Leviticus 14:49
Leviticus 14:49 in Multiple Translations
He is to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop to purify the house;
And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
And in order to make the house clean, let him take two birds and cedar-wood and red thread and hyssop;
He will bring two birds, cedar wood, crimson thread, and hyssop to make the house clean.
Then shall he take to purifie the house, two sparrowes, and cedar wood, and skarlet lace, and hyssope.
'And he hath taken for the cleansing of the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop;
To cleanse the house he shall take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop.
And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
And for the purification thereof he shall take two sparrows, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
But before people are allowed to live in it, the priest must take two small birds and some cedar wood and some red/scarlet yarn and some hyssop.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 14:49
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 14:49 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/לָקַ֛ח
לְ/חַטֵּ֥א
אֶת
הַ/בַּ֖יִת
שְׁתֵּ֣י
צִפֳּרִ֑ים
וְ/עֵ֣ץ
אֶ֔רֶז
וּ/שְׁנִ֥י
תוֹלַ֖עַת
וְ/אֵזֹֽב
וְ/לָקַ֛ח
lâqach
H3947
to take
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
לְ/חַטֵּ֥א
châṭâʼ
H2398
to sin
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/בַּ֖יִת
bayith
H1004
place
Art | N-ms
שְׁתֵּ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
צִפֳּרִ֑ים
tsippôwr
H6833
bird
N-cp
וְ/עֵ֣ץ
ʻêts
H6086
tree
Conj | N-ms
אֶ֔רֶז
ʼerez
H730
cedar
N-ms
וּ/שְׁנִ֥י
shânîy
H8144
scarlet
Conj | N-ms
תוֹלַ֖עַת
tôwlâʻ
H8438
worm
N-fs
וְ/אֵזֹֽב
ʼêzôwb
H231
hyssop
Conj | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 14:49
וְ/לָקַ֛ח
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
לְ/חַטֵּ֥א
châṭâʼ
H2398
"to sin"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
To sin means to miss the mark or go wrong, incurring guilt or penalty, and can also mean to repent or make amends. It is used in the Bible to describe wrongdoing and its consequences.
Definition: 1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to miss 1a2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty 1a3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to bear loss 1b2) to make a sin-offering 1b3) to purify from sin 1b4) to purify from uncleanness 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to miss the mark 1c2) to induce to sin, cause to sin 1c3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way 1d2) to purify oneself from uncleanness
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass. See also: Genesis 20:6; 1 Kings 15:34; Psalms 4:5.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/בַּ֖יִת
bayith
H1004
"place"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
שְׁתֵּ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
צִפֳּרִ֑ים
tsippôwr
H6833
"bird"
N-cp
This Hebrew word means a little bird, often hopping, and is used to describe a sparrow or fowl in the Bible, such as in Psalm 84:3.
Definition: 1) bird, fowl 1a) bird (singular) 1b) birds (coll) Aramaic equivalent: tse.phar (צְפַר "bird" H6853)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: bird, fowl, sparrow. See also: Genesis 7:14; Psalms 84:4; Psalms 8:9.
וְ/עֵ֣ץ
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
אֶ֔רֶז
ʼerez
H730
"cedar"
N-ms
A cedar tree, known for its strength and durability, like the cedar wood used to build Solomon's temple in 1 Kings 5-6. The cedar tree was highly valued in ancient times for its timber and wood.
Definition: 1) cedar 1a) cedar tree 1b) cedar timber, cedar wood (in building) 1c) cedar wood (in purifications)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: cedar (tree). See also: Leviticus 14:4; 1 Chronicles 22:4; Psalms 29:5.
וּ/שְׁנִ֥י
shânîy
H8144
"scarlet"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word describes the deep red color of the coccus ilicis insect, used to dye fabric scarlet or crimson, like the scarlet thread in Joshua 2:18. It symbolizes wealth and importance.
Definition: 1) scarlet, crimson 1a) properly, the insect 'coccus ilicis', the dried body of the female yielding colouring matter from which is made the dye used for cloth to colour it scarlet or crimson
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: crimson, scarlet (thread). See also: Genesis 38:28; Exodus 39:1; Proverbs 31:21.
תוֹלַ֖עַת
tôwlâʻ
H8438
"worm"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for worm or maggot, this term is also used to describe a deep red or crimson color. It's associated with a specific type of worm that produces a vibrant dye. In the Bible, it's used to describe the color of cloth or other materials.
Definition: 1) worm, scarlet stuff, crimson 1a) worm-the female 'coccus ilicis' 1b) scarlet stuff, crimson, scarlet 1b1) the dye made from the dried body of the female of the worm "coccus ilicis" Also means: to.le.ah (תּוֹלֵעָה "worm" H8438B)
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: crimson, scarlet, worm. See also: Exodus 16:20; Exodus 39:2; Psalms 22:7.
וְ/אֵזֹֽב
ʼêzôwb
H231
"hyssop"
Conj | N-ms
In the Bible, hyssop is a plant used for medicine and rituals, mentioned in the book of Exodus. It symbolizes purification and cleansing. The Israelites used it to apply blood to doorposts.
Definition: hyssop, a plant used for medicinal and religious purposes
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: hyssop. See also: Exodus 12:22; Leviticus 14:52; Psalms 51:9.
Study Notes — Leviticus 14:49
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Cleansing a Home
47And anyone who sleeps in the house or eats in it must wash his clothes.
48If, however, the priest comes and inspects it, and the mildew has not spread after the house has been replastered, he shall pronounce the house clean, because the mildew is gone.
49He is to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop to purify the house;
50and he shall slaughter one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot. 51Then he shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn, and the live bird, dip them in the blood of the slaughtered bird and the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 14:4 | the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed. |
Leviticus 14:49 Summary
This verse is talking about how to make a house clean and pure after it has been contaminated with mildew. The priest is instructed to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop to perform a ritual that will cleanse the house (Leviticus 14:49-51). This is similar to how Jesus Christ cleanses us from our sins when we put our faith in Him (1 John 1:9, Romans 3:24-25). Just as the house needs to be purified, we also need to be purified from our sins to have a right relationship with God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the two birds in the purification process?
The two birds represent a symbol of cleansing and restoration, as one bird is slaughtered and the other set free, signifying the removal of impurity and the introduction of purity, much like the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins (Romans 5:8, Leviticus 14:49-53).
Why is cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop used in the purification ritual?
These items were chosen for their distinctive properties and symbolic meanings, with cedar wood representing durability and resistance to decay, scarlet yarn signifying blood and atonement, and hyssop representing purification and cleansing, as seen in Psalm 51:7 and Hebrews 9:19-22.
How does this purification ritual relate to our spiritual lives today?
This ritual serves as a reminder that God desires us to be pure and holy, and that He has provided a way for us to be cleansed from our sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as seen in 1 John 1:9 and Romans 3:24-25.
What can we learn from the specific instructions given in this verse?
The detailed instructions given in Leviticus 14:49 highlight the importance of obedience and attention to detail in our relationship with God, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-2 and Matthew 5:18-19.
Reflection Questions
- What areas of my life need purification and restoration, and how can I apply the principles of this verse to my spiritual journey?
- In what ways can I, like the priest, be an instrument of purification and healing in the lives of those around me?
- How can I balance the need for ritual and tradition with the importance of a personal, heartfelt relationship with God?
- What does this verse teach me about the character of God, and how can I apply that knowledge to my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 14:49
And he shall take to cleanse the house,.... The priest, or by his fellow priest, as Aben Ezra, though some interpret it of the master of the house; in Leviticus 14:49, an account is given of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 14:49
And if the priest shall come in, and look upon it, and, behold, the plague hath not spread in the house, after the house was plaistered: then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 14:49
(49-53) And he shall take to cleanse the house.—The same rites are prescribed for cleansing the house which were performed in cleansing the healed leper (see Leviticus 14:3-7), with the exception of the sacrifices which the man brought afterwards, and which were necessarily absent in the case of the restored leprous house.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 14:49
Leprosy in houses (33–53) Nothing definite is known about these appearances on the walls of a house, which are here described as leprosy. It was regarded as a special visitation of God (Leviticus 14:34, ‘I put the plague’); the Jews believed that the plague was peculiar to Palestine and the chosen people, and was not found in the houses of foreigners. The owner of the house must say ‘There seemeth to me …’ (Leviticus 14:35): the decision whether the house is leprous rests with the priest. The order to empty the house before the priest comes to inspect shews that there is no fear of contagion. It has been suggested that the appearances were due to damp, or decay, or the growth of some vegetable matter. The diagnosis is similar to that for leprosy in man; the remedy is to remove the stones in which the plague is, and to scrape and plaister the house. If the plague is not stayed, the house must be pulled down. The method of purification if the house be pronounced clean is the same as that prescribed for the leper in Leviticus 14:4-7. Further regulations are found in Negâim, chs. 12, 13.