Leviticus 14:8

Authorized King James Version

And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְכִבֶּס֩
shall wash
to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative
#2
וְטָהֵ֔ר
And he that is to be cleansed
to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
בְּגָדָ֜יו
his clothes
a covering, i.e., clothing
#5
וְגִלַּ֣ח
and shave
properly, to be bald, i.e., (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
שְׂעָר֗וֹ
off all his hair
hair (as if tossed or bristling)
#9
וְרָחַ֤ץ
and wash
to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)
#10
בַּמַּ֙יִם֙
himself in water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#11
וְטָהֵ֔ר
And he that is to be cleansed
to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
#12
וְאַחַ֖ר
and after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#13
יָב֣וֹא
that he shall come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#14
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה
into the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#16
וְיָשַׁ֛ב
and shall tarry
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#17
מִח֥וּץ
abroad
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
#18
לְאָֽהֳל֖וֹ
out of his tent
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#19
שִׁבְעַ֥ת
seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#20
יָמִֽים׃
days
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

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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