King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:45 Mean?

Leviticus 14:45 in the King James Version says “And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the morter of the house; and he sha...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Leviticus 14:45 · KJV

Context

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.

47

And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes.

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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.
The holiness demanded in Leviticus becomes possible through Christ, who both satisfies God's righteous requirements and transforms believers by His Spirit.

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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 texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?
  3. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְנָתַ֣ץ1 of 18

“And he shall break down”

H5422

to tear down

אֶת2 of 18
H853

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

הַבָּ֑יִת3 of 18

“of the house”

H1004

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

אֶת4 of 18
H853

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

אֲבָנָיו֙5 of 18

“the stones”

H68

a stone

וְאֶת6 of 18
H853

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

עֵצָ֔יו7 of 18

“of it and the timber”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

וְאֵ֖ת8 of 18
H853

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

כָּל9 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲפַ֣ר10 of 18

“thereof and all the morter”

H6083

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

הַבָּ֑יִת11 of 18

“of the house”

H1004

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

וְהוֹצִיא֙12 of 18

“and he shall carry them forth”

H3318

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

אֶל13 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִח֣וּץ14 of 18

“out”

H2351

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

לָעִ֔יר15 of 18

“of the city”

H5892

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

אֶל16 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מָק֖וֹם17 of 18

“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׃18 of 18

“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 14:45 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 14:45 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 17:20-23Jeremiah 52:13Revelation 11:2Ezekiel 5:42 Kings 18:42 Kings 25:4-12

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