Leviticus 14:49

Authorized King James Version

And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְלָקַ֛ח
And he shall take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#2
לְחַטֵּ֥א
to cleanse
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
הַבַּ֖יִת
the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#5
שְׁתֵּ֣י
two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#6
צִפֳּרִ֑ים
birds
a little bird (as hopping)
#7
וְעֵ֣ץ
wood
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
#8
אֶ֔רֶז
and cedar
a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
#9
וּשְׁנִ֥י
and scarlet
crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it
#10
תוֹלַ֖עַת
a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl
#11
וְאֵזֹֽב׃
and hyssop
hyssop

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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