King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:49 Mean?

Leviticus 14:49 in the King James Version says “And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet , and hyssop:” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet , and hyssop:”

Leviticus 14:49 · KJV

Context

47

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

48

And if the priest shall come in , and look upon it, and, behold, the plague hath not spread in the house, after the house was plaistered: then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed. shall come: Heb. in coming in shall come in, etc

49

And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet , and hyssop:

50

And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:

51

And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet , and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times:

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

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 access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

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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 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. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?
  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 · 11 words
וְלָקַ֛ח1 of 11

“And he shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לְחַטֵּ֥א2 of 11

“to cleanse”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

אֶת3 of 11
H853

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

הַבַּ֖יִת4 of 11

“the house”

H1004

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

שְׁתֵּ֣י5 of 11

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

צִפֳּרִ֑ים6 of 11

“birds”

H6833

a little bird (as hopping)

וְעֵ֣ץ7 of 11

“wood”

H6086

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

אֶ֔רֶז8 of 11

“and cedar”

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

וּשְׁנִ֥י9 of 11

“and scarlet”

H8144

crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it

תוֹלַ֖עַת10 of 11
H8438

a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl

וְאֵזֹֽב׃11 of 11

“and hyssop”

H231

hyssop

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 14:49 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 14:49 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 14:4

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