On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair--his head, his beard, his eyebrows, and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean. On the seventh dayThe seventh day is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing completion or perfection. This day marks the culmination of the cleansing process for a person healed from a skin disease, reflecting God's order and the importance of rest and renewal. The seven-day period mirrors the creation week, emphasizing restoration and new beginnings. he must shave off all his hair—his head, his beard, his eyebrows, and the rest of his hair.
Shaving all hair signifies a complete removal of the old self, symbolizing purification and a fresh start. In ancient Israel, hair was often associated with identity and status, so removing it indicated humility and submission to God's cleansing process. This act parallels the Nazirite vow in Numbers 6, where hair also plays a significant role in consecration and dedication to God. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water,
Washing clothes and bathing are physical acts representing spiritual purification. Water is a recurring symbol of cleansing and renewal throughout Scripture, such as in baptism (Matthew 3:11) and the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5). This ritual underscores the importance of both external and internal purity before re-entering the community. and he will be clean.
The declaration of cleanliness signifies restoration to the community and to God. It reflects the broader biblical theme of redemption and reconciliation, as seen in the New Testament where believers are cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7). This final state of cleanliness points to the ultimate purification believers receive through Jesus, the fulfillment of the law. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LeperThe individual undergoing the cleansing process after being healed from leprosy. This person is central to the purification rituals described in Leviticus 14. 2. The PriestThe priest plays a crucial role in overseeing the cleansing process, ensuring that the leper follows the prescribed rituals to be declared clean. 3. The CampThe place from which the leper was previously excluded due to their condition. Re-entry into the camp signifies restoration to the community. 4. The Seventh DayA significant day in the purification process, marking a complete cycle of cleansing and preparation for reintegration. 5. The Ritual of CleansingA series of actions including shaving, washing, and sacrifices that symbolize purification and restoration. Teaching Points Symbolism of Shaving and WashingShaving off all hair symbolizes a fresh start and the removal of the old self. It is a physical act that represents spiritual renewal and cleansing. Importance of ObedienceThe detailed instructions for cleansing highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands. Following God's instructions leads to restoration and blessing. Community RestorationThe cleansing process allows the leper to rejoin the community, emphasizing the value of community and the importance of being spiritually and physically clean to maintain fellowship. Spiritual CleansingJust as the leper needed physical cleansing, believers are called to seek spiritual cleansing through repentance and faith in Christ, who purifies us from sin. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the process of cleansing in Leviticus 14:9 reflect the importance of both physical and spiritual purity in our lives today? 2. In what ways can the act of shaving and washing in this passage be seen as a metaphor for spiritual renewal in the New Testament? 3. How does the role of the priest in the cleansing process relate to the role of Jesus as our High Priest in the New Testament? 4. What can we learn from the leper's journey back into the community about the importance of reconciliation and restoration in our relationships? 5. How can we apply the principles of obedience and purification found in Leviticus 14:9 to our daily walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Numbers 6:9This verse discusses the Nazirite vow, where shaving the head is also a part of purification, showing a parallel in the use of shaving as a symbol of renewal and dedication. 2 Kings 5:14Naaman's cleansing from leprosy in the Jordan River highlights the theme of washing and purification as a means of healing and restoration. John 13:10Jesus' teaching on washing feet emphasizes the importance of spiritual cleanliness, connecting physical acts of washing with inner purity. People Aaron, Ephah, MosesPlaces Canaan, TemanTopics Bathe, Bathed, Beard, Body, Chin, Clean, Clothes, Clothing, Cut, Eyebrows, Eye-brows, Flesh, Garments, Hair, Pass, Rest, Seventh, Shave, Shaveth, Wash, WashedDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 14:9 5130 beard
5157 head Leviticus 14:1-9 5390 leprosy Leviticus 14:1-32 7416 purification Leviticus 14:1-57 7340 clean and unclean Leviticus 14:8-9 5128 baldness
7342 cleanliness Leviticus 14:8-11 4404 food 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 14:9 NIVLeviticus 14:9 NLTLeviticus 14:9 ESVLeviticus 14:9 NASBLeviticus 14:9 KJV
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