Leviticus 14:55

KJV

And for the leprosy of a garment, and of a house,

KJV (with Strong's)

And for the leprosy {H6883} of a garment {H899}, and of a house {H1004},

Complete Jewish Bible

for tzara'at in a garment, for a house,

Berean Standard Bible

for mildew in clothing or in a house,

American Standard Version

and for the leprosy of a garment, and for a house,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:55 functions as a pivotal concluding statement within the extensive legal corpus of *tzara'at* regulations, specifically summarizing the divine directives concerning this ritual impurity as it manifested on garments and within houses. This verse encapsulates God's meticulous concern for the comprehensive purity of the Israelite community, demonstrating that defilement—whether physical or spiritual—could permeate every facet of daily life, necessitating thorough inspection, quarantine, and prescribed purification rituals to uphold the sanctity required by God for His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14:55 serves as the penultimate verse in a substantial two-chapter section (Leviticus 13-14) dedicated to the intricate laws of *tzara'at*. Chapter 13 meticulously details the diagnosis and management of *tzara'at* on human skin, outlining the precise procedures for priestly examination, quarantine, and the declaration of clean or unclean status. Following this, Chapter 14 elaborates on the elaborate purification rites for an individual cleansed of *tzara'at*, before shifting focus to specific instructions for *tzara'at* on garments, as outlined in [Leviticus 13:47-59](/leviticus/13-47-59 "Leviticus 13:47-59 - Laws for Garment Tzara'at"), and subsequently on houses, detailed in [Leviticus 14:33-53](/leviticus/14-33-53 "Leviticus 14:33-53 - Laws for House Tzara'at"). Verse 55, alongside verse 56, acts as a concluding recapitulation, emphasizing that the preceding comprehensive instructions apply to all forms of *tzara'at* discussed, thereby reinforcing the gravity and breadth of these purity regulations within the Mosaic Law. It signals the completion of this specific legal corpus, preparing the reader for the subsequent laws concerning bodily discharges in [Leviticus 15](/leviticus/15 "Leviticus 15 - Laws Concerning Bodily Discharges").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, purity laws were foundational to their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, who is perfectly holy. The Hebrew term *tzara'at* (צָרַעַת) referred to a broader category of afflictions than modern-day Hansen's disease (leprosy), encompassing various skin conditions, as well as aggressive mold or mildew-like growths on textiles and building materials. These conditions were not merely medical but carried profound ritual implications, rendering individuals, their possessions, and even their homes ritually unclean. Such uncleanness necessitated separation from the community and the sacred space of the Tabernacle, as defilement could compromise the sanctity of God's dwelling among His people. The detailed regulations in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws of Tzara'at on Skin") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Purification from Tzara'at") highlight the pervasive nature of impurity and God's demand for a holy environment for His presence. The priest's role was crucial, acting as the divinely appointed diagnostician and overseer of purification rituals, thereby maintaining the spiritual, social, and communal well-being of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader *tzara'at* legislation, contributes significantly to several key themes pervasive throughout Leviticus. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing God's absolute demand for a people and an environment set apart for Him, free from defilement. The meticulous rules for garments and houses demonstrate that impurity is not confined to the individual but can permeate every aspect of life, requiring comprehensive cleansing. Secondly, the laws highlight the theme of **Divine Authority and Order**, as God Himself prescribes the precise methods for dealing with impurity, establishing a divine order for communal life. The priest's role as the arbiter of clean and unclean status reinforces the structured nature of this divine order. Finally, the regulations point to the theme of **Atonement and Restoration**, as the elaborate purification rituals, including sacrifices in some cases (e.g., [Leviticus 14:1-32](/leviticus/14-1-32 "Leviticus 14:1-32 - Purification Ritual for a Cleansed Leper")), provided a pathway for the unclean to be restored to fellowship with God and the community, foreshadowing the ultimate restoration available through Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **leprosy (Hebrew, _tsâraʻath'_):** This Hebrew term, H6883, often translated "leprosy" in older English versions, refers to a range of ritual impurities or afflictions. It is a broad category that includes not only certain skin diseases but also aggressive fungal or mold-like growths that could appear on textiles and within the plaster and stones of houses. The common thread is that these conditions rendered a person, object, or place ritually unclean, requiring specific priestly examination and purification rites to restore ceremonial purity and allow reintegration into the holy community. Its application to inanimate objects underscores its nature as a spiritual "plague" or defilement rather than solely a medical condition.
* **garment (Hebrew, _beged'_):** H899, referring to clothing, typically made of linen or wool, which were common materials in ancient Israel. The laws concerning *tzara'at* on garments (Leviticus 13:47-59) indicate that these growths could appear as greenish or reddish spots that spread. If the "plague" was persistent and malignant, the garment had to be burned, demonstrating the severity of the defilement and the need for thorough removal to prevent its spread within the community and to protect the sanctity of the camp.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** H1004, referring to a dwelling place, a physical structure where people lived. The laws concerning *tzara'at* on houses (Leviticus 14:33-53) describe similar greenish or reddish spots on the walls, indicative of a pervasive and destructive mold or mildew. If the "plague" was malignant and persistent after initial attempts at removal, the house had to be torn down and its materials removed from the camp to an unclean place, signifying a complete eradication of the defilement that had permeated the very living space of the Israelites.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And for the leprosy of a garment":** This clause serves as a direct reference to the detailed regulations previously outlined in [Leviticus 13:47-59](/leviticus/13-47-59 "Leviticus 13:47-59 - Laws for Garment Tzara'at"). It encompasses the meticulous process of priestly inspection for any garment suspected of having *tzara'at*, the prescribed seven-day quarantine period, and the subsequent actions of washing, tearing, or ultimately burning the garment, depending on whether the "plague" was contained or spread. This highlights that even personal possessions, integral to daily life, could become sources of ritual impurity, necessitating careful attention and divine protocol to maintain the overall purity of the Israelite camp and prevent the spread of defilement.
* **"and of a house":** This clause refers to the specific laws detailed in [Leviticus 14:33-53](/leviticus/14-33-53 "Leviticus 14:33-53 - Laws for House Tzara'at"). It describes the solemn process initiated when a "plague" of *tzara'at* was discovered in a dwelling. The priest would be summoned for inspection, the house would be emptied and quarantined, and if the "plague" persisted after initial attempts at removing affected stones and plaster, the entire house had to be demolished. Its materials were then taken outside the camp to an unclean place. This demonstrates that defilement could permeate even the most fundamental and intimate aspects of daily life, requiring radical and comprehensive measures to ensure the holiness of the community and protect God's presence within it.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:55, as a summary statement, primarily employs **Recapitulation**, drawing together the specific types of *tzara'at* discussed in the preceding sections (garments and houses) to emphasize the comprehensive scope of these purity laws. The concept of *tzara'at* itself functions powerfully as **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical affliction but a broader spiritual defilement or impurity that could affect individuals, their possessions, and their living spaces. This pervasive nature of *tzara'at* symbolically underscores the insidious and comprehensive reach of sin and its capacity to corrupt every aspect of life, necessitating thorough and divinely prescribed cleansing. The meticulous detail throughout Leviticus 13-14, which this verse summarizes, also serves as a form of **Hyperbole**, where the extreme specificity and severity of the laws emphasize God's absolute demand for holiness and the utter seriousness with which defilement was to be treated in the covenant community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The laws concerning *tzara'at* on garments and houses, succinctly summarized in Leviticus 14:55, profoundly underscore God's pervasive concern for holiness and purity within His covenant people. These regulations illustrate that defilement is not confined to the individual but can permeate their environment and possessions, symbolically reflecting how sin can corrupt every aspect of human existence. God's meticulous instructions for inspection, quarantine, and purification reveal His desire for a people set apart, reflecting His own perfect holiness, and demonstrate that He provides the means for cleansing and restoration from all forms of impurity. The priestly role in discerning and declaring purity also foreshadows the need for a divine mediator to address humanity's deep-seated defilement and reconcile them to a holy God.

* [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned and Fall Short of the Glory of God")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual laws of Leviticus belong to the Old Covenant and are not literally applicable to New Testament believers, they offer profound spiritual lessons for our lives today. The pervasive nature of *tzara'at*, affecting individuals, their clothing, and their homes, serves as a powerful metaphor for the insidious and comprehensive reach of sin. Just as *tzara'at* required meticulous inspection and radical measures for cleansing, so too does sin demand honest self-examination and decisive action. We are called to discern areas of spiritual defilement in our lives—our thoughts, words, actions, and even the "garments" of our habits and the "houses" of our relationships and environments. This prompts us to seek God's purification continually, not by ritual sacrifice, but through the cleansing power of Christ's blood and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Our pursuit of holiness should be comprehensive, reflecting God's desire for our entire being to be set apart for Him, living in a manner that pleases Him and reflects His character to the world, thereby honoring His indwelling presence within us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "garments" (habits, attitudes, or external expressions) or "houses" (relationships, environments, or inner thoughts) in my life might spiritual "defilement" be present?**
* **How does the meticulousness of the *tzara'at* laws challenge my approach to discerning and addressing sin in my own life?**
* **What practical steps can I take to invite God's purifying work into areas of my life that may be spiritually unclean?**
* **How does understanding God's pervasive concern for purity in the Old Testament deepen my appreciation for the comprehensive cleansing offered through Christ in the New Testament?**

### FAQ

**What is *tzara'at* and why is it applied to garments and houses?**

Answer: *Tzara'at* (צָרַעַת) is the Hebrew term often translated as "leprosy" in older English Bibles, but it refers to a broader category of ritual impurities. It included specific skin conditions, but also aggressive mold or mildew-like growths that could appear on woven materials (garments) and within the plaster and stones of houses. It's applied to garments and houses because it signified a pervasive defilement that could affect not just individuals, but their possessions and living spaces, underscoring God's demand for comprehensive purity within the Israelite community and highlighting that impurity could spread beyond the individual.

**Why did God care so much about mold or mildew in houses and on clothes?**

Answer: God's concern went beyond mere hygiene; it was fundamentally about holiness and the integrity of the covenant community. The presence of *tzara'at* on garments or in houses was a visible sign of defilement that could compromise the sanctity of the Israelite camp, where God's presence dwelt in the Tabernacle. These laws taught the Israelites about the pervasive nature of impurity (symbolic of sin) and the necessity of radical measures to remove it, ensuring that God's people lived in a state of ceremonial purity that reflected His own perfect holiness. It emphasized that defilement could permeate every aspect of life, and God desired a comprehensive cleansing for His people to remain in proper relationship with Him.

**Are the laws concerning *tzara'at* still relevant for believers today?**

Answer: While the specific ritual laws of Leviticus are part of the Old Covenant and are not literally binding on New Testament believers, their underlying theological principles remain profoundly relevant. They teach us about the pervasive nature of sin, God's absolute holiness, His demand for purity, and His provision for cleansing. These laws point us to the ultimate and complete cleansing found in [Jesus Christ](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Cleansing Blood"), who cleanses us not just ceremonially but spiritually from all sin. They encourage us to pursue holiness in all areas of our lives, recognizing that God desires us to be set apart for Him, free from spiritual defilement, and to live lives that honor Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous laws concerning *tzara'at* on garments and houses, summarized in Leviticus 14:55, find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. These Old Testament regulations, with their emphasis on pervasive defilement and the need for radical cleansing and priestly intervention, vividly prefigure the universal reality of sin and the comprehensive salvation offered through the Messiah. Just as the ancient Israelite priest diagnosed and declared *tzara'at*, and oversaw the cleansing rituals, so too does [Jesus, our Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Our Great High Priest"), discern the spiritual defilement of humanity. Unlike the temporary and external cleansing offered by the Levitical system, Christ's sacrifice on the cross provides a complete and internal purification, cleansing us from all sin—the spiritual *tzara'at* that permeates every aspect of our being ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing Blood of Christ")). He is the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose blood cleanses our consciences from dead works to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Cleansing Blood")), making us truly clean and fit to dwell in God's presence forever. Through Him, the "garments" of our lives and the "houses" of our hearts are made pure, fulfilling the deep longing for holiness expressed in these ancient laws and enabling us to [draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith](/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

Leviticus 13:47

¶ The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, [whether it be] a woollen garment, or a linen garment;

Leviticus 13:59

This [is] the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.