Leviticus 14:5 - The priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.
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What does "Leviticus 14:5" mean?
This verse comes from the Old Testament book of Leviticus, specifically dealing with the ritual cleansing of someone who had been healed from a skin disease, likely a condition resembling leprosy (but not necessarily the same disease as modern leprosy). Let's break down Leviticus 14:5 to understand its meaning within that context:
"The priest shall command them...": The priest is the central figure in the ritual. He's responsible for directing and overseeing the cleansing process.
"...to kill one of the birds...": Two live, clean birds were brought for the ritual. One bird is to be killed.
"...in an earthen vessel...": An earthenware pot or bowl is used to contain the bird's blood. Earthenware was common, and if broken, it became ritually unclean.
"...over running water.": This is key. The bird is killed so that its blood is collected in the earthen vessel above fresh, flowing ("running") water. This water is often interpreted as a symbol of purification.
Symbolic Interpretation:
The Birds: The two birds symbolize the individual's separation from and potential return to community.
Killing the Bird: The killing of the first bird represents a sacrifice or offering related to purification.
Earthen Vessel: The vessel holding the blood may symbolize the fragility of life and the need for cleansing.
Running Water: The running water symbolizes purification, cleansing, and renewal.
The Broader Ritual (Context Matters):
Verse 5 is just a single step in a more complex ritual that involves:
1. Two Live Birds: Bringing two birds, cedarwood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop.
2. Killing One Bird: Killing one bird over the running water and collecting the blood in the earthen vessel.
3. Dipping: Dipping the living bird, the cedarwood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop into the blood.
4. Sprinkling: Sprinkling the blood seven times on the person being cleansed.
5. Releasing the Living Bird: Letting the living bird fly away into the open field.
6. Further Cleansing: The person then undergoes a period of isolation, washes their clothes, shaves, and makes further offerings.
The entire ritual is designed to symbolically cleanse the person from their former state of impurity and restore them to full participation in the community and religious life. It illustrates the process of acknowledging sin or impurity, seeking atonement or purification, and being restored to a state of wholeness and acceptance.
Leviticus 14:5 - The priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.
What does "Leviticus 14:5" mean?
This verse comes from the Old Testament book of Leviticus, specifically dealing with the ritual cleansing of someone who had been healed from a skin disease, likely a condition resembling leprosy (but not necessarily the same disease as modern leprosy). Let's break down Leviticus 14:5 to understand its meaning within that context:
"The priest shall command them...": The priest is the central figure in the ritual. He's responsible for directing and overseeing the cleansing process.
"...to kill one of the birds...": Two live, clean birds were brought for the ritual. One bird is to be killed.
"...in an earthen vessel...": An earthenware pot or bowl is used to contain the bird's blood. Earthenware was common, and if broken, it became ritually unclean.
"...over running water.": This is key. The bird is killed so that its blood is collected in the earthen vessel above fresh, flowing ("running") water. This water is often interpreted as a symbol of purification.
Symbolic Interpretation:
The Birds: The two birds symbolize the individual's separation from and potential return to community.
Killing the Bird: The killing of the first bird represents a sacrifice or offering related to purification.
Earthen Vessel: The vessel holding the blood may symbolize the fragility of life and the need for cleansing.
Running Water: The running water symbolizes purification, cleansing, and renewal.
The Broader Ritual (Context Matters):
Verse 5 is just a single step in a more complex ritual that involves:
1. Two Live Birds: Bringing two birds, cedarwood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop.
2. Killing One Bird: Killing one bird over the running water and collecting the blood in the earthen vessel.
3. Dipping: Dipping the living bird, the cedarwood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop into the blood.
4. Sprinkling: Sprinkling the blood seven times on the person being cleansed.
5. Releasing the Living Bird: Letting the living bird fly away into the open field.
6. Further Cleansing: The person then undergoes a period of isolation, washes their clothes, shaves, and makes further offerings.
The entire ritual is designed to symbolically cleanse the person from their former state of impurity and restore them to full participation in the community and religious life. It illustrates the process of acknowledging sin or impurity, seeking atonement or purification, and being restored to a state of wholeness and acceptance.