Leviticus 14:4-7 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 14:5

And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed ,.... That is, shall command another priest to kill one of them, or an Israelite, as Aben Ezra; and who also observes, that some say the leper, or the butcher, as the Targum of Jonathan; the killing of this bird, not being a sacrifice, might be done without the camp, as it was, and not at the altar, near to which sacrifices were slain, and where they were offered: and this was to be done in an earthen vessel over running water ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 14:6

As for the living bird, he shall take it ,.... And dispose of it as after directed; for there was an use for that: and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop ; which were all bound up in one bundle, but whether the living bird was joined to them is a question; according to Jarchi they were separate, the bird by itself, and the cedar wood, &c.; by themselves; they were neither bound together nor dipped together; and Ben Gersom is very distinct and expressive; we learn from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 14:7

And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times ,.... With the hyssop fastened to the cedar stick, with the scarlet wool or thread bound about it, dipped into the blood and water in the earthen vessel; to which the psalmist alludes, Psalm 51:7 ; the Egyptians had a great notion of "hyssop", as of a purifying nature, and therefore used to eat it with bread, to take off the strength of that F4 Chaeremon apud Porphyr. de Abstinentia, l. 4. sect. 6. :... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 14:5

Over running water - Literally, living, that is, spring water. The meaning appears to be this: Some water (about a quarter of a log, an eggshell and a half full, according to the rabbins) was taken from a spring, and put into a clean earthen vessel, and they killed the bird over this water, that the blood might drop into it; and in this blood and water mixed, they dipped the instrument before described, and sprinkled it seven times upon the person who was to be cleansed. The living or spring... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 14:7

Shall let the living bird loose - The Jews teach that wild birds were employed on this occasion, no tame or domestic animal was used. Mr. Ainsworth piously conjectures that the living and dead birds were intended to represent the death and resurrection of Christ, by which an atonement was made to purify the soul from its spiritual leprosy. The bird let loose bears a near analogy to the scapegoat. See Leviticus 16. 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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 14:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 14:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 14:7

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 14:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 14:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 14:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 14:1-20

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