King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:39 Mean?

Leviticus 14:39 in the King James Version says “And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look: and, behold, if the plague be spread in the walls of th...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Leviticus 14:39 · KJV

Context

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:

41

And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about, and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off without the city into an unclean place:

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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;

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.
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. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?
  3. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְשָׁ֥ב1 of 10

“shall come again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

הַכֹּהֵ֖ן2 of 10

“And the priest”

H3548

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

בַּיּ֣וֹם3 of 10

“day”

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

הַשְּׁבִיעִ֑י4 of 10

“the seventh”

H7637

seventh

וְרָאָ֕ה5 of 10

“and shall look”

H7200

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

וְהִנֵּ֛ה6 of 10
H2009

lo!

פָּשָׂ֥ה7 of 10

“be spread”

H6581

to spread

הַנֶּ֖גַע8 of 10

“and behold if the plague”

H5061

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

בְּקִירֹ֥ת9 of 10

“in the walls”

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)

הַבָּֽיִת׃10 of 10

“of the house”

H1004

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

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 14:39 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 14:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 13:27Leviticus 13:22Leviticus 13:36Leviticus 13:7-8Leviticus 13:51

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