King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:6 Mean?

Leviticus 14:6 in the King James Version says “As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet , and the hyssop, and shall dip them and t...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet , and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:”

Leviticus 14:6 · KJV

Context

4

Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet , and hyssop: birds: or, sparrows

5

And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:

6

As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet , and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:

7

And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. into: Heb. upon the face of the field

8

And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the 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.

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.
The New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.

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 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 does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?
  2. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
אֶת1 of 24
H853

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

הַצִּפֹּ֣ר2 of 24

“bird”

H6833

a little bird (as hopping)

הַֽחַיִּֽים׃3 of 24

“As for the living”

H2416

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

יִקַּ֣ח4 of 24

“he shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֹתָ֔הּ5 of 24
H853

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

וְאֶת6 of 24
H853

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

עֵ֥ץ7 of 24

“wood”

H6086

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

הָאֶ֛רֶז8 of 24

“it and the cedar”

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

וְאֶת9 of 24
H853

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

שְׁנִ֥י10 of 24

“and the scarlet”

H8144

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

הַתּוֹלַ֖עַת11 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

וְאֶת12 of 24
H853

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

הָֽאֵזֹ֑ב13 of 24

“and the hyssop”

H231

hyssop

וְטָבַ֨ל14 of 24

“and shall dip”

H2881

to dip, to immerse

אוֹתָ֜ם15 of 24
H853

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

וְאֵ֣ת׀16 of 24
H853

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

הַצִּפֹּ֣ר17 of 24

“bird”

H6833

a little bird (as hopping)

הַֽחַיִּֽים׃18 of 24

“As for the living”

H2416

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

בְּדַם֙19 of 24

“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

הַצִּפֹּ֣ר20 of 24

“bird”

H6833

a little bird (as hopping)

הַשְּׁחֻטָ֔ה21 of 24

“that was killed”

H7819

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

עַ֖ל22 of 24
H5921

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

הַמַּ֥יִם23 of 24

“water”

H4325

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

הַֽחַיִּֽים׃24 of 24

“As for the living”

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 14:6 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 14:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 5:10Romans 4:25Revelation 1:5John 14:19Leviticus 14:51-53Revelation 1:18

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