Leviticus 14:50
Leviticus 14:50 in Multiple Translations
and he shall slaughter one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot.
And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:
and he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:
And put one of the birds to death in a vessel of earth over flowing water;
He will kill one of the birds over a clay pot filled with fresh water.
And hee shall kill one sparowe ouer pure water in an earthen vessell,
and he hath slaughtered the one bird upon an earthen vessel, over running water;
He shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.
And he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel, over running water:
And having immolated one sparrow In an earthen vessel over living waters,
He must kill one of the birds while holding it over a clay pot containing water from a spring.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 14:50
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 14:50 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/שָׁחַ֖ט
אֶת
הַ/צִּפֹּ֣ר
הָ/אֶחָ֑ת
אֶל
כְּלִי
חֶ֖רֶשׂ
עַל
מַ֥יִם
חַיִּֽים
וְ/שָׁחַ֖ט
shâchaṭ
H7819
to slaughter
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/צִּפֹּ֣ר
tsippôwr
H6833
bird
Art | N-cs
הָ/אֶחָ֑ת
ʼechâd
H259
one
Art | Adj
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
כְּלִי
kᵉlîy
H3627
article/utensil
N-ms
חֶ֖רֶשׂ
cheres
H2789
earthenware
N-ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
מַ֥יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp
חַיִּֽים
chay
H2416
alive
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 14:50
וְ/שָׁחַ֖ט
shâchaṭ
H7819
"to slaughter"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This Hebrew word means to slaughter, often used in the context of sacrifice or massacre, as seen in the KJV translations of kill, offer, or slay.
Definition: v 1) to kill, slaughter, beat 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to slaughter 1a1a) beast for food 1a1b) sacrifice 1a1c) person in human sacrifice 1a1d) beaten, hammered (of shekels) 1b) (Niphal) to be slaughtered, be slain (of food or sacrifice) Also means: sha.chat (שָׁחוּט "beaten" H7820)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: kill, offer, shoot out, slay, slaughter. See also: Genesis 22:10; Leviticus 16:15; Isaiah 22:13.
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/צִּפֹּ֣ר
tsippôwr
H6833
"bird"
Art | N-cs
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.
הָ/אֶחָ֑ת
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
כְּלִי
kᵉlîy
H3627
"article/utensil"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to any object or tool, like a utensil or a piece of furniture. It is used to describe a wide range of items, from musical instruments to weapons. It emphasizes the object's purpose or function.
Definition: 1) article, vessel, implement, utensil 1a) article, object (general) 1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel 1b1) implement (of hunting or war) 1b2) implement (of music) 1b3) implement, tool (of labour) 1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen) 1b5) utensils, furniture 1c) vessel, receptacle (general) 1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed
Usage: Occurs in 276 OT verses. KJV: armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. See also: Genesis 24:53; 1 Samuel 14:13; Ezra 8:26.
חֶ֖רֶשׂ
cheres
H2789
"earthenware"
N-ms
This term refers to earthenware or clay pottery, including shards or broken pieces. It is used to describe everyday objects in ancient Israel. The KJV translates it as 'earth' or 'sherd'.
Definition: earthenware, clay pottery, shard, potsherd, earthen vessel
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: earth(-en), (pot-) sherd, [phrase] stone. See also: Leviticus 6:21; Psalms 22:16; Proverbs 26:23.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
מַ֥יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
חַיִּֽים
chay
H2416
"alive"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
Study Notes — Leviticus 14:50
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Cleansing a Home
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. 52And he shall cleanse the house with the bird’s blood, the fresh water, the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet yarn.Leviticus 14:50 Summary
[Leviticus 14:50 is a verse about a ritual where a priest slaughters a bird over fresh water in a clay pot to cleanse a house from mildew. This ritual symbolizes the purification and cleansing that God provides, as seen in other Bible verses like Psalm 51:7 and Ezekiel 36:25. The use of fresh water and the bird's blood in this ritual represents the cleansing power of God, which is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as mentioned in Hebrews 9:14 and 1 John 1:7. By understanding this ritual, we can see how God provides purification and cleansing for His people, and how we can apply these principles to our own lives.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the priest need to slaughter one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot?
The slaughter of the bird over fresh water in a clay pot, as seen in Leviticus 14:50, was a ritualistic act of purification, symbolizing the cleansing of the house from the mildew, similar to the use of blood in other purification rituals, such as in Exodus 12:13 and Hebrews 9:22.
What is the significance of using fresh water in this ritual?
The use of fresh water in Leviticus 14:50 represents purity and cleansing, as also seen in other biblical contexts, like Ezekiel 36:25 and Hebrews 10:22, where water is used for spiritual cleansing and purification.
Why was a clay pot specifically used for this ritual?
The clay pot, being an earthen vessel, may symbolize the earthly and temporary nature of the ritual, as opposed to more permanent or luxurious materials, and its use may be related to the concept of humility and simplicity, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29.
How does this ritual relate to the broader theme of purification in the Bible?
The ritual in Leviticus 14:50 is part of a larger biblical theme of purification, which ultimately points to the purification and redemption provided by Jesus Christ, as seen in 1 John 1:7 and Revelation 1:5-6, where the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need purification and cleansing, and how can I apply the principles of this ritual to my spiritual life?
- How does the use of the bird, fresh water, and clay pot in this ritual symbolize the sacrifice and cleansing provided by Jesus Christ?
- In what ways can I, like the priest in this verse, be an agent of purification and healing in the lives of those around me, as seen in Matthew 10:1 and Luke 9:1-2?
- What are some modern-day equivalents of the 'mildew' in this verse, and how can I, through faith and obedience, experience the cleansing and purification provided by God?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 14:50
And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water. [See comments on Leviticus 14:5].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 14:50
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 14:50
(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 14:50
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.