Leviticus 14

Leviticus 14:3

GOe forth] It is said, vers. 2. the leper shall be brought unto the Priest; here, that the Priest shall goe forth to the leper; yet no contradiction: for the leper remained at some distance out of the Campe, and the Priest coming to the out-side of it toward the leper, the leper made his approach unto him.

Leviticus 14:4

and cleane] That is, such as by the law were permitted to be eaten; the birds mentioned before for oblations, were Turtles and Pigeons; these are taken to be sparrows, according to the other reading in the margine.

Leviticus 14:5

shall command] The Priest was not to kill the bird, for it was not properly for a sacrifice, since it was to be done far from the Altar, and without the Campe; but for expiation of the leprous person by the sprinkling of the bloud of it upon him.

that one of the birds be killed over running water] Water and bloud are here to be mingled together; for Christ (whose Passion was typified by these sacrifices) came by water and bloud, 1 John 5:6.

Leviticus 14:6

and the Cedar-wood] The manner of this sprinkling is conceived to be thus; there was a rod or stick of Cedar-wood, to the top whereof was tied the live bird with the taile upward, and head towards the handle of the stick; with the bird was tyed Scarlet wool; then was the bird both wings and taile plunged into the water, coloured with the bloud of the killed bird, and therewith was the leper sprinkled; and after that, the live bird sprinkled with the bloud of the killed bird was set at libertie, to flie away. In this expiation some observe this conformitie betwixt the leprous contagion, and the law of cleansing: as first, the leprosie did corrupt and putrefie the skinne; opposite to that was Cedar-wood, which is commended for firmenesse and soundnesse against putrefaction. Secondly, the leprosie was of a very foule and offensive colour; contrary to that was the fresh and faire colour of Scarlet. Thirdly, the leprosie had a very ill and unsavory sent; the sweetnesse of Hyssope was a remedy against that. Fourthly, the leprosie did eate up the body, by a consumption of the flesh, and it may be, caused death; the sparrow let loose and flying abroad, was a symbole, or significant signe of the recovery of the health, and consequently of the continuance of the life of the leprous.

Leviticus 14:7

seven times] That number is often used in holy ministrations, as also in miraculous operations, 2 Kings 5:10. 14. by reason of Gods resting on the seventh day, as witnessing the perfection of his creatures made the 6. dayes before; so that there was no need of any more to be done: see Annot. on Chap. 8. vers. 11. yet sometimes seven is taken for many.

living bird loose] Signifying that he that was made clean was set at libertie, and restored to the company of others. By these two birds some take to be signified the two natures of Christ, the one subject to death, the other secured from death.

Leviticus 14:8

seven dayes] Though he were admitted to come into the Campe, yet must he not for seven dayes returne to his owne tent, lest some remainders of the leprosie should lie hid, and by familiar society should be transmitted to the infection of his wife, or any of the family.

Leviticus 14:9

shave] He was shaven before, vers. 8. and at seven dayes end was to be shaven againe; for washing and shaving were of use for the clearing of the party from his leprosie.

Leviticus 14:10

log of oyle] A Log was the least measure for moist things, containing the quantitie of five egges; or, as some say, sixe of ordinary bignesse.

Leviticus 14:11

maketh him cleane] That is, pronounceth him. See Annot. 4 on Chap. 13. vers. 3.

Leviticus 14:13

Holy place] In the Court of the Tabernacle, beside the Altar of burnt offerings.

is the Priests] * Chap. 6. vers. 26, 27.

most holy] Of oblations that were to be eaten, none were more holy.

Leviticus 14:14

tip of] See Annot. on Exodus 29:20.

Leviticus 14:16

before the Lord] Before the doore of the Tabernacle where God gave evidence of his especiall presence.

Leviticus 14:19

the burnt-offering] That is, the lambe of the first yeare; the sin-offering was to be made for reconciliation with God, before he would accept an oblation of thankesgiving from man. Some demand, why there should be an offering for leprosie, it being no sinne? the Answer is, that though it be not a sinne in it selfe; that is, no breach of the morall law, yet the ceremoniall law requireth a cleanenesse to which the leprosie is contrary; and so it may be said to be ceremonially a sinne; or it may require a sacrifice, because it many times presupposeth a guilt of sinne which did deserve such a shamefull curse; as you may see in the case of Miriam, Numbers 12. vers. 10.

Leviticus 14:21

waved] Of the waving of the offering, see Annot. on Exodus 29:24.

Leviticus 14:34

I put a plague] See Annot. on Chap. 13. vers. 59.

Leviticus 14:36

that all that is in the house be not made uncleane] To wit, upon the Priests pronunciation of the uncleannesse; from whence, and not before, the ceremoniall uncleannesse was conracted: the like is to be beleeved of company with the leprous person before his uncleannesse be legally proclaimed.

Leviticus 14:37

in the walls] Which argud a strong and strange infection, whether of the aire, or breath of the leper which is so much the fitter to set forth the infection of sinne, whereof leprosie is both an effect and a type: for as the leprosie is so infective that it reacheth even to the walls of the house, and fretteth and corrupteth them even to their ruine; so doth the guilt of sinne bring judgement, not onely upon the person of the sinner, but upon the timber and stones of the house: see Zach. 5. vers. 4.

Leviticus 14:41

an uncleane place] Where carrions were cast, and other filth, that the people might not be therewith infected.

Leviticus 14:45

he shall breake] That is, he shall command it to be pulled downe, as vers. 40.

Leviticus 14:49

scarlet] It seemeth that this was a scarlet-coloured lace, or twisted string, to binde the hyssop to the wood; the Apostle to the Hebrewes, calleth it scarlet wooll, Hebrews 9:19.