Leviticus 14:38

Authorized King James Version

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Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days:

Original Language Analysis

וְיָצָ֧א shall go H3318
וְיָצָ֧א shall go
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 1 of 12
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַכֹּהֵ֛ן Then the priest H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֛ן Then the priest
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 2 of 12
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
מִן H4480
מִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 3 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַבַּ֖יִת of the house H1004
הַבַּ֖יִת of the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 4 of 12
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 5 of 12
near, with or among; often in general, to
פֶּ֣תַח to the door H6607
פֶּ֣תַח to the door
Strong's: H6607
Word #: 6 of 12
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
הַבַּ֖יִת of the house H1004
הַבַּ֖יִת of the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 7 of 12
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְהִסְגִּ֥יר and shut H5462
וְהִסְגִּ֥יר and shut
Strong's: H5462
Word #: 8 of 12
to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבַּ֖יִת of the house H1004
הַבַּ֖יִת of the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 10 of 12
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
שִׁבְעַ֥ת seven H7651
שִׁבְעַ֥ת seven
Strong's: H7651
Word #: 11 of 12
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יָמִֽים׃ days H3117
יָמִֽים׃ days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 12 of 12
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis & Commentary

Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days:

This verse falls within the section on Cleansing from Skin Diseases. Elaborate cleansing ritual for healed lepers, involving birds, blood, and multiple offerings, symbolizing restoration.

The Aaronic priesthood mediated between God and Israel, offering sacrifices and maintaining the tabernacle. This prefigured Christ's superior priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

Historical Context

Elaborate cleansing ritual for healed lepers, involving birds, blood, and multiple offerings, symbolizing restoration. Chapters 11-15 address ritual purity, teaching Israel to distinguish clean from unclean. These laws served multiple purposes: promoting health, teaching spiritual lessons about sin's defilement, and separating Israel from pagan practices. Archaeological evidence shows Canaanite worship involved practices Israel's laws explicitly prohibited. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Ancient sacrificial texts from cultures surrounding Israel demonstrate the widespread practice of animal sacrifice, but Israel's system uniquely emphasized moral atonement over magical efficacy.

Questions for Reflection

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