Then the priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot. Then the priest shall commandIn the Levitical system, the priest acts as a mediator between God and the people, emphasizing the importance of divine authority in matters of purification. This command reflects the priest's role in ensuring that the rituals are conducted according to God's instructions, as seen throughout Leviticus. that one of the birds be slaughtered
The use of birds, often sparrows or doves, in purification rituals symbolizes innocence and purity. The act of slaughtering signifies the necessity of a life given for cleansing, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is described as the Lamb of God in John 1:29. over fresh water
Fresh water, or "living water," is a symbol of life and purification. In biblical symbolism, water often represents cleansing and renewal, as seen in the New Testament with the concept of baptism (John 3:5). The use of fresh water here underscores the need for spiritual renewal and cleansing from impurity. in a clay pot
Clay pots were common in ancient Israel, representing the earthen and humble nature of humanity. The use of a clay pot in this ritual may symbolize the fragility and temporality of human life. In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul refers to believers as "jars of clay," highlighting the contrast between human weakness and divine power. Persons / Places / Events 1. PriestThe priest plays a crucial role in the purification process, acting as a mediator between God and the people. In this context, the priest is responsible for carrying out the ritual for cleansing a person healed of a skin disease. 2. BirdsTwo birds are used in the purification ritual. One is sacrificed, and the other is set free, symbolizing cleansing and restoration. 3. Fresh WaterThe use of fresh water signifies purity and life. It is essential in the ritual, representing the cleansing power of God. 4. Clay PotThe clay pot is a humble vessel, symbolizing humanity's frailty and the need for divine intervention in the purification process. 5. SlaughteringThe act of slaughtering one bird over fresh water is a sacrificial act, pointing to the need for atonement and purification. Teaching Points The Role of the PriestThe priest's involvement highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance in the process of purification and restoration. Symbolism of SacrificeThe sacrificial bird represents the cost of purification and the necessity of atonement for sin, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Significance of WaterFresh water symbolizes life and purity, reminding believers of the cleansing power of God's Word and the Holy Spirit. Human Frailty and Divine InterventionThe use of a clay pot underscores human weakness and the need for God's intervention in the process of sanctification. Freedom Through CleansingThe release of the living bird signifies the freedom and new life that comes from being cleansed by God, encouraging believers to live in the freedom of Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the role of the priest in Leviticus 14:5 reflect the role of spiritual leaders in the church today? 2. In what ways does the sacrificial system in Leviticus point to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ? 3. How can the symbolism of fresh water in this passage be applied to our understanding of spiritual cleansing and renewal? 4. What does the use of a clay pot in the ritual teach us about our own human frailty and dependence on God? 5. How can the concept of freedom through cleansing, as illustrated by the release of the living bird, be applied to our daily walk with Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 14:6-7These verses continue the ritual, where the living bird is dipped in the blood of the slaughtered bird and released, symbolizing the complete cleansing and freedom from impurity. Hebrews 9:13-14This passage in the New Testament draws a parallel between the Old Testament purification rituals and the ultimate cleansing through the blood of Christ, emphasizing the superiority of Christ's sacrifice. Psalm 51:7David's plea for cleansing with hyssop reflects the desire for spiritual purification, similar to the physical cleansing rituals in Leviticus. People Aaron, Ephah, MosesPlaces Canaan, TemanTopics Bird, Birds, Clay, Command, Commanded, Death, Earthen, Earthenware, Flowing, Fresh, Kill, Killed, Order, Orders, Pot, Priest, Running, Slaughtered, Slay, VesselDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 14:5 4315 clay
5226 basin
5445 potters and pottery Leviticus 14:1-7 4424 cedar Leviticus 14:1-9 5390 leprosy Leviticus 14:1-32 7416 purification Leviticus 14:1-57 7340 clean and unclean Leviticus 14:2-7 7422 ritual Leviticus 14:3-6 4808 crimson Leviticus 14:3-7 4612 birds Library November 27. "And the Remnant of the Oil . . . Shall Pour Upon the Head" (Lev. xiv. 18).
"And the remnant of the oil ... shall pour upon the head" (Lev. xiv. 18). In the account of the healing of the Hebrew leper there is a beautiful picture of the touching of his ears, hands and feet, with the redeeming blood and the consecrating oil, as a sign that his powers of understanding, service, and conduct were set apart to God, and divinely endued for the Master's work and will. But after all this, we are significantly told that "the rest of the oil" was to be poured upon his head. The former …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The First Stage in the Leper's Cleansing
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: 3. And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper; 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: 5. And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Appendix xv. The Location of Sychar, and the Date of Our Lord's visit to Samaria.
1. The Location of Sychar. Although modern writers are now mostly agreed on this subject, it may be well briefly to put before our readers the facts of the case. Till comparitively lately, the Sychar of St. John iv. was generally as representing the ancient Shechem. The first difficulty here was the name, since Shechem, or even Sichem, could scarcely be identified with Sychar, which is undoubtedly the correct reading. Accordingly, the latter term was represented as one of oppobrium, and derived from …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision B. At Jacob's Well, and at Sychar. ^D John IV. 5-42. ^d 5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 and Jacob's well was there. [Commentators long made the mistake of supposing that Shechem, now called Nablous, was the town here called Sychar. Sheckem lies a mile and a half west of Jacob's well, while the real Sychar, now called 'Askar, lies scarcely half a mile north of the well. It was a small town, loosely called …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel John's First Testimony to Jesus.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, February, a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 19-34. ^d 19 And this is the witness of John [John had been sent to testify, "and" this is the matter of his testimony], when the Jews [The term "Jews" is used seventy times by John to describe the ruling classes of Judæa] sent unto him [In thus sending an embassy they honored John more than they ever honored Christ. They looked upon John as a priest and Judæan, but upon Jesus as a carpenter and Galilæan. It is probable that …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
(in the Wilderness of Judæa, and on the Banks of the Jordan, Occupying Several Months, Probably a.d. 25 or 26.) ^A Matt. III. 1-12; ^B Mark I. 1-8; ^C Luke III. 1-18. ^b 1 The beginning of the gospel [John begins his Gospel from eternity, where the Word is found coexistent with God. Matthew begins with Jesus, the humanly generated son of Abraham and David, born in the days of Herod the king. Luke begins with the birth of John the Baptist, the Messiah's herald; and Mark begins with the ministry …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 14:5 NIVLeviticus 14:5 NLTLeviticus 14:5 ESVLeviticus 14:5 NASBLeviticus 14:5 KJV
Leviticus 14:5 Commentaries
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