Leviticus 14

1 Then the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] said [to speak, communicate] to Moses [the Israelite leader, God’s chosen servant], word study 2 “This [the following instruction, this specific law] is the law [instruction, guiding principle] for the one afflicted [suffering, diseased] with a skin disease [leprosy, a condition of ceremonial impurity] on the day [a specific period, a time of cleansing] of his cleansing [purification, restoration to ritual purity], when he is brought [approached, presented] to the priest [the spiritual leader, the one who mediates between God and man]. word study 3 The priest [the spiritual leader, mediator] is to go outside [beyond the boundaries] the camp [the Israelite encampment, a group of people] to examine [to look, to see] him, and if the skin disease [leprosy, a plague] of the afflicted person [the leper, one suffering] has healed [been cured, restored to health], word study 4 the priest [a spiritual leader, mediator] shall order [give a command, appoint] that two [a pair, dual] live [alive, having life] clean [pure, ceremonially clean] birds [little birds, sparrows], cedar wood [a strong and durable tree], scarlet yarn [deep red, crimson thread], and hyssop [a plant used for purification] be brought for the one [the person, individual] to be cleansed [made pure, purified, restored to ritual purity]. word study 5 Then the priest [holy servant, spiritual leader] shall command [to give orders, appoint] that one [a single, unique] of the birds [little bird, sparrow] be slaughtered [killed, sacrificed] over fresh [running, living] water in a clay [earthenware, pottery] pot [vessel, container]. word study 6 And he is to take the live [little hopping] bird together with the cedar [strong and durable] wood, scarlet [deep red] yarn, and hyssop [a plant used for purification], and dip them into the blood [the liquid essential for life] of the bird that was slaughtered [killed as a sacrifice] over the fresh [flowing, living] water. word study 7 Seven times he shall sprinkle [to spring or spirt, often in a ritual] the one to be cleansed [made pure, either physically, morally, or ceremonially] of the skin disease [leprosy, a condition requiring purification]. Then he shall pronounce him clean [declare him pure, ceremonially] and release [to send, let go] the live [alive, having life] bird [a little bird, often hopping] into the open [broad, unrestricted] field [a land or area, used for cultivation or as a habitat]. word study 8 The one being cleansed [made pure, purified] must wash [rinse, cleanse] his clothes [garments, attire], shave off [cut away, remove] all his hair [every lock, completely bald], and bathe [immerse, wash himself] with water [purifying liquid]; then he will be ceremonially clean [ritually pure, holy]. Afterward [following this, next], he may enter [come into, join] the camp [community, gathering], but he must remain [stay, dwell] outside [beyond, outside of] his tent [dwelling, shelter] for seven days [period of time, cycle]. word study 9 On the seventh [appointed, sacred] day he must shave off all his hair—his head [the crown of his body], his beard, his eyebrows [the hair above his eyes], and the rest of his hair [every last follicle]. He must wash [cleanse, purify] his clothes [garments, outer wear] and bathe [immerse, rinse] himself with water [the liquid of life], and he will be clean [pure, ceremonially cleansed, righteous]. word study 10 On the eighth day he is to bring two unblemished [perfect, without defects] male lambs, an unblemished [without blemish, perfect] ewe lamb a year old, a grain offering [gift of fine flour] of three-tenths [a tenth part, a tithe] of an ephah of fine flour [fine wheat flour, choice flour] mixed with olive oil [anointed, combined with oil], and one log [a unit of measurement, about half a liter] of olive oil [ointment]. word study 11 The priest [who serves God, leads worship] who performs the cleansing [to purify, make ceremonially clean] shall present the one to be cleansed [made pure, restored], together with these offerings [sacrifices, gifts to God], before the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] at the entrance [doorway, threshold] to the Tent [tabernacle, sacred dwelling] of Meeting [assembly, gathering place]. word study 12 Then the priest [the spiritual leader, mediator] is to take [receive, get] one of the male lambs [young rams] and present [offer, bring near] it as a guilt offering [sin offering, trespass, atonement], along with the log [unit of measurement, about half a liter] of olive oil [ointment]; and he must wave [move back and forth, sprinkle] them as a wave offering [token of dedication, worship] before the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 13 Then he is to slaughter [kill, put to death] the lamb [young ram, male sheep] in the sanctuary area [holy place, sacred location] where the sin offering [atonement, purification] and burnt offering [sacrifice, consecration] are slaughtered [killed, sacrificed]. Like the sin offering [atonement, guilt], the guilt offering [trespass, offense] belongs to the priest [spiritual leader, mediator]; it is most holy [set apart, consecrated, sacred]. word study 14 The priest [the one who serves God, a spiritual leader] is to take [receive, get] some of the blood [the liquid that flows through the body] from the guilt offering [a trespass or sin offering, an atonement for wrongdoing] and put [apply, anoint] it on the right earlobe [the tip or extremity of the ear] of the one to be cleansed [made pure, ceremonially clean], on the thumb [the largest digit] of his right [strong, dominant] hand, and on the big toe [the largest digit] of his right [strong, dominant] foot. word study 15 Then the priest [the one who serves God, a spiritual leader] shall take [get, receive] some of the log [a unit of measurement, about half a liter] of olive oil [ointment], pour [to flow, to make firm] it into his left [situated on the left side] palm [the inner surface of the hand], word study 16 dip his right forefinger into the oil [olive oil, ointment] in his left [indicating receptivity] palm, and sprinkle [to scatter or disperse] some of the oil with his finger [a toe] seven times before the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God]. word study 17 And the priest [the spiritual leader, mediator] is to put some of the oil [olive oil, ointment] remaining in his palm [the inner part of the hand] on the right earlobe [tip, extremity] of the one to be cleansed [made pure, ceremonially clean], on the thumb [big toe, largest digit] of his right hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share], and on the big toe [thumb, largest digit] of his right foot [the lower extremity], on top of the blood [the liquid essential for life] of the guilt offering [the trespass, offense, or fault]. word study 18 The rest [remainder, what is left] of the oil [olive oil, ointment] in his palm [the priest’s hand], the priest [a person who serves God, leads others in worship] is to put [place, anoint] on the head [the topmost part of the body] of the one to be cleansed [made pure, ceremonially clean], to make atonement [to cover, reconcile] for him before [in the presence of] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. word study 19 Then the priest [the spiritual leader, mediator] is to sacrifice [offer, present] the sin offering [atonement, purification] and make atonement [cover, reconcile] for the one to be cleansed [purified, made holy] from his uncleanness [impurity, moral defilement]. After that, the priest shall slaughter [kill, sacrifice] the burnt offering [gift, consecration] word study 20 and offer it on the altar [place of sacrifice], with the grain offering [meal offering, gift to God], to make atonement [cover, reconcile] for him, and he will be clean [pure, ceremonially cleansed]. word study 21 If, however, the person [is poor and destitute] is poor and cannot afford [is unable to get] these offerings, he is to take one male lamb [a young ram] as a guilt offering [a trespass offering, to make amends] to be waved [shaken, lifted up] to make atonement [to cover, to reconcile] for him, along with a tenth [one-tenth part, a tithe] of an ephah of fine flour [choice wheat, refined and pure] mixed with olive oil [anointed, consecrated] for a grain offering [a meal offering, a gift], a log [a unit of measurement, about half a liter] of olive oil [ointment], word study 22 and two [a pair, a dual offering] turtledoves or two young pigeons [a dove or pigeon], whichever he can afford [is able to get, reach with his hand], one to be a sin offering [an atonement for guilt, a purification sacrifice] and the other a burnt offering [a complete consecration, a step towards the altar]. word study 23 On the eighth [seventh after the first] day he is to bring them for his cleansing [purification, to be made clean] to the priest [one who serves God, a spiritual leader] at the entrance [door, gateway] to the Tent of Meeting [the tabernacle, a sacred place of worship] before the LORD [Yehovah, the one true God]. word study 24 The priest [a person who serves God and leads others in worship] shall take [receive, get] the lamb [a young ram or lamb, old enough to butt or fight] for the guilt [fault, trespass] offering [a sin offering to atone for wrongdoing], along with the log [a unit of measurement for liquids, about half a liter] of olive oil [ointment], and wave [move back and forth, sprinkle] them as a wave [a specific type of offering, where a portion is waved before God] offering before the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. word study 25 And after he slaughters [kills, immolates] the lamb [a young ram] for the guilt offering [a trespass or sin offering], the priest [a spiritual leader, mediator] is to take [receive, get] some of the blood [the life-giving fluid] of the guilt offering [a sin or trespass offering] and put it on the right earlobe [the tip of the ear] of the one to be cleansed [purified, made ritually clean], on the thumb [the big toe] of his right hand [the hand of strength and authority], and on the big toe [the largest digit] of his right foot [the foot of progress and journey]. word study 26 Then the priest [the spiritual leader, mediator] is to pour [to flow, to make liquid] some of the oil [anointing oil] into his left [situated on the left side, as opposed to the right] palm [the inner surface of the hand] [setting apart] word study 27 and sprinkle [shaking out drops] with his right [southern direction] forefinger [finger or toe, used to grasp] some of the oil [olive oil, ointment] in his left [situated on the left side] palm [the palm of the hand] seven times [occurrences, beats] before [in the presence of, face to face with] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. word study 28 The priest [the spiritual leader, mediator] shall also put some of the oil [olive oil, ointment] in his palm on the right earlobe [tip of the ear, organ of hearing] of the one to be cleansed [made pure, ceremonially clean], on the thumb [big toe, largest digit] of his right hand, and on the big toe [thumb, referring to the foot] of his right foot—on the same places as the blood [life-giving liquid, atonement] of the guilt offering [trespass, sin, or fault]. word study 29 The rest of the oil [remaining, left over] in his palm, the priest [one who serves God, a mediator] is to put on the head [the topmost part of the body] of the one to be cleansed [made pure, purified], to make atonement [to cover, to reconcile] for him before the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 30 Then he must sacrifice [offer as a gift to God] the turtledoves or young pigeons [a dove or pigeon], whichever [according to his ability, as he is able] he can afford [get, reach with his hand], word study 31 one [such as he is able to get] as a sin offering [for atonement, to cover guilt] and the other as a burnt offering [completely consumed by fire], together with the grain offering [a gift of thanksgiving, a meal offering]. In this way the priest [a mediator between God and man] will make atonement [cover, reconcile, restore] before the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] for the one to be cleansed [purified, made holy, set apart]. word study 32 This [specific instruction, divine law] is the law [instruction, guiding principle] for someone who has a skin disease [plague of leprosy] and cannot afford [is not able to get, reach] the cost [sacrifice, purifying offerings] of his cleansing [purification].” word study 33 Then the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] said [to speak, communicate, or command] to Moses [the Israelite leader, born to Amram and Jochebed] and Aaron [the brother of Moses, the first high priest of the Israelites], word study 34 “When you enter [come into, arrive at] the land [territory, region] of Canaan [the promised land, Israel], which I am giving [bestowing, granting] you as your possession [inheritance, heritage], and I put [place, inflict] a contamination [plague, disease] of mildew [leprosy, fungal infection] into a house [dwelling, building] in that land [country, territory], word study 35 the owner [master, one in charge] of the house [dwelling place, family home] shall come [approach, enter] and tell [declare, inform] the priest [spiritual leader, mediator], ‘Something [a plague, a disease] like mildew [a fungus, a defiling growth] has appeared [been seen, become visible] in my house [my home, my family’s dwelling].’ word study 36 The priest [the spiritual leader, mediator] must order [command, give instructions] that the house [the dwelling place, family home] be cleared [emptied, vacated] before he enters [goes in, approaches] it to examine [inspect, investigate] the mildew [the plague, disease], so that nothing [all things, everything] in the house [the place, the building] will become [be declared, considered] unclean [defiled, contaminated]. After this [then, afterwards], the priest [the minister, the servant of God] shall go in [enter, come] to inspect [examine, look at] the house [the home, the temple]. word study 37 He is to examine [look carefully, inspect] the house, and if the mildew [plague, disease] on the walls consists of green [greenish, yellowish] or red [reddish] depressions [hollow strakes, low areas] that appear to be beneath [lower than, deeper than] the surface of the wall [the visible outer layer], word study 38 the priest [a spiritual leader, one who serves God] shall go outside [to the door, away from] the doorway [entrance] of the house [a dwelling place, the physical structure] and close [shut, seal] it up [completely, for a period of time] for seven days [a period of time, 24-hour periods]. word study 39 On the seventh day the priest [a spiritual leader, one who serves God] is to return [to come back, to turn back] and inspect [to examine, to look carefully] the house [a dwelling place, a physical structure]. If the mildew [a plague, a disease] has spread [to increase, to grow] on the walls [the outer boundaries, the barriers], word study 40 he must order [give a command, instruct] that the contaminated [affected by the plague, diseased] stones [rocks, building materials] be pulled out [removed, taken away] and thrown [cast, tossed] into an unclean [impure, defiled] place [location, area] outside [beyond the boundaries of] the city [town, settlement]. word study 41 And he shall have the inside [all over, round about] of the house [dwelling place, temple] scraped [to strip, to segregate] completely and the plaster [mortar, clay] that is scraped [stripped, stripped off] off dumped [poured out, shed] into an unclean [impure, defiled] place [location, region] outside [beyond, without] the city [town, settlement]. word study 42 So different [alternative, other] stones must be obtained [taken, gathered] to replace [put in the place of] the contaminated [infected, diseased] ones, as well as additional [other, new] mortar [clay, plaster] to replaster [overspread, cover] the house [dwelling place, building]. word study 43 If the mildew [plague, disease] reappears [returns, comes again] in the house [dwelling place, family home] after the stones [rocks, foundation] have been torn out [removed, taken away] and the house [place, temple] has been scraped [cut off, trimmed] and replastered [overspread, smeared with plaster], word study 44 the priest [spiritual leader, mediator] must come [approach, enter] and inspect [examine, look carefully] it. If the mildew [leprosy, disease] has spread [increased, grown] in the house [dwelling place, family home], it is a destructive [harmful, fretting] mildew [leprosy, plague]; the house [place, building] is unclean [spiritually impure, defiled]. word study 45 It must be torn down [completely demolished, broken apart] with its stones [rocks, foundation], its timbers [wood, tree], and all [every part, everything] its plaster [mortar, clay], and taken [carried, brought] outside [beyond, out of] the city [town, settlement] to an unclean [impure, defiled] place [location, area]. word study 46 Anyone who enters [goes into, comes to] the house [dwelling place, temple] during any of the days [a 24-hour period or a figurative space of time] that it is closed up [shut, sealed] will be unclean [defiled, morally or ceremonially contaminated] until [as far as, till] evening [sunset, the end of the day]. word study 47 And anyone who [lies down to rest or sleeps] sleeps in the house [a dwelling place, including a family home] or eats [eats a meal, consumes food] in it must [cleanse, purify] wash his clothes [garments, outer coverings]. word study 48 If, however, the priest [the spiritual leader, mediator] comes and inspects [examines carefully, looks upon] it, and the mildew [plague, disease, a stroke or plague] has not spread [to overspread, to spread out] after the house [the dwelling place] has been replastered [to be smeared, to overlay], he shall pronounce [declare, to be pure] the house clean [pure, free from defilement], because the mildew [plague] is gone [healed, nirpah, to mend or cure]. word study 49 He is to take [get, acquire] two [a pair, a duo] birds [little birds, sparrows], cedar [strong and durable] wood, scarlet [deep red, crimson] yarn [thread, string], and hyssop [a purifying plant] to purify [cleanse, make holy] the house [a dwelling place, a home]; word study 50 and he shall slaughter [kill, immolate] one of the birds [a little bird, a sparrow] over fresh [running, living] water [a source of refreshment] in a clay [earthenware, pottery] pot [a vessel, an article]. word study 51 Then he shall take [get, acquire] the cedar wood [a strong and durable tree], the hyssop [a plant used for purification], the scarlet yarn [a deep red color], and the live bird [a living creature], dip them in the blood [the liquid that flows through the body] of the slaughtered [killed, sacrificed] bird and the fresh water [running, flowing], and sprinkle [scatter, disperse] the house [a dwelling place, a home] seven times. word study 52 And he shall cleanse [purify, make ritually clean] the house [dwelling place, temple] with the bird’s [little bird, sparrow] blood [the liquid that flows through the body], the fresh [running, living] water [source of refreshment], the live [living, alive] bird, the cedar wood [strong, durable tree], the hyssop [plant used for purification], and the scarlet [deep red, crimson] yarn [thread, cord]. word study 53 Finally, he is to release [let go, set free] the live [alive, having life] bird [a little bird, often hopping, like a sparrow] into the open [broad, expansive] fields [a flat area of land, used for cultivation] outside [beyond the wall or boundary of] the city [a town, a place with a wall or a watchman]. In this way [by this action, through this ritual] he will make atonement [cover, cleanse, purify] for the house [a dwelling place, a family home], and it will be [become, remain] clean [pure, morally and ceremonially]. word study 54 This [the specific instruction, law] is the law [instruction, guiding principle] for any [all manner of] infectious skin disease [plague of leprosy, contagious affliction], for a [scabby] scaly outbreak [scall, skin eruption], word study 55 for mildew [leprosy, a destructive plague] in clothing [garments, a covering] or in a house [a dwelling place, a family home], word study 56 and for a swelling [elevation, rising], rash [scab, eruption], or spot [bright spot, shining mark], word study 57 to determine [to teach, show, or point out] when something is clean [pure, ceremonially acceptable] or unclean [spiritually impure, contaminated]. This is the law [instruction, guiding principle] regarding skin diseases [leprosy, infectious conditions] and mildew [mold, fungal growth]. ” word study