Leviticus 14:49
New International Version
To purify the house he is to take two birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop.

New Living Translation
To purify the house the priest must take two birds, a stick of cedar, some scarlet yarn, and a hyssop branch.

English Standard Version
And for the cleansing of the house he shall take two small birds, with cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop,

Berean Standard Bible
He is to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop to purify the house;

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

New King James Version
And he shall take, to cleanse the house, two birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop.

New American Standard Bible
To cleanse the house then, he shall take two birds, cedar wood, a scarlet string, and hyssop,

NASB 1995
“To cleanse the house then, he shall take two birds and cedar wood and a scarlet string and hyssop,

NASB 1977
“To cleanse the house then, he shall take two birds and cedar wood and a scarlet string and hyssop,

Legacy Standard Bible
To cleanse the house then, he shall take two birds and cedar wood and a scarlet string and hyssop,

Amplified Bible
To cleanse the house then, he shall take two birds and cedar wood and scarlet string and hyssop;

Christian Standard Bible
He is to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop to purify the house,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He is to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop to purify the house,

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

Contemporary English Version
Then, to show that the house is now clean, he will get two birds, a stick of cedar wood, a piece of red yarn, and a branch from a hyssop plant and bring them to the house.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"The priest must take two birds, cedar wood, red yarn, and a hyssop sprig and use them to make the house clean.

Good News Translation
To purify the house, he shall take two birds, some cedar wood, a red cord, and a sprig of hyssop.

International Standard Version
In order to cleanse the house, he is to take two birds, some cedar wood, two crimson threads, and some hyssop.

Majority Standard Bible
He is to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop to purify the house;

NET Bible
Then he is to take two birds, a piece of cedar wood, a scrap of crimson fabric, and some twigs of hyssop to decontaminate the house,

New Heart English Bible
To cleanse the house he shall take two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

World English Bible
To cleanse the house he shall take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he has taken two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop for the cleansing of the house;

Young's Literal Translation
'And he hath taken for the cleansing of the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he took to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and double scarlet, and hyssop.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And for the purification thereof he shall take two sparrows, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And for its purification, he shall take two sparrows, and cedar wood, and vermillion, as well as hyssop,

New American Bible
To purify the house, he shall take two birds, as well as cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop.

New Revised Standard Version
For the cleansing of the house he shall take two birds, with cedarwood and crimson yarn and hyssop,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds alive and clean and cedar wood and hyssop and scarlet material;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he shall take for the cleansing of the house two living pure sparrows, and wood of cedar and hyssop and dye of scarlet:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, and hyssop.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he shall take to purify the house two clean living birds, and cedar wood, and spun scarlet, and hyssop.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Cleansing a Home
48If, however, the priest comes and inspects it, and the mildew has not spread after the house has been replastered, he shall pronounce the house clean, because the mildew is gone. 49He is to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop to purify the house; 50and he shall slaughter one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot.…

Cross References
Hebrews 9:13-14
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

Numbers 19:6
The priest is to take cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer.

Numbers 19:18
Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, or a person who has died or been slain.

Hebrews 9:19-22
For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people, / saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” / In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. ...

Psalm 51:7
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Numbers 19:9
Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to gather up the ashes of the heifer and store them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They must be kept by the congregation of Israel for preparing the water of purification; this is for purification from sin.

Numbers 19:17
For the purification of the unclean person, take some of the ashes of the burnt sin offering, put them in a jar, and pour fresh water over them.

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Isaiah 52:15
so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard.

Ezekiel 36:25
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.

Matthew 8:4
Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”

Mark 1:44
“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

Luke 5:14
“Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

Hebrews 10:4
because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Leviticus 14:4-7
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: …

Jump to Previous
Birds Cedar Cedarwood Cedar-Wood Clean Cleanse Cleansing Defilement House Hyssop Order Purge Purify Red Scarlet Small String Stuff Thread Wood Yarn
Jump to Next
Birds Cedar Cedarwood Cedar-Wood Clean Cleanse Cleansing Defilement House Hyssop Order Purge Purify Red Scarlet Small String Stuff Thread Wood Yarn
Leviticus 14
1. The rites and sacrifices in cleansing the leper
33. The signs of leprosy in a house
48. The cleansing of that house














He is to take two birds
In the purification rituals of Leviticus, birds are often used as a symbol of innocence and purity. The use of two birds here parallels the ritual for cleansing a person from leprosy earlier in the chapter. One bird is sacrificed, symbolizing atonement, while the other is released, representing freedom and new life. This duality can be seen as a type of Christ's death and resurrection, where His sacrifice brings atonement and His resurrection offers new life.

cedar wood
Cedar wood is known for its durability and pleasant aroma, often used in construction and religious rituals. In biblical symbolism, cedar represents strength and incorruptibility. The use of cedar wood in purification rituals may signify the enduring nature of God's covenant and the strength of His cleansing power. Cedar was also used in the construction of the Temple, linking it to holiness and divine presence.

scarlet yarn
Scarlet yarn, or thread, is frequently associated with sacrifice and redemption in the Bible. The color scarlet is reminiscent of blood, which is central to the atonement process. This element in the ritual may point to the blood of Christ, which cleanses believers from sin. The scarlet thread is also a reminder of the story of Rahab, whose faith and the scarlet cord saved her and her family, symbolizing redemption and deliverance.

and hyssop
Hyssop is a plant used in various purification rites in the Old Testament. It is mentioned in the Passover account, where it was used to apply the blood of the lamb to the doorposts, signifying protection and deliverance. In Psalm 51, David asks to be cleansed with hyssop, indicating its association with spiritual purification. In the New Testament, hyssop is present at the crucifixion of Jesus, further connecting it to themes of sacrifice and cleansing.

to purify the house
The purification of a house in Leviticus 14 is part of the broader theme of holiness and cleanliness in the community of Israel. Just as individuals needed to be cleansed from impurity, so did their dwellings. This reflects the idea that God's holiness permeates all aspects of life, requiring purity in both personal and communal spaces. The ritual underscores the importance of maintaining a holy environment, foreshadowing the New Testament teaching that believers are temples of the Holy Spirit, called to live in purity and holiness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Priest
The priest is responsible for performing the purification rituals, acting as a mediator between God and the people.

2. House
Represents the dwelling place of the Israelites, which can become unclean and require purification.

3. Two Birds
Used in the purification ritual, symbolizing cleansing and atonement.

4. Cedar Wood
A durable and aromatic wood, symbolizing strength and purification.

5. Scarlet Yarn
Represents the color of blood, symbolizing sacrifice and cleansing.

6. Hyssop
A plant used for sprinkling in purification rites, symbolizing cleansing and purification.
Teaching Points
Symbolism of Cleansing
The elements used in the purification ritual (birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, hyssop) symbolize the comprehensive nature of God's cleansing. Just as these elements were used to purify a physical space, God desires to purify our hearts and lives.

Role of the Priest
The priest's role in the purification process highlights the need for a mediator. In the New Testament, Jesus is our High Priest, mediating on our behalf and providing ultimate purification through His sacrifice.

Importance of Obedience
The detailed instructions for purification underscore the importance of obedience to God's commands. In our lives, we are called to follow God's instructions for living a holy life.

Spiritual Cleansing
Just as the house required physical cleansing, we require spiritual cleansing from sin. This is achieved through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Community and Holiness
The purification of a house reflects the communal aspect of holiness. Our personal and communal spaces should reflect God's holiness and purity.(49-53) And he shall take to cleanse the house.--The same rites are prescribed for cleansing the house which were performed in cleansing the healed leper (see Leviticus 14:3-7), with the exception of the sacrifices which the man brought afterwards, and which were necessarily absent in the case of the restored leprous house.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[The priest] is to take
וְלָקַ֛ח (wə·lā·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

two
שְׁתֵּ֣י (šə·tê)
Number - fdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

birds,
צִפֳּרִ֑ים (ṣip·po·rîm)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6833: A little bird

cedar
אֶ֔רֶז (’e·rez)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 730: A cedar tree

wood,
וְעֵ֣ץ (wə·‘êṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

scarlet yarn,
וּשְׁנִ֥י (ū·šə·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8144: Crimson, the insect, its color, stuff dyed with it

and hyssop
וְאֵזֹֽב׃ (wə·’ê·zōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 231: Hyssop

to purify
לְחַטֵּ֥א (lə·ḥaṭ·ṭê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

the house;
הַבַּ֖יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT Law: Leviticus 14:49 To cleanse the house he shall take (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 14:48
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