King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:50 Mean?

Leviticus 14:50 in the King James Version says “And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Leviticus 14:50 · KJV

Context

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:

52

And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet :

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Commentary

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

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 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. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?
  2. How can you use this verse to worship God more fully, obey Him more faithfully, or love others more sacrificially?
  3. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְשָׁחַ֖ט1 of 10

“And he shall kill”

H7819

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

אֶת2 of 10
H853

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

הַצִּפֹּ֣ר3 of 10

“of the birds”

H6833

a little bird (as hopping)

הָֽאֶחָ֑ת4 of 10

“the one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

אֶל5 of 10
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כְּלִי6 of 10

“vessel”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

חֶ֖רֶשׂ7 of 10

“in an earthen”

H2789

a piece of pottery

עַל8 of 10
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מַ֥יִם9 of 10

“water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

חַיִּֽים׃10 of 10

“over running”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

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 14:50 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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