Leviticus 14:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 14:1-9

Here, I. It is supposed that the plague of the leprosy was not an incurable disease. Uzziah's indeed continued to the day of his death, and Gehazi's was entailed upon his seed; but Miriam's lasted only seven days: we may suppose that it often wore off in process of time. Though God contend long, he will not contend for ever. II. The judgment of the cure, as well as that of the disease, was referred to the priest. He must go out of the camp to the leper, to see whether his leprosy was healed,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 14:4

Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed ,.... The command is by the priest, the taking is by any man, as Ben Gersom observes; anyone whom he shall command, the leper himself, or his friends. Aben Ezra interprets it, the priest shall take of his own; but he adds, there are some that explain it, the leper shall give them to him, namely, what follows: two birds alive, and clean ; any sort of birds, to whom this description agrees; for not any particular sort... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 14:4

Two birds alive and clean, etc. - Whether these birds were sparrows, or turtledoves, or pigeons, we know not; probably any kind of clean bird, or bird proper to be eaten, might be used on this occasion, though it is more likely that turtle-doves or pigeons were employed, because these appear to have been the only birds offered in sacrifice. Of the cedarwood, hyssop, clean bird, and scarlet wool or fillet, were made an aspergillum, or instrument to sprinkle with. The cedar-wood served for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 14:1-9

The cleansing of the leper-ceremonies outside the camp. As leprosy is evidently a remarkable emblem of sin, so must the cleansing of the leper represent the purification of the sinner, and the laws of the cleansing, the provisions of the gospel. The text brings under our notice— I. THE CONDITIONS REQUIRED . These were: 1 . That the leprosy be healed. 2 . That the priest certify the fact. II. THE OFFERING MADE . 1 . The sacrifice. 2 . Its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 14:1-20

Restoration suggestions. The ceremonies here enjoined in the event of leprosy being healed suggest four things. I. AN INTERESTING PASSAGE IN THE LIFE OF OUR LORD . Our Saviour's experiences may be divided into: Of these the last may be the least important, but they will never be unimportant. They will always remain one strong, convincing proof of his Godhead. And of these works the healing of leprosy—incurable by human art—was one of the most decisive. In this work... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 14:1-20

Thorough purification. Spiritual disease is often neglected by persons who are extremely anxious respecting some disease of the physical frame. For the former they seek no remedy, and display no concern as to its ultimate issue, whereas the latter is viewed with unceasing distress. Would that every spiritual leper entertained just conceptions regarding his state! The ceremonies of this chapter are pregnant with interest for us today. Two stages in the leper's cleansing are set before us. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 14:1-32

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 14:1-32

The cleansing of the leper represents the absolution of the sinner, as his exclusion from the camp represented spiritual excommunication. I. THE LAW OF CHRISTIAN EXCOMMUNICATION AND ABSOLUTION , "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" ( Matthew 16:19 ). "Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 14:1-57

The cleansing of sin as illustrated in the cleansing of the leper. cf. 2 Kings 5:1-27 ; Matthew 8:1-4 ; Luke 5:12-15 . We have seen the possibility of a cure of leprosy in the directions for its diagnosis given to the priests. The cured leper had also to be cleansed before admitted to the society of the faithful. In this chapter we have the cleansing of the leper detailed. In this we are to discern the cleansing of sin. Naaman's case is instructive upon this point. He was cured by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 14:4

Cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop. "Cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet ' are also to be burnt with the red heifer for the ashes for the water of separation ( Numbers 19:6 ), and they appear to have been commonly employed in purifications ( Hebrews 9:19 ). The antiseptic properties of cedar made it peculiarly suitable for such occasions. The hyssop "was probably not the plant which we call hyssop, the Hyssopus officinalis. for it is uncertain whether this is to be found in Syria and... read more

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