King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:11 Mean?

Leviticus 14:11 in the King James Version says “And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, ...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:”

Leviticus 14:11 · KJV

Context

9

But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows , even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.

10

And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil. of the: Heb. the daughter of her year

11

And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:

12

And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:

13

And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering is the priest's, so is the trespass offering: it is most holy:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:

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. Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
What Leviticus portrayed through types and shadows, Christ fulfilled in reality through His incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural 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. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  2. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  3. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְהֶֽעֱמִ֞יד1 of 12

“shall present”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

הַכֹּהֵ֣ן2 of 12

“And the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַמִּטַּהֵ֖ר3 of 12

“that is to be made clean”

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

אֵ֛ת4 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאִ֥ישׁ5 of 12

“the man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַמִּטַּהֵ֖ר6 of 12

“that is to be made clean”

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

וְאֹתָ֑ם7 of 12
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

לִפְנֵ֣י8 of 12

“and those things before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֔ה9 of 12

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

פֶּ֖תַח10 of 12

“at the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

אֹ֥הֶל11 of 12

“of the tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵֽד׃12 of 12

“of the congregation”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 14:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 14:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 8:21Exodus 29:1-4Ephesians 5:26-27Numbers 8:6-11Leviticus 8:3Jude 1:24

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