Leviticus 14:51 - He shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.
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What does "Leviticus 14:51" mean?
This verse is part of the purification ritual for someone who has been cleansed of a skin disease, likely leprosy, as described in Leviticus 14. Let's break it down:
"He": This refers to the priest.
"Cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet": These are symbolic materials:
Cedar wood: Known for its durability and resistance to decay, cedar wood may symbolize permanence or incorruptibility.
Hyssop: A small, bushy plant, often associated with purification. Its absorbent qualities made it suitable for sprinkling liquids.
Scarlet: A bright red color, often associated with blood, life, or atonement.
"Living bird": This represents life and freedom. The bird is alive and free at the beginning of the ritual.
"Slain bird": Represents death.
"Dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water": The cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet are dipped into a mixture of the dead bird's blood and fresh water (running water, also known as "living water", symbolizes purity and cleansing). This combination of death (blood of the slain bird) and life/purity (running water) is significant.
"Sprinkle the house seven times": The mixture is then sprinkled on the house (or the person, in other related verses) seven times. The number seven is often associated with completeness or perfection in the Bible. This action symbolizes the cleansing and purification of the house from the disease.
Symbolic Interpretation:
The ritual combines several powerful symbols:
Death and Life: The slain bird and the living bird highlight the contrast between death and life, illness and health. The use of the slain bird's blood suggests that death has been dealt with.
Purification: The hyssop and running water are clearly related to purification.
Atonement: The scarlet and the blood suggest atonement, a covering or cleansing for sin. Although the disease is not explicitly equated with sin, there is a parallel as both require ritual cleansing to restore wholeness and community acceptance.
Release and Freedom: After this ritual is completed (as described in subsequent verses), the living bird is released into the open field, symbolizing the freedom and restoration of the person (or house) to health and normalcy.
Overall Meaning:
The verse describes a symbolic act of purification and atonement. It is a visual representation of the process by which a person or object afflicted by a skin disease is cleansed and restored to a state of purity and wholeness, allowing them to be reintegrated into the community. The ritual combines elements of death, life, cleansing, and release, representing a complete transformation from a state of impurity to one of purity and freedom.
Leviticus 14:51 - He shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.
What does "Leviticus 14:51" mean?
This verse is part of the purification ritual for someone who has been cleansed of a skin disease, likely leprosy, as described in Leviticus 14. Let's break it down:
"He": This refers to the priest.
"Cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet": These are symbolic materials:
Cedar wood: Known for its durability and resistance to decay, cedar wood may symbolize permanence or incorruptibility.
Hyssop: A small, bushy plant, often associated with purification. Its absorbent qualities made it suitable for sprinkling liquids.
Scarlet: A bright red color, often associated with blood, life, or atonement.
"Living bird": This represents life and freedom. The bird is alive and free at the beginning of the ritual.
"Slain bird": Represents death.
"Dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water": The cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet are dipped into a mixture of the dead bird's blood and fresh water (running water, also known as "living water", symbolizes purity and cleansing). This combination of death (blood of the slain bird) and life/purity (running water) is significant.
"Sprinkle the house seven times": The mixture is then sprinkled on the house (or the person, in other related verses) seven times. The number seven is often associated with completeness or perfection in the Bible. This action symbolizes the cleansing and purification of the house from the disease.
Symbolic Interpretation:
The ritual combines several powerful symbols:
Death and Life: The slain bird and the living bird highlight the contrast between death and life, illness and health. The use of the slain bird's blood suggests that death has been dealt with.
Purification: The hyssop and running water are clearly related to purification.
Atonement: The scarlet and the blood suggest atonement, a covering or cleansing for sin. Although the disease is not explicitly equated with sin, there is a parallel as both require ritual cleansing to restore wholeness and community acceptance.
Release and Freedom: After this ritual is completed (as described in subsequent verses), the living bird is released into the open field, symbolizing the freedom and restoration of the person (or house) to health and normalcy.
Overall Meaning:
The verse describes a symbolic act of purification and atonement. It is a visual representation of the process by which a person or object afflicted by a skin disease is cleansed and restored to a state of purity and wholeness, allowing them to be reintegrated into the community. The ritual combines elements of death, life, cleansing, and release, representing a complete transformation from a state of impurity to one of purity and freedom.