King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:51 Mean?

Leviticus 14:51 in the King James Version says “And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet , and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of th...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Leviticus 14:51 · KJV

Context

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 :

53

But he shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean.

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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:

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.

Leviticus 17:11 declares 'the life of the flesh is in the blood,' establishing blood's sacred role in atonement, pointing to Christ's blood shed for redemption.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

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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 sacrificial texts from cultures surrounding Israel demonstrate the widespread practice of animal sacrifice, but Israel's system uniquely emphasized moral atonement over magical efficacy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?
  2. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?
  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 · 24 words
וְלָקַ֣ח1 of 24

“And he shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 24
H853

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

עֵֽץ3 of 24

“wood”

H6086

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

הָ֠אֶרֶז4 of 24

“the cedar”

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

וְאֶת5 of 24
H853

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

הָ֨אֵזֹ֜ב6 of 24

“and the hyssop”

H231

hyssop

וְאֵ֣ת׀7 of 24
H853

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

שְׁנִ֣י8 of 24

“and the scarlet”

H8144

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

הַתּוֹלַ֗עַת9 of 24
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

וְאֵת֮10 of 24
H853

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

הַצִּפֹּ֣ר11 of 24

“bird”

H6833

a little bird (as hopping)

הַֽחַיִּ֑ים12 of 24

“and in the 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

וְטָבַ֣ל13 of 24

“and dip”

H2881

to dip, to immerse

אֹתָ֗ם14 of 24
H853

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

בְּדַם֙15 of 24

“them in the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

הַצִּפֹּ֣ר16 of 24

“bird”

H6833

a little bird (as hopping)

הַשְּׁחוּטָ֔ה17 of 24

“of the slain”

H7819

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

וּבַמַּ֖יִם18 of 24

“water”

H4325

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

הַֽחַיִּ֑ים19 of 24

“and in the 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

וְהִזָּ֥ה20 of 24

“and sprinkle”

H5137

to spirt, i.e., besprinkle (especially in expiation)

אֶל21 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַבַּ֖יִת22 of 24

“the house”

H1004

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

שֶׁ֥בַע23 of 24

“seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

פְּעָמִֽים׃24 of 24

“times”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

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 14:51 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 14:51 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 51:7

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