

**What is the significance of "running water" (mayim chayim) in this context?**

Answer: "Running water" (Hebrew: *mayim chayim*) refers to fresh, flowing water from a natural source like a spring or river, as opposed to stagnant water. Its significance lies in its intrinsic association with life, purity, and renewal. In many Old Testament purification rituals, *mayim chayim* was essential because it symbolized a dynamic, life-giving force that truly cleanses and washes away defilement. Its use here emphasizes the thoroughness and efficacy of the purification, pointing to a complete washing away of the impurity associated with *tzara'at*. This concept of "living water" also finds profound spiritual resonance in the New Testament, particularly in Jesus's teachings (e.g., [John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:50, with its depiction of a bird's life sacrificed in an earthen vessel over "running water" for cleansing, finds its profound and ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The death of the first bird, a substitutionary act for the defiled individual, prefigures the perfect and singular sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus Christ, whose innocent life was given for the sin of humanity. Just as the blood of the bird provided ceremonial cleansing, so the precious [blood of Christ](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Precious Blood") offers true and eternal purification from all sin, making us truly clean before a holy God (see [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). Furthermore, the "running water" (mayim chayim) that mixed with the bird's blood points forward to Christ as the source of true spiritual "living water" (as He declared in [John 7:38](/john/7-38 "John 7:38 - Rivers of Living Water")), which brings eternal life and spiritual refreshment to all who believe. The entire ritual, from the death of the one to the freedom of the other, beautifully illustrates the Gospel: Christ died for our impurities and sins, and through His death, we are set free and restored to fellowship with God, no longer separated by our spiritual *tzara'at* but made perfectly clean in Him (compare [Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Made Alive with Christ")).

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.