King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:41 Mean?

Leviticus 14:41 in the King James Version says “And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about, and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off wit... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

Leviticus 14:41 · KJV


Context

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:

42

And they shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other morter, and shall plaister the house.

43

And if the plague come again, and break out in the house, after that he hath taken away the stones, and after he hath scraped the house, and after it is plaistered;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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:

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.

Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?
  3. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְאֶת1 of 16
H853

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

מִבַּ֖יִת2 of 16

And he shall cause the house

H1004

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

יַקְצִ֥עַ3 of 16

to be scraped

H7106

to strip off, i.e., (partially) scrape; by implication, to segregate (as an angle)

מִבַּ֖יִת4 of 16

And he shall cause the house

H1004

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

סָבִ֑יב5 of 16

round about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וְשָֽׁפְכ֗וּ6 of 16

and they shall pour

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

אֶת7 of 16
H853

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

הֶֽעָפָר֙8 of 16

out the dust

H6083

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִקְצ֔וּ10 of 16

that they scrape

H7096

to cut off; (figuratively) to destroy; (partially) to scrape off

אֶל11 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִח֣וּץ12 of 16

off without

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

לָעִ֔יר13 of 16

the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אֶל14 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מָק֖וֹם15 of 16

place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

טָמֵֽא׃16 of 16

into an unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense


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 14:41 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 14:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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