King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:38 Mean?

Leviticus 14:38 in the King James Version says “Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days:” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Leviticus 14:38 · KJV

Context

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;

40

Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentary

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

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.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

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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. Ancient sacrificial texts from cultures surrounding Israel demonstrate the widespread practice of animal sacrifice, but Israel's system uniquely emphasized moral atonement over magical efficacy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  2. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְיָצָ֧א1 of 12

“shall go”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הַכֹּהֵ֛ן2 of 12

“Then the priest”

H3548

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

מִן3 of 12
H4480

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

הַבַּ֖יִת4 of 12

“of the house”

H1004

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

אֶל5 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פֶּ֣תַח6 of 12

“to the door”

H6607

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

הַבַּ֖יִת7 of 12

“of the house”

H1004

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

וְהִסְגִּ֥יר8 of 12

“and shut”

H5462

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

אֶת9 of 12
H853

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

הַבַּ֖יִת10 of 12

“of the house”

H1004

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

שִׁבְעַ֥ת11 of 12

“seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

יָמִֽים׃12 of 12

“days”

H3117

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

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 14:38 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 14:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 13:50

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