Leviticus 14:51

KJV

And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times:

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall take {H3947} the cedar {H730} wood {H6086}, and the hyssop {H231}, and the scarlet {H8144}{H8438}, and the living {H2416} bird {H6833}, and dip {H2881} them in the blood {H1818} of the slain {H7819} bird {H6833}, and in the running {H2416} water {H4325}, and sprinkle {H5137} the house {H1004} seven {H7651} times {H6471}:

Complete Jewish Bible

He is to take the cedar-wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn and the live bird and dip them in the blood of the slaughtered bird and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.

Berean Standard Bible

Then he shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn, and the live bird, dip them in the blood of the slaughtered bird and the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times.

American Standard Version

and he shall take the cedar-wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:51 details the climactic moment in the purification ritual for a house afflicted with a "leprous plague," likely a severe mold or mildew. The verse describes the priest taking specific elements—cedar wood, hyssop, scarlet material, and a living bird—dipping them into a mixture of the slain bird's blood and running water, and then sprinkling the house seven times. This meticulous act symbolized the thorough cleansing and restoration of the defiled dwelling to a state of ritual purity, allowing it to be re-integrated into the holy community of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14 is dedicated to the elaborate purification rituals for individuals and houses afflicted with *tzara'at*, often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing various skin diseases and, in the case of houses, a persistent fungal or mold growth. The chapter begins with the purification of a person (Leviticus 14:1-32) and then transitions to the purification of a house (Leviticus 14:33-53). Our verse, Leviticus 14:51, falls within the latter section, specifically describing the final, most intensive phase of the house's cleansing. It follows the initial inspection by the priest (Leviticus 14:34-38), the isolation period (Leviticus 14:39-42), and the subsequent re-inspection. If the plague persisted, the house was demolished (Leviticus 14:43-45). If it was deemed curable, the ritual involving the two birds commenced (Leviticus 14:48-50), with one bird slain and its blood collected, leading directly to the actions described in this verse. The entire process underscores God's meticulous concern for purity within the community and His provision for dealing with defilement.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, purity laws were central to their covenant relationship with God. Defilement, whether from disease, bodily emissions, or contact with the dead, rendered an individual or object ritually unclean, temporarily excluding them from full participation in the community and worship. The "leprous plague" in a house was not merely a structural problem but a spiritual defilement, threatening the holiness of the dwelling and, by extension, the community. The meticulous nature of the ritual reflects the pervasive understanding of God's absolute holiness and His demand for a holy people living in a holy land. The materials chosen for the purification—cedar wood, hyssop, scarlet, and running water—were not arbitrary. Cedar was known for its durability and resistance to decay, hyssop for its cleansing properties (often used for sprinkling, as seen in [Exodus 12:22](/exodus/12-22 "Exodus 12:22 - Hyssop for Passover Blood") and [Psalm 51:7](/psalms/51-7 "Psalm 51:7 - Purge me with hyssop")), scarlet for its vibrant color often associated with life or atonement, and running water (*mayim chayim*) for its inherent purity and life-giving qualities, contrasting with stagnant water. The entire ceremony was designed to remove the defilement completely, restoring the house to a state where God's presence could dwell among His people without hindrance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cedar wood (Hebrew, _erez'_):** Cedar was a highly valued, durable, and aromatic wood, often associated with permanence, majesty, and strength (e.g., used in the Temple construction, [1 Kings 5:6](/1_kings/5-6 "1 Kings 5:6 - Cedar for the Temple")). In purification rites, its inclusion likely symbolized the lasting and robust nature of the cleansing, ensuring the defilement was thoroughly and permanently removed. It represented a strong, resilient foundation for renewed purity.
* **Hyssop (Hebrew, _ezov'_):** A small, humble plant with bristly branches, hyssop was commonly used for sprinkling liquids in purification rituals due to its absorbent and spreading properties. Its repeated use in various cleansing ceremonies (e.g., the Passover, [Exodus 12:22](/exodus/12-22 "Exodus 12:22 - Hyssop and Passover Blood"); purification from sin, [Psalm 51:7](/psalms/51-7 "Psalm 51:7 - Purge me with Hyssop")) points to its symbolic role in conveying cleansing and humility, emphasizing that even a small, seemingly insignificant plant could be an instrument of divine purification.
* **Scarlet (Hebrew, _tola'at shani'_):** This vibrant red material, often derived from a worm, carried rich symbolic weight. It could represent vitality, life, or even the intensity of sin (as in [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - Sins as Scarlet")). In the context of purification, particularly when combined with blood, scarlet often pointed to the life-giving or life-restoring power of the sacrifice, signifying the removal of defilement and the return to a state of health and vigor. Its vivid color might also emphasize the visible and complete nature of the cleansing.
* **Running water (Hebrew, _mayim chayim'_):** Literally "living water," this refers to fresh, flowing spring water, as opposed to stagnant or collected water. It is a potent symbol of purity, life, and renewal throughout scripture. In this ritual, its dynamic, life-giving quality underscores the active and complete washing away of defilement, bringing vitality and freshness back to the defiled object.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird":** This clause lists the specific elements the priest gathers for the final stage of the purification. These items, each with its own symbolic significance, are prepared for immersion in the cleansing mixture. The inclusion of the "living bird" is crucial, as it represents the life that is preserved and released, contrasting with the bird that was slain.
* **"and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water":** The priest combines the symbolic elements (cedar, hyssop, scarlet, living bird) by dipping them into a mixture of the blood of the sacrificed bird and fresh, flowing water. This act merges the concepts of atonement (blood) and purification/renewal (water), indicating that the cleansing is both costly and life-giving. The blood signifies a covering or propitiation for the defilement, while the running water ensures thorough washing away.
* **"and sprinkle the house seven times":** This final action is the application of the cleansing mixture to the house. The act of "sprinkling" is a common biblical method for purification and consecration. The number "seven" is highly symbolic in biblical numerology, often signifying completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. Sprinkling seven times emphasizes the absolute thoroughness, efficacy, and divine authorization of the purification, ensuring the house is completely cleansed and restored to a state of ritual purity before God.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:51 is rich in **Symbolism**, where each element of the ritual carries deeper meaning beyond its literal form. The **cedar wood** symbolizes permanence and strength, pointing to a lasting purification. **Hyssop** represents humility and the efficacy of cleansing, even through seemingly simple means. **Scarlet** signifies life, vitality, and the intensity of the cleansing process, often linked to the life-giving power of blood. The **slain bird's blood** is a profound symbol of atonement and the cost of purification, while the **living bird** represents the release from defilement and the restoration to life and freedom. **Running water** (*mayim chayayim*) is a universal symbol of purity, life, and renewal, emphasizing the active washing away of defilement. Furthermore, the instruction to sprinkle "seven times" employs **Numerology**, where the number seven consistently denotes completeness, perfection, or divine fullness in biblical contexts, underscoring the absolute and divinely sanctioned thoroughness of the purification ritual.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 14:51 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering demand for holiness and His gracious provision for dealing with defilement within His covenant community. The elaborate ritual for a defiled house highlights that sin and impurity are not merely individual matters but can impact environments and communities, necessitating a comprehensive cleansing. The use of blood points to the principle that life is required for atonement and purification, while running water signifies the active washing away of impurity and the restoration of vitality. The meticulous nature and the "seven times" sprinkling underscore God's desire for a complete and perfect cleansing, ensuring that His people and their dwelling places reflect His holy character. This ritual, though specific to the Old Covenant, foreshadows a greater and more comprehensive purification.

* [Numbers 19:18](/numbers/19-18 "Numbers 19:18 - Purification with Hyssop and Water")
* [Psalm 51:7](/psalms/51-7 "Psalm 51:7 - Purge Me with Hyssop")
* [Hebrews 9:19](/hebrews/9-19 "Hebrews 9:19 - Sprinkling with Blood and Water")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of cleansing a "leprous" house is no longer practiced, Leviticus 14:51 offers timeless spiritual insights into God's character and our need for purity. It reminds us that God desires holiness not only in our hearts but also in our environments and relationships. Just as the physical defilement of the house required a thorough, divinely prescribed cleansing, so too does spiritual defilement—sin—require a complete and comprehensive work of purification. This passage prompts us to consider areas in our lives, our homes, and our communities that may be spiritually defiled or hindering our walk with God. It emphasizes that superficial cleansing is insufficient; God calls for a deep, complete, and lasting purification that touches every aspect of our being and surroundings. This thoroughness ultimately points us to the complete work of Christ, who provides the ultimate cleansing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "defilements" (sins, unholy influences, unhealthy patterns) in my life or environment might be hindering my spiritual walk or my relationship with God?**
* **How does the thoroughness of this ancient ritual (sprinkling seven times) challenge my understanding of spiritual cleansing and repentance? Am I seeking a superficial or a complete purification?**
* **In what ways can I actively participate in "cleansing" my personal space, relationships, and digital environment to better reflect God's holiness?**

### FAQ

**What was the "leprous plague" in a house?**

Answer: The "leprous plague" (Hebrew: *tzara'at habayit*) affecting a house, as described in Leviticus 14, was not human leprosy but rather a severe, defiling mold, mildew, or fungal growth that spread on the walls and fabric of the dwelling. It was considered a spiritual defilement that rendered the house ritually unclean, potentially making it uninhabitable for a holy people. The meticulous ritual was designed to either remove this defilement or, if incurable, to necessitate the demolition of the house to prevent further contamination within the community.

**Why were these specific items (cedar wood, hyssop, scarlet) used in the purification?**

Answer: Each item carried symbolic significance. **Cedar wood** (Hebrew: *erez*) was known for its durability and resistance to decay, symbolizing lasting purity and strength. **Hyssop** (Hebrew: *ezov*) was a small plant commonly used for sprinkling in purification rites (e.g., [Exodus 12:22](/exodus/12-22 "Exodus 12:22 - Hyssop for Passover Blood")), symbolizing humility and the ability to cleanse. **Scarlet** (Hebrew: *tola'at shani*) was a vibrant red material, often associated with life, vitality, or the intensity of the cleansing process, and in some contexts, with sin that needs to be removed (as in [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - Sins as Scarlet")). Together, these elements, combined with blood and running water, represented a comprehensive and potent means of purification.

**What is the significance of "sprinkling the house seven times"?**

Answer: The number seven holds profound symbolic meaning in biblical numerology, often representing completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. Sprinkling the house "seven times" emphasizes the absolute thoroughness, efficacy, and divine authorization of the purification ritual. It signifies that the cleansing was not partial or superficial, but complete and divinely ordained, ensuring the house was fully restored to a state of ritual purity and acceptable before God. This repetition underscores the seriousness of defilement and the divine desire for perfect holiness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:51, with its intricate details of cleansing a defiled house, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The slain bird, whose blood is used for purification, powerfully prefigures Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, where His shed blood cleanses us from all sin and defilement (as seen in [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Purifies")). Just as the living bird was dipped in the blood and water and then released, symbolizing freedom from the plague, so too are believers, through Christ's sacrifice, set free from the bondage and defilement of sin. The "running water" (*mayim chayim*) used in the ritual foreshadows Jesus as the true "living water" who offers spiritual cleansing and eternal life (as He declares in [John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water") and [John 7:38](/john/7-38 "John 7:38 - Rivers of Living Water")). The thoroughness of the "seven times" sprinkling points to the absolute completeness of the purification offered by Christ; His one-time sacrifice perfectly and eternally cleanses us, making our consciences clean from dead works to serve the living God ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Offering") and [Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Hearts Sprinkled Clean")). Thus, this ancient ritual, with its elements of blood, water, and complete cleansing, beautifully anticipates the perfect and all-sufficient work of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

Psalms 51:7

¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.