King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:44 Mean?

Leviticus 14:44 in the King James Version says “Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the ...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house: it is unclean.”

Leviticus 14:44 · KJV

Context

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;

44

Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house: it is unclean.

45

And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the morter of the house; and he shall carry them forth out of the city into an unclean place.

46

Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even.

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house: it is unclean.

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.

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 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. How can you use this verse to worship God more fully, obey Him more faithfully, or love others more sacrificially?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וּבָא֙1 of 13

“shall come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַכֹּהֵ֔ן2 of 13

“Then the priest”

H3548

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

וְרָאָ֕ה3 of 13

“and look”

H7200

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

וְהִנֵּ֛ה4 of 13
H2009

lo!

פָּשָׂ֥ה5 of 13

“be spread”

H6581

to spread

הַנֶּ֖גַע6 of 13

“and behold if the plague”

H5061

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

בַּבַּ֖יִת7 of 13

“in the house”

H1004

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

צָרַ֨עַת8 of 13

“leprosy”

H6883

leprosy

מַמְאֶ֥רֶת9 of 13

“it is a fretting”

H3992

to be bitter or (causatively) to embitter, i.e., be painful

הִ֛וא10 of 13
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

בַּבַּ֖יִת11 of 13

“in the house”

H1004

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

טָמֵ֥א12 of 13

“it is unclean”

H2931

foul in a religious sense

הֽוּא׃13 of 13
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 14:44 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 14:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 13:51-52Zechariah 5:4

Test Your Knowledge

Leviticus 14 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLeviticus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Leviticus 14 with CommentaryAll Leviticus ChaptersComplete Leviticus QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes