Leviticus 14:39

And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look: and, behold, [if] the plague be spread in the walls of the house;

And the priest {H3548} shall come again {H7725} the seventh {H7637} day {H3117}, and shall look {H7200}: and, behold, if the plague {H5061} be spread {H6581} in the walls {H7023} of the house {H1004};

The cohen will come again on the seventh day and examine the house; if he sees that the infection has spread over its walls,

On the seventh day the priest is to return and inspect the house. If the mildew has spread on the walls,

And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look; and, behold, if the plague be spread in the walls of the house;

Commentary

This verse is part of the detailed instructions in Leviticus chapter 14 regarding the cleansing of a house infected with a "plague" of leprosy, which in this context refers to mold or mildew. Following an initial inspection and a seven-day quarantine period, the priest returns to re-examine the affected walls.

Context

Leviticus 14:39 falls within a section (verses 33-53) dedicated to the procedures for dealing with mold or mildew in a house. This followed the instructions for cleansing individuals afflicted with skin diseases. The process involved an initial report to the priest (Leviticus 14:35), initial inspection and temporary removal of affected stones (Leviticus 14:37), and a subsequent seven-day quarantine. This verse describes the crucial follow-up inspection after that week to see if the problem had worsened.

Key Themes

  • Inspection and Re-evaluation: The verse highlights the necessity of a careful second look after a period of time, demonstrating that some issues require patience and re-evaluation.
  • Spread of Impurity: The core concern is whether the "plague" (mold/mildew, signifying ritual impurity) has spread, indicating a deeper, more pervasive problem.
  • Priestly Role: The priest's crucial role as the designated authority to diagnose and determine the ritual status (clean or unclean) is central to these regulations.
  • Dealing with Contamination: The passage illustrates God's concern for the physical and spiritual well-being of His people, providing clear guidelines for dealing with sources of contamination and impurity within their living spaces.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "plague" (ืฆึธืจึทืขึทืช - tsara'at) is the same term used for skin conditions in humans. When applied to a house, it refers to a form of mold or mildew that was considered ritually unclean. The phrase "be spread" indicates a worsening condition, implying that the initial removal of stones did not contain the problem.

Reflection and Application

While these laws relate specifically to ancient Israelite ritual purity concerning physical structures, they offer broader principles. They teach us about the importance of thoroughness in dealing with problems, not just cosmetic fixes. If a problem (whether physical, emotional, or spiritual) is spreading despite initial efforts, it requires more drastic measures, as subsequent verses in Leviticus 14 show, potentially leading to the house being declared utterly unclean and demolished. Spiritually, this can parallel the need for careful self-examination and decisive action when sin or unhealthy patterns show signs of spreading in our lives despite initial attempts at correction, reminding us of the need for ongoing spiritual cleansing.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 13:7 (2 votes)

    But if the scab spread much abroad in the skin, after that he hath been seen of the priest for his cleansing, he shall be seen of the priest again:

  • Leviticus 13:8 (2 votes)

    And [if] the priest see that, behold, the scab spreadeth in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it [is] a leprosy.

  • Leviticus 13:22 (2 votes)

    And if it spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it [is] a plague.

  • Leviticus 13:51 (2 votes)

    And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, [or] in any work that is made of skin; the plague [is] a fretting leprosy; it [is] unclean.

  • Leviticus 13:27 (2 votes)

    And the priest shall look upon him the seventh day: [and] if it be spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it [is] the plague of leprosy.

  • Leviticus 13:36 (2 votes)

    Then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he [is] unclean.