Leviticus 14:5
New International Version
Then the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed over fresh water in a clay pot.

New Living Translation
The priest will order that one bird be slaughtered over a clay pot filled with fresh water.

English Standard Version
And the priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh water.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot.

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

New King James Version
And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water.

New American Standard Bible
The priest shall also give orders to slaughter the one bird in an earthenware vessel over running water.

NASB 1995
“The priest shall also give orders to slay the one bird in an earthenware vessel over running water.

NASB 1977
“The priest shall also give orders to slay the one bird in an earthenware vessel over running water.

Legacy Standard Bible
The priest shall also give a command to slaughter the one bird in an earthenware vessel over running water.

Amplified Bible
Next the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed [as a sacrifice] in an earthenware container over [fresh] running water.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the priest will order that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the priest will order that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot.

American Standard Version
and the priest shall command to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.

Contemporary English Version
The priest will order someone to kill one of the birds over a clay pot of spring water.

English Revised Version
And the priest shall command to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the priest will order someone to kill one bird over a clay bowl containing fresh water.

Good News Translation
Then the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed over a clay bowl containing fresh spring water.

International Standard Version
Then the priest is to command that one bird be slaughtered on an earthen vessel over flowing water.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot.

NET Bible
The priest will then command that one bird be slaughtered into a clay vessel over fresh water.

New Heart English Bible
The priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel, over running water.

World English Bible
The priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the priest has commanded, and he has slaughtered one bird on an earthen vessel, over running water;

Young's Literal Translation
'And the priest hath commanded, and he hath slaughtered the one bird upon an earthen vessel, over running water;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the priest commanded, and killed one of the birds into a vessel of earthen, over living water.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he shall command one of the sparrows to be immolated in an earthen vessel over living waters:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he shall order that one of the sparrows be immolated in an earthen vessel over living waters.

New American Bible
The priest shall then order that one of the birds be slaughtered over an earthen vessel with fresh water in it.

New Revised Standard Version
The priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in an earthen vessel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Priest shall command and shall slaughter one sparrow in the vessel of a potter over a fountain of waters:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the priest shall command to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the priest shall give direction, and they shall kill one bird over an earthen vessel over running water.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Cleansing from Skin Diseases
4the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed. 5Then the priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot. 6And he is to take the live bird together with the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, and dip them into the blood of the bird that was slaughtered over the fresh water.…

Cross References
Numbers 19:2-6
“This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Instruct the Israelites to bring you an unblemished red heifer that has no defect and has never been placed under a yoke. / Give it to Eleazar the priest, and he will have it brought outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence. / Eleazar the priest is to take some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the Tent of Meeting. ...

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!

John 19:34
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

1 John 5:6-8
This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth. / For there are three that testify: / the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.

Numbers 8:7
This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.

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

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.

Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,

Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

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 10:22
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.

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.

Zechariah 13:1
“On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the people of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

John 13:8-10
“Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” / “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” / Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

earthen vessel

Leviticus 14:50
And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:

Numbers 5:17
And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:

2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

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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














Then the priest shall command
The role of the priest in ancient Israel was not only to perform religious rituals but also to act as a mediator between God and the people. The Hebrew word for "priest" is "kohen," which signifies someone who is set apart for sacred duties. In this context, the priest's command underscores the authority given to him by God to oversee the purification process. This reflects the broader biblical theme of divine order and the importance of obedience to God's appointed leaders.

that one of the birds
The use of birds in this purification ritual is significant. Birds, often seen as creatures of the air, symbolize freedom and transcendence. In the Hebrew context, the specific birds used were typically clean birds, such as sparrows or doves, which were accessible and affordable for the people. This choice highlights God's provision and inclusivity, ensuring that even the poorest could participate in the purification rites.

be slaughtered
The act of slaughtering the bird is a sobering reminder of the cost of sin and impurity. The Hebrew word "shachat" implies a deliberate and sacrificial act. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who was "slaughtered" for the sins of humanity. It serves as a poignant reminder of the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement.

over fresh water
Fresh water, or "living water" in Hebrew, symbolizes purity and life. Water is a recurring symbol in Scripture, representing cleansing and renewal. In this ritual, the fresh water signifies the cleansing power of God, who alone can purify and restore. This imagery is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus offers "living water" to those who believe in Him (John 4:10).

in a clay pot
The use of a clay pot is rich in symbolism. Clay, being a natural and humble material, represents humanity's frailty and dependence on God. The pot, once used for the ritual, would be broken, signifying the breaking of the old life and the beginning of a new, purified existence. This imagery is consistent with the biblical theme of transformation and renewal, as seen in passages like 2 Corinthians 4:7, where believers are described as "jars of clay" containing the treasure of the gospel.

(5) And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed.--Rather, And the priest shall command, and he shall kill the one bird, that is, upon the priest ordering it, the cured leper is to kill the one which is the fairer and better bird of the two, as was the rule during the second Temple. Not being a sacrifice, the victim was killed outside the camp.

In an earthen vessel over running water.--Better, over an earthen vessel upon (or into) living water, that is, the bird was killed over the dish, so as to let the blood flow into the water. The vessel had to be a new one; into it was poured a fourth part of a log, or as much as an egg and a-half of "living water:" that is, water taken from a running stream or a perennial spring, where its continual motion resembles life, in contradistinction to stale or stagnant water. Water which had already been used for other purposes, salt water, rain water, or water which had been melted or warmed, was illegal. When the blood had thus been wrung into it, a hole was dug, and the bird was buried in the presence of the priest and the patient.

Verse 5. - One of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water. A small quantity of water was placed in an earthenware dish, and one of the birds was killed over the dish in such a way that the blood dripped into the water. The water was needed, as there would not have been sufficient blood in the bird for the seven sprinklings which were to be made. It was to be running, literally, living, water; that is, fresh water taken from a fountain or a running stream, in order that it might be as pure as possible. Symbolically, the cleansing power of water as well as of blood is indicated.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the priest
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

shall command
וְצִוָּה֙ (wə·ṣiw·wāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

that one
הָאֶחָ֑ת (hā·’e·ḥāṯ)
Article | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of the birds
הַצִּפּ֣וֹר (haṣ·ṣip·pō·wr)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6833: A little bird

be slaughtered
וְשָׁחַ֖ט (wə·šā·ḥaṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7819: To slaughter, beat

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

fresh
חַיִּֽים׃ (ḥay·yîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

water
מַ֥יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

in
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

a clay
חֶ֖רֶשׂ (ḥe·reś)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2789: Earthenware, earthen vessel, sherd, potsherd

pot.
כְּלִי־ (kə·lî-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus


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OT Law: Leviticus 14:5 The priest shall command them to kill (Le Lv Lev.)
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