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.

And he that is to be cleansed {H2891} shall wash {H3526} his clothes {H899}, and shave {H1548} off all his hair {H8181}, and wash {H7364} himself in water {H4325}, that he may be clean {H2891}: and after {H310} that he shall come {H935} into the camp {H4264}, and shall tarry {H3427} abroad {H2351} out of his tent {H168} seven {H7651} days {H3117}.

He who is to be purified must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair and bathe himself in water. Then he will be clean; and after that, he may enter the camp; but he must live outside his tent for seven days.

The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be ceremonially clean. Afterward, he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent for seven days.

And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and bathe himself in water; and he shall be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, but shall dwell outside his tent seven days.

Commentary

Leviticus 14:8 details a crucial step in the purification process for an Israelite who had recovered from tzara'at, a severe skin affliction often translated as "leprosy." This verse outlines the actions required for the individual to begin the reintegration into the Israelite community after being declared healed by the priest.

Context

This verse is part of an extensive section in the Book of Leviticus (chapters 13-14) that provides detailed instructions concerning the diagnosis, isolation, and purification rituals for various skin diseases and mildew. The person afflicted with tzara'at was considered ritually unclean and had to live outside the camp, separated from the community and the Tabernacle, which represented God's presence. Leviticus 14 describes the two-stage purification process after the priest had examined the individual and found them healed. Verse 8 belongs to the first stage, preparing the individual for partial re-entry into the camp, though not yet into their own tent.

Key Themes

  • Ritual Purity and Holiness: The meticulous steps underscore God's demand for ritual purity among His people, essential for maintaining the holiness of the camp where He dwelt. This physical cleansing mirrored a spiritual aspiration.
  • Thorough Cleansing: The actions—washing clothes, shaving all hair, and bathing—symbolized a radical break from the defiled state. Shaving all hair, including eyebrows and body hair, was a profound act of purification, signifying a complete renewal.
  • Gradual Reintegration: The command to "tarry abroad out of his tent seven days" indicates a period of observation and continued separation before full re-entry into family life and society. This was a testament to the seriousness of the former defilement and the importance of complete restoration.
  • Community and Separation: The law ensured the health and spiritual integrity of the community by separating the unclean, while also providing a clear path for the cleansed to rejoin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cleanse" here is tahor, meaning to be ritually pure or clean, free from defilement. The instruction to "shave off all his hair" uses the verb galach, which denotes a complete shaving, emphasizing the radical nature of this purification step. This thoroughness was a visible sign of the individual's transition from a state of intense uncleanness to one of readiness for renewed fellowship with God and His people in the Israelite camp.

Practical Application

While the specific ritual of Leviticus 14:8 is not practiced today, its underlying principles offer valuable insights for believers. It symbolizes the profound cleansing from sin that is necessary for fellowship with a holy God. Just as the Israelite underwent a complete outward cleansing, believers are called to put off the "old man" and be renewed in spirit, embracing a new life in Christ. This spiritual transformation is vividly described in passages like Ephesians 4:22-24, which speaks of "putting off the old man with his deeds" and "putting on the new man." The process of sanctification is ongoing, requiring us to continually cleanse ourselves from defilement and draw nearer to God, who desires us to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16).

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 11:25 (5 votes)

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

  • Numbers 8:7 (3 votes)

    And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and [so] make themselves clean.

  • 1 Peter 3:21 (3 votes)

    ¶ The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

  • Leviticus 14:20 (2 votes)

    And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meat offering upon the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean.

  • Revelation 1:5 (2 votes)

    And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

  • Revelation 1:6 (2 votes)

    And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

  • Leviticus 14:9 (2 votes)

    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.