Leviticus 14:35

And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, It seemeth to me [there is] as it were a plague in the house:

And he that owneth the house {H1004} shall come {H935} and tell {H5046} the priest {H3548}, saying {H559}, It seemeth {H7200} to me there is as it were a plague {H5061} in the house {H1004}:

then the owner of the house is to come and tell the cohen, 'It seems to me that there may be an infection in the house.'

the owner of the house shall come and tell the priest, ‘Something like mildew has appeared in my house.’

then he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, There seemeth to me to be as it were a plague in the house.

Commentary

Leviticus 14:35 is part of an intricate set of laws given to the Israelites regarding the detection and handling of "leprous diseases" in houses, which primarily refers to mold or mildew. This verse highlights the immediate responsibility of the homeowner to report any suspicious growth to the priest, underscoring the community's commitment to maintaining ritual purity and health in ancient Israel.

Context

This verse falls within Leviticus chapters 13 and 14, which detail comprehensive instructions for identifying and dealing with various forms of defilement, including skin diseases (often translated as "leprosy," though distinct from modern leprosy) and "plagues" in garments and houses. Specifically, Leviticus 14:34 states that God would put a "plague" in a house in the land of Canaan, implying a divine hand in these occurrences, perhaps as a judgment or a test. The priest's role was crucial, acting as both a spiritual and public health authority. The homeowner's prompt reporting was the first step in a detailed process of inspection, quarantine, and potential demolition or purification, as outlined in the subsequent verses (Leviticus 14:36-53).

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Purity: A central theme throughout Leviticus, this passage emphasizes God's demand for a clean and holy people, living in clean dwellings. The "plague" in the house was not merely a physical nuisance but a ritual impurity that affected the holiness of the community.
  • Divine Oversight and Guidance: God provides meticulous instructions for every aspect of Israelite life, demonstrating His intimate involvement in their well-being and His desire for order.
  • Role of the Priesthood: The priests were designated by God to discern between clean and unclean, to mediate between God and the people, and to administer these laws. Their judgment was final in matters of defilement and purification.
  • Community Responsibility: The homeowner was not to hide the problem but to actively bring it to the attention of the proper authority, illustrating the importance of transparency and communal accountability in upholding God's standards.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "plague" is nega' (נֶגַע). While it can refer to a physical affliction, in the context of houses and garments (Leviticus 13-14), it specifically denotes a spreading defilement, often identified as mold, mildew, or a fungal growth. It signifies a ritual impurity that renders the affected item or dwelling unclean, requiring specific priestly intervention for purification or removal. This word is also used for the "plague of leprosy" on people, but its application here is distinct, highlighting a pervasive defilement rather than a human disease.

Practical Application

While the specific laws regarding house mold are part of the Old Covenant ceremonial law and are not directly applicable to believers today, the underlying principles hold spiritual significance:

  • Addressing Sin Promptly: Just as a homeowner was to report defilement, believers are called to confess and address sin (spiritual "mold" or "plague") in their lives and communities without delay. 1 John 1:9 encourages confession for cleansing.
  • Seeking Spiritual Guidance: The role of the priest in ancient Israel parallels the role of spiritual leaders, pastors, or mentors today who can offer guidance and discernment concerning spiritual issues and promote purity within the church.
  • Maintaining a Holy Environment: God desires that our "houses"—our bodies, our homes, our churches—be places of holiness and purity, free from spiritual defilement that can spread and corrupt. Paul speaks of the church as God's temple in 1 Corinthians 3:16.

Reflection

Leviticus 14:35, though seemingly mundane, powerfully illustrates God's meticulous care for His people's purity and well-being. It teaches us that God is concerned with every aspect of our lives, desiring that our environments, both physical and spiritual, reflect His holiness. It underscores the importance of transparency, seeking wise counsel, and diligently addressing anything that compromises our walk with God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 91:10 (5 votes)

    There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

  • Zechariah 5:4 (3 votes)

    I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

  • Deuteronomy 7:26 (3 votes)

    Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: [but] thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it [is] a cursed thing.

  • 1 Samuel 3:12 (2 votes)

    In that day I will perform against Eli all [things] which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

  • 1 Samuel 3:14 (2 votes)

    And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

  • Proverbs 3:33 (2 votes)

    The curse of the LORD [is] in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

  • Joshua 7:21 (2 votes)

    When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.