Leviticus 14:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But it shall be on the seventh {H7637} day {H3117}, that he shall shave {H1548} all his hair {H8181} off his head {H7218} and his beard {H2206} and his eyebrows {H1354}{H5869}, even all his hair {H8181} he shall shave {H1548} off: and he shall wash {H3526} his clothes {H899}, also he shall wash {H7364} his flesh {H1320} in water {H4325}, and he shall be clean {H2891}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the seventh day he is to shave all the hair off his head, also his beard and eyebrows - he must shave off all his hair; and he is to wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; and he will be clean.

Berean Standard Bible

On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair—his head, his beard, his eyebrows, and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean.

American Standard Version

And 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, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:9 details the climactic and rigorous purification rites for an individual healed of _tzara'at_, a severe skin condition that rendered one ceremonially unclean in ancient Israel. On the seventh day of the purification process, the formerly afflicted person was required to undergo a complete shaving of all body hair and a thorough washing of clothes and flesh. These extreme measures signified a radical, comprehensive removal of all traces of the former defilement, preparing the individual for full ritual purity and subsequent reintegration into the holy community and temple worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14:9 is situated within a highly detailed legal and ritualistic text that governs the diagnosis, isolation, and purification of individuals afflicted with _tzara'at_. Chapters 13 and 14 form a distinct unit, with chapter 13 focusing on the identification and quarantine of the diseased, and chapter 14 outlining the elaborate two-stage purification process. The preceding verses in chapter 14 describe the initial rites performed by the priest outside the camp, involving two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, culminating in the sprinkling of blood and living water seven times upon the one to be cleansed [Leviticus 14:1-7](/leviticus/14-1 "Leviticus 14:1-7 - Initial Cleansing Ritual"). Following this, the cleansed person was permitted to wash their clothes, shave all their hair, and bathe, but was still required to remain outside their tent for seven days [Leviticus 14:8](/leviticus/14-8 "Leviticus 14:8 - Seven Days Outside the Tent"). Verse 9, therefore, describes the final, most intensive physical cleansing on the culmination of this seven-day waiting period, immediately preceding the sacrificial offerings and full re-entry into the camp on the eighth day [Leviticus 14:10-20](/leviticus/14-10 "Leviticus 14:10-20 - Sacrifices for Cleansing").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, _tzara'at_ (often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing a broader range of severe skin conditions, including mold in houses and garments as seen in [Leviticus 14:33-53](/leviticus/14-33 "Leviticus 14:33-53 - Cleansing of a House with Leprosy")) was not merely a physical ailment but carried profound ceremonial and social implications. It was viewed as a visible manifestation of impurity, often associated with sin or divine judgment, leading to immediate exclusion from the community and the sacred space of the camp. This exclusion underscored the absolute holiness of God and the necessity of purity for His people. The shaving of all hair (head, beard, eyebrows) was an act of radical self-abasement and a symbolic stripping away of the old, defiled identity, akin to a ritualistic rebirth or a complete reset. Similar acts of shaving were performed by Nazirites at the completion of their vow [Numbers 6:18](/numbers/6-18 "Numbers 6:18 - Nazirite Vow Completion") or by Levites during their consecration [Numbers 8:7](/numbers/8-7 "Numbers 8:7 - Consecration of Levites"), always signifying a profound transition or dedication. The rigorous washing rituals were standard for purification in the ancient Near East, but in Israel, they were imbued with theological significance, emphasizing God's demand for thorough purity before one could approach Him or participate fully in the covenant community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Seventh Day (יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, _yom hashvi'i'_):** This phrase emphasizes the completion and culmination of the purification process. The number seven in biblical numerology often signifies completeness, perfection, and divine order, echoing the seven days of creation and the Sabbath rest. Here, it marks the end of a period of separation and the readiness for a new state of being, signifying that the cleansing ritual has run its full course, leading to a state of ritual readiness.
* **Shave (גָּלַח, _galach'_):** The Hebrew verb _galach_ denotes a thorough, complete shaving, often to the point of baldness. It is not a mere trim but a radical removal of all hair. This extreme act symbolizes the stripping away of the old, defiled identity associated with _tzara'at_ and the preparation for a new, pure existence. It signifies a comprehensive break from the past state of impurity, leaving no remnant of the former condition.
* **Clean (טָהוֹר, _tahor'_):** This Hebrew adjective signifies ritual purity, making one fit for sacred space, worship, and full participation in the community. It stands in stark contrast to _tameh_ (unclean). The declaration "and he shall be clean" is the divine pronouncement of the successful completion of the ritual, signifying that the individual has met God's requirements for ceremonial purity and is now permitted to re-enter the holy camp and approach the tabernacle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But it shall be on the seventh day,"**: This clause establishes the precise timing for this crucial step in the purification process, highlighting the meticulous, divinely ordained schedule. The "seventh day" carries theological weight, signifying the completion of a cycle and the transition to a new state.
* **"that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off:"**: This command emphasizes the radical and comprehensive nature of the physical cleansing. The repetition of "all his hair" underscores the thoroughness required, leaving no part of the body untouched by this symbolic removal of the old, defiled self. This act was a visible sign of total transformation.
* **"and he shall wash his clothes,"**: This instruction signifies the purification of external coverings, indicating that even that which touches the body and represents one's outward appearance must be cleansed. It is part of the comprehensive ritual to remove any lingering impurity.
* **"also he shall wash his flesh in water,"**: This refers to a full body bath, emphasizing internal and personal cleansing. Combined with the shaving, it represents a complete physical purification, preparing the individual to be ceremonially pure before God.
* **"and he shall be clean."**: This final declaration is the desired outcome and divine pronouncement. It signifies that the individual has successfully completed the prescribed rituals and is now ritually pure (_tahor_), thus permitted to re-enter the community and participate in sacred life.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is prominently used in the phrase "all his hair he shall shave off," which appears twice, emphatically underscoring the absolute and comprehensive nature of the required shaving. This repetition ensures no ambiguity regarding the thoroughness of the purification. **Symbolism** is pervasive throughout the verse; the shaving of all hair symbolizes the stripping away of the old, defiled identity and the preparation for a new, pure existence. The washing of clothes and flesh symbolizes a complete internal and external cleansing. The "seventh day" itself is symbolic, representing completion, perfection, and the culmination of the purification process, echoing divine order and rest. The entire passage functions as a **Ritual**, a prescribed set of actions designed to effect a change in status from unclean to clean, demonstrating God's meticulous requirements for holiness and the pathway to restoration within the covenant community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 14:9 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering demand for holiness and the meticulous provision for purification within the Old Covenant. The extreme measures required—total shaving and comprehensive washing—underscore that impurity is not to be taken lightly and that restoration to God's presence and community necessitates a radical, visible transformation. This physical cleansing ritual foreshadows the deeper spiritual cleansing that God desires for His people, emphasizing that fellowship with a holy God requires a thorough separation from defilement. It highlights the principle that God provides the means for restoration, even from conditions that lead to social and spiritual exclusion, demonstrating His desire for His people to be whole and integrated.

* [Leviticus 14:8](/leviticus/14-8 "Leviticus 14:8 - Initial Cleansing Steps")
* [Numbers 8:7](/numbers/8-7 "Numbers 8:7 - Consecration of Levites")
* [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Superiority of Christ's Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ceremonial laws of Leviticus are no longer binding on New Covenant believers, the underlying spiritual principles remain profoundly relevant. The thoroughness of the cleansing in Leviticus 14:9 serves as a powerful metaphor for the radical transformation God desires in our lives through Christ. Just as the person with _tzara'at_ had to shed all visible signs of their former defilement, we are called to "put off" the old self with its sinful practices and "put on" the new self, created in righteousness and holiness [Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting Off the Old Self"). This spiritual cleansing is not achieved through outward rituals but through genuine repentance and faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ, whose blood cleanses us from all sin, offering a far more profound and lasting purity than any physical washing. This verse reminds us that true spiritual restoration involves a comprehensive break from our past sinful state and a commitment to living a life consecrated to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the extreme thoroughness of this cleansing ritual reveal about God's view of sin and impurity?**
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to a "radical shaving" or "thorough washing" of old habits or attitudes?**
* **How does the physical restoration of the _tzara'at_ sufferer point to the spiritual restoration available through Christ?**

### FAQ
**What was _tzara'at_ and why did it require such an extreme cleansing ritual?**

Answer: _Tzara'at_ was a severe skin condition (or even mold in houses/garments) that rendered an individual ceremonially unclean in ancient Israel, leading to their exclusion from the community and the tabernacle. It was not merely a physical illness but carried profound spiritual and social implications, often associated with sin or divine judgment. The extreme cleansing ritual, including the complete shaving of all hair and thorough washing, underscored the absolute holiness of God and the necessity of complete purity for anyone to approach Him or participate in the covenant community. It symbolized a radical separation from the defiled state and a comprehensive preparation for a new, pure identity, highlighting that God demands thoroughness in purification and provides a meticulous pathway for restoration. The process was designed to ensure that no trace of the impurity remained, making the individual fit to re-enter the holy camp and worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:9, with its emphasis on complete and radical purification, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The thorough shaving and washing of the _tzara'at_ sufferer symbolized a stripping away of the old, defiled identity, preparing them for re-entry into a holy community. This foreshadows the infinitely more profound spiritual cleansing accomplished by Christ for all who believe. While the Old Covenant rituals could only provide ceremonial purity and temporary atonement, Christ's sacrifice offers complete and eternal purification from sin. His blood, shed on the cross, is the ultimate "washing" that cleanses us from all unrighteousness [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood"). Through faith in Him, we are not merely made ceremonially clean but are declared righteous, made new creations [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ"), and fully reconciled to a holy God. The physical re-entry into the camp for the cleansed Israelite points to our spiritual re-entry into fellowship with God and His people, made possible by the perfect and complete work of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Our "cleanliness" is not achieved by outward rituals but by the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, applied through Christ's finished work, making us holy and blameless before Him [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Cleanses the Church").

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

Numbers 6:9

And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.

Numbers 8:7

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.

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.