Leviticus 14:37
Leviticus 14:37 in Multiple Translations
He is to examine the house, and if the mildew on the walls consists of green or red depressions that appear to be beneath the surface of the wall,
And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall;
and he shall look on the plague; and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, and the appearance thereof be lower than the wall;
And if he sees that the walls of the house are marked with hollows of green and red, and if it seems to go deeper than the face of the wall;
He will examine the house and see if the mold on the walls is made up of green or red indentations that go under the surface,
And hee shall marke the plague: and if the plague be in the walles of the house, and that there be deepe spots, greenish or reddish, which seeme to be lower then the wall,
and he hath seen the plague, and lo, the plague [is] in the walls of the house, hollow strakes, very green or very red, and their appearance [is] lower than the wall,
He shall examine the plague; and behold, if the plague is in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, and it appears to be deeper than the wall,
And he shall look on the plague, and behold, if the plague is in the walls of the house, with hollow streaks, greenish, or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall;
And if he see in the walls thereof as it were little dints, disfigured with paleness or redness, and lower than all the rest,
After the owner takes everything outside of his house, the priest will go in and inspect the house. If the mildew has caused greenish or reddish spots/depressions on the walls that seem to be deeper than only on the surface of the walls,
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 14:37
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 14:37 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/רָאָ֣ה
אֶת
הַ/נֶּ֗גַע
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
הַ/נֶּ֨גַע֙
בְּ/קִירֹ֣ת
הַ/בַּ֔יִת
שְׁקַֽעֲרוּרֹת֙
יְרַקְרַקֹּ֔ת
א֖וֹ
אֲדַמְדַּמֹּ֑ת
וּ/מַרְאֵי/הֶ֥ן
שָׁפָ֖ל
מִן
הַ/קִּֽיר
וְ/רָאָ֣ה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/נֶּ֗גַע
negaʻ
H5061
plague
Art | N-ms
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part
הַ/נֶּ֨גַע֙
negaʻ
H5061
plague
Art | N-ms
בְּ/קִירֹ֣ת
qîyr
H7023
wall
Prep | N-mp
הַ/בַּ֔יִת
bayith
H1004
place
Art | N-ms
שְׁקַֽעֲרוּרֹת֙
shᵉqaʻrûwrâh
H8258
hollow
N-fp
יְרַקְרַקֹּ֔ת
yᵉraqraq
H3422
greenish
Adj
א֖וֹ
ʼôw
H176
or
Conj
אֲדַמְדַּמֹּ֑ת
ʼădamdâm
H125
reddish
Adj
וּ/מַרְאֵי/הֶ֥ן
marʼeh
H4758
appearance
Conj | N-mp | Suff
שָׁפָ֖ל
shâphâl
H8217
low
Adj
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הַ/קִּֽיר
qîyr
H7023
wall
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 14:37
וְ/רָאָ֣ה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/נֶּ֗גַע
negaʻ
H5061
"plague"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to a plague or disease, like leprosy. It is used in Leviticus to describe the effects of sin and in Deuteronomy to warn against disobedience. The word can also mean a wound or a spot.
Definition: 1) stroke, plague, disease, mark, plague spot 1a) stroke, wound 1b) stroke (metaphorical of disease) 1c) mark (of leprosy)
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: plague, sore, stricken, stripe, stroke, wound. See also: Genesis 12:17; Leviticus 13:55; Psalms 38:12.
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
הַ/נֶּ֨גַע֙
negaʻ
H5061
"plague"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to a plague or disease, like leprosy. It is used in Leviticus to describe the effects of sin and in Deuteronomy to warn against disobedience. The word can also mean a wound or a spot.
Definition: 1) stroke, plague, disease, mark, plague spot 1a) stroke, wound 1b) stroke (metaphorical of disease) 1c) mark (of leprosy)
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: plague, sore, stricken, stripe, stroke, wound. See also: Genesis 12:17; Leviticus 13:55; Psalms 38:12.
בְּ/קִירֹ֣ת
qîyr
H7023
"wall"
Prep | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a wall, often referring to the walls of houses, chambers, or even the altar. It is used to describe structures built for protection or division. The KJV translates it as wall or side.
Definition: 1) wall, side 1a) wall (of house or chamber) 1b) the sides (of the altar)
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] mason, side, town, [idiom] very, wall. See also: Exodus 30:3; 2 Chronicles 3:11; Psalms 62:4.
הַ/בַּ֔יִת
bayith
H1004
"place"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
שְׁקַֽעֲרוּרֹת֙
shᵉqaʻrûwrâh
H8258
"hollow"
N-fp
A hollow is a low area or depression, like a valley or a strake in a wall. It can be a physical location, such as a hollow tree or a hollow in the ground, as seen in 1 Kings 17.
Definition: depression, hollow
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: hollow strake. See also: Leviticus 14:37.
יְרַקְרַקֹּ֔ת
yᵉraqraq
H3422
"greenish"
Adj
This Hebrew word describes a greenish or yellowish color, used to picture something pale green or greenish-yellow. It is used in the Bible to describe natural scenery.
Definition: greenish, pale green, greenish-yellow
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: greenish, yellow. See also: Leviticus 13:49; Leviticus 14:37; Psalms 68:14.
א֖וֹ
ʼôw
H176
"or"
Conj
Desire can also mean or, and, or if, showing a choice between options, as seen in Proverbs 31:4. It is used to express alternatives or possibilities.
Definition: 1) or, rather 1a) implying that the latter choice is preferred 1b) or if, introducing an example to be seen under a particular principle 1c) (in series) either...or, whether...or 1d) if perchance 1e) except, or else 2) whether, not the least, if, otherwise, also, and, then
Usage: Occurs in 218 OT verses. KJV: also, and, either, if, at the least, [idiom] nor, or, otherwise, then, whether. See also: Genesis 24:49; Leviticus 25:49; Proverbs 30:31.
אֲדַמְדַּמֹּ֑ת
ʼădamdâm
H125
"reddish"
Adj
The Hebrew word 'adamdam' describes something as reddish in color. It is used to describe objects or people with a reddish hue. This term appears in passages like Genesis, where it describes the color of objects.
Definition: reddish, be reddish
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: (somewhat) reddish. See also: Leviticus 13:19; Leviticus 13:43; Leviticus 14:37.
וּ/מַרְאֵי/הֶ֥ן
marʼeh
H4758
"appearance"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a sight or appearance, and can describe something beautiful or a supernatural vision. It encompasses various aspects of seeing, including physical and mental perceptions, and is used in different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) sight, appearance, vision 1a) sight, phenomenon, spectacle, appearance, vision 1b) what is seen 1c) a vision (supernatural) 1d) sight, vision (power of seeing)
Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] apparently, appearance(-reth), [idiom] as soon as beautiful(-ly), countenance, fair, favoured, form, goodly, to look (up) on (to), look(-eth), pattern, to see, seem, sight, visage, vision. See also: Genesis 2:9; Job 41:1; Isaiah 11:3.
שָׁפָ֖ל
shâphâl
H8217
"low"
Adj
This word means to be low or humble, either in physical height or in social status, often used to describe someone's character or condition. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, such as in Psalms and Proverbs. It signifies a lack of pride or arrogance.
Definition: 1) low, humble 1a) low (in height) 1b) low (in station), humble (of condition or spirit) 1c) humiliated 1d) lowly (as subst)
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: base(-st), humble, low(-er, -ly). See also: Leviticus 13:20; Ecclesiastes 12:4; Psalms 138:6.
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/קִּֽיר
qîyr
H7023
"wall"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a wall, often referring to the walls of houses, chambers, or even the altar. It is used to describe structures built for protection or division. The KJV translates it as wall or side.
Definition: 1) wall, side 1a) wall (of house or chamber) 1b) the sides (of the altar)
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] mason, side, town, [idiom] very, wall. See also: Exodus 30:3; 2 Chronicles 3:11; Psalms 62:4.
Study Notes — Leviticus 14:37
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 14:37 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 14:37
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 14:37
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 14:37
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 14:37
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 14:37
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 14:37
Context — Signs of Home Contamination
35the owner of the house shall come and tell the priest, ‘Something like mildew has appeared in my house.’
36The priest must order that the house be cleared before he enters it to examine the mildew, so that nothing in the house will become unclean. After this, the priest shall go in to inspect the house.
37He is to examine the house, and if the mildew on the walls consists of green or red depressions that appear to be beneath the surface of the wall,
38the priest shall go outside the doorway of the house and close it up for seven days. 39On the seventh day the priest is to return and inspect the house. If the mildew has spread on the walls,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 13:42 | But if there is a reddish-white sore on the bald head or forehead, it is an infectious disease breaking out on it. |
| 2 | Leviticus 13:3 | The priest is to examine the infection on his skin, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin, it is a skin disease. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean. |
| 3 | Leviticus 13:19–20 | and a white swelling or a reddish-white spot develops where the boil was, he must present himself to the priest. The priest shall examine it, and if it appears to be beneath the skin and the hair in it has turned white, the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a diseased infection that has broken out in the boil. |
| 4 | Leviticus 13:49 | and if the mark in the fabric, leather, weave, knit, or leather article is green or red, then it is contaminated with mildew and must be shown to the priest. |
Leviticus 14:37 Summary
In Leviticus 14:37, the priest is inspecting a house with mildew to see how deep the problem goes. This is like how God looks at our hearts to see if we have any 'mildew' or sin that needs to be cleaned. Just as the priest needed to take action to clean the house, we need to ask God to clean our hearts and make us new, as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17. By seeking God's help and guidance, we can be cleansed and renewed, just like the house in Leviticus 14:37.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the green or red depressions in Leviticus 14:37?
The green or red depressions that appear to be beneath the surface of the wall signify a deeper issue, much like sin can have a deeper impact on our lives, as seen in Psalm 51:7, where David asks to be cleansed from his sin.
Why did the priest need to examine the house in Leviticus 14:37?
The priest's examination was necessary to determine the extent of the mildew's spread and to take appropriate action, much like Jesus examines our hearts to see if we are genuinely seeking Him, as in Jeremiah 17:10.
What can we learn from the priest's role in Leviticus 14:37?
The priest's role teaches us about the importance of spiritual leaders guiding us in our walk with God, as seen in Hebrews 13:17, where we are encouraged to obey our spiritual leaders.
How does Leviticus 14:37 relate to our spiritual lives?
This verse can be seen as a metaphor for how sin can spread and infect our lives, and the need for spiritual cleansing and renewal, as spoken of in 2 Corinthians 7:1, where we are encouraged to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'green or red depressions' in my own life that I need to bring before God for examination and cleansing?
- How can I, like the priest, carefully examine my own heart and life to identify areas that need spiritual renewal?
- What are some ways I can apply the principle of spiritual examination and cleansing in my daily life, just as the priest did in Leviticus 14:37?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of seeking spiritual guidance and leadership in my life?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 14:37
And he shall look on the plague,.... That which is taken or suspected to be one, being pointed unto by the owner of the house: and, behold, [if] the plague [be] in the walls of the house; for there
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 14:37
When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession; Leprosy in a house.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 14:37
In the walls of the house this was an extraordinary judgment of God peculiar to this people, either as a punishment of their sins, which were much more sinful and inexcusable than the sins of other nations; or as a special mean and help to repentance, which God afforded to them above other people; or as a document of the mischievous nature of sin, typified by leprosy, which did not only destroy persons, but their habitations also: see . With hollow strakes, such as were in the bodies of leprous persons, .
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 14:37
(37) With hollow strakes, greenish or reddish.—If the house is really leprous, the priest on inspecting it will find in the walls the same three symptoms which are visible in the skin of leprous human beings: (1) hollow strakes, or, rather, deep cavities or depressions, which the ancient canons define as a depression deeper than the rest of the wall, being the same symptom as in man (see Leviticus 13:3); (2) a greenish or (3) a reddish spot, which were the second and third symptoms of leprosy in men and garments. (Comp. Leviticus 13:49.) According to the canons which obtained during the second Temple, the size of this discoloured spot on the wall had to be that of two beans.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 14:37
Leprosy in houses (33–53) Nothing definite is known about these appearances on the walls of a house, which are here described as leprosy. It was regarded as a special visitation of God (Leviticus 14:34, ‘I put the plague’); the Jews believed that the plague was peculiar to Palestine and the chosen people, and was not found in the houses of foreigners. The owner of the house must say ‘There seemeth to me …’ (Leviticus 14:35): the decision whether the house is leprous rests with the priest. The order to empty the house before the priest comes to inspect shews that there is no fear of contagion. It has been suggested that the appearances were due to damp, or decay, or the growth of some vegetable matter. The diagnosis is similar to that for leprosy in man; the remedy is to remove the stones in which the plague is, and to scrape and plaister the house. If the plague is not stayed, the house must be pulled down. The method of purification if the house be pronounced clean is the same as that prescribed for the leper in Leviticus 14:4-7. Further regulations are found in Negâim, chs. 12, 13.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 14:37
37. Hollow streaks — The Hebrew for both these words is depression, or sunken place. This is the first test of the leprosy; the second was the greenish or reddish colour.