King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:9 Mean?

Leviticus 14:9 in the King James Version says “But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows , even ... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows , even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.

Leviticus 14:9 · KJV


Context

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.

9

But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows , even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.

10

And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil. of the: Heb. the daughter of her year

11

And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.

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.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

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. 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 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. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וְהָיָה֩1 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַיּ֨וֹם2 of 26

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜י3 of 26

But it shall be on the seventh

H7637

seventh

יְגַלֵּ֑חַ4 of 26

he shall shave

H1548

properly, to be bald, i.e., (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste

אֶת5 of 26
H853

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

כָּל6 of 26
H3605

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

שְׂעָר֖וֹ7 of 26

all his hair

H8181

hair (as if tossed or bristling)

אֶת8 of 26
H853

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

רֹאשׁ֤וֹ9 of 26

off his head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וְאֶת10 of 26
H853

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

זְקָנוֹ֙11 of 26

and his beard

H2206

the beard (as indicating age)

וְאֵת֙12 of 26
H853

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

גַּבֹּ֣ת13 of 26

and his eyebrows

H1354

the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc

עֵינָ֔יו14 of 26
H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וְאֶת15 of 26
H853

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

כָּל16 of 26
H3605

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

שְׂעָר֖וֹ17 of 26

all his hair

H8181

hair (as if tossed or bristling)

יְגַלֵּ֑חַ18 of 26

he shall shave

H1548

properly, to be bald, i.e., (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste

וְכִבֶּ֣ס19 of 26

off and he shall wash

H3526

to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative

אֶת20 of 26
H853

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

בְּגָדָ֗יו21 of 26

his clothes

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְרָחַ֧ץ22 of 26

also he shall wash

H7364

to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)

אֶת23 of 26
H853

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

בְּשָׂר֛וֹ24 of 26

his flesh

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

בַּמַּ֖יִם25 of 26

in water

H4325

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

וְטָהֵֽר׃26 of 26

and he shall be clean

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)


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 14:9 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 14:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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