King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:37 Mean?

Leviticus 14:37 in the King James Version says “And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish o...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall;”

Leviticus 14:37 · KJV

Context

35

And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house:

36

Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house: empty: or, prepare

37

And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall;

38

Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days:

39

And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look: and, behold, if the plague be spread in the walls of the house;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall;

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 access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

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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 tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?
  2. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?
  3. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְרָאָ֣ה1 of 15

“And he shall look”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת2 of 15
H853

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

הַנֶּ֙גַע֙3 of 15

“and behold if the plague”

H5061

a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)

וְהִנֵּ֤ה4 of 15
H2009

lo!

הַנֶּ֙גַע֙5 of 15

“and behold if the plague”

H5061

a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)

הַקִּֽיר׃6 of 15

“be in the walls”

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)

הַבַּ֔יִת7 of 15

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

שְׁקַֽעֲרוּרֹת֙8 of 15

“with hollow strakes”

H8258

a depression

יְרַקְרַקֹּ֔ת9 of 15

“greenish”

H3422

yellowishness

א֖וֹ10 of 15
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

אֲדַמְדַּמֹּ֑ת11 of 15

“or reddish”

H125

reddish

וּמַרְאֵיהֶ֥ן12 of 15

“which in sight”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

שָׁפָ֖ל13 of 15

“are lower”

H8217

depressed, literally or figuratively

מִן14 of 15

“than”

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַקִּֽיר׃15 of 15

“be in the walls”

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)

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 14:37 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 14:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 13:49Leviticus 13:3Leviticus 13:42Leviticus 13:19-20

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