Leviticus 14:53 - but he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field. So shall he make atonement for the house; and it shall be clean.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Leviticus 14:53" mean?
This verse, Leviticus 14:53, is part of the ritual for cleansing a house afflicted with a type of mildew or mold considered a plague in ancient Israel. Let's break down its meaning within the larger context of Leviticus 14:
The Context: Leviticus 14 details the process for dealing with various skin diseases and infectious mildew or mold. These were not seen as simple medical problems, but as sources of ritual impurity that made a person or object unclean and unfit for participation in communal life.
"But he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field": This is the key action of this verse. After other steps (like examining the house, removing affected stones, replastering), two birds are involved in the cleansing ritual. One bird is killed over fresh water in an earthenware vessel. The second bird is dipped into the mixture of the dead bird's blood, water, cedarwood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. Then, this living bird is set free outside the city walls. The release of the living bird symbolizes the removal of the impurity from the house and its expulsion from the community. The "open field" is outside the area of human habitation, signifying complete removal and separation.
"So shall he make atonement for the house": The actions described (including the release of the bird) are not simply about hygiene; they are about making atonement. Atonement means to make amends or reconciliation, to cleanse from sin or defilement. In this context, the atonement is for the house, meaning it is ritually cleansed of the impurity caused by the mildew or mold.
"and it shall be clean": This is the result of the atonement process. The house is declared ritually clean, meaning it is no longer a source of impurity and can be safely inhabited again.
Symbolic Significance:
The Two Birds: The use of two birds is thought to symbolize the duality of death and life. One bird is killed, representing the death of the impurity and the judgment upon it. The other bird is set free, representing the renewed life and freedom from impurity.
Blood and Water: The mixture of blood and water is a recurring motif in the Bible, often associated with cleansing and atonement. Blood symbolizes life poured out, while water symbolizes cleansing.
Cedarwood, Scarlet Yarn, and Hyssop: These items also have symbolic meaning:
Cedarwood: Represents incorruptibility and strength.
Scarlet Yarn: Represents blood and atonement.
Hyssop: A humble plant used for sprinkling, symbolizing purification.
Release into the Open Field: The release of the bird into the open field represents the complete and utter removal of the impurity. It is taken outside the community and set free, never to return.
In summary, Leviticus 14:53 is a crucial part of a ritual for cleansing a house from a type of mildew or mold considered ritually defiling. The release of the living bird symbolizes the removal of the impurity from the house and its expulsion from the community, resulting in atonement and the declaration of the house as clean.
Leviticus 14:53 - but he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field. So shall he make atonement for the house; and it shall be clean.”
What does "Leviticus 14:53" mean?
This verse, Leviticus 14:53, is part of the ritual for cleansing a house afflicted with a type of mildew or mold considered a plague in ancient Israel. Let's break down its meaning within the larger context of Leviticus 14:
The Context: Leviticus 14 details the process for dealing with various skin diseases and infectious mildew or mold. These were not seen as simple medical problems, but as sources of ritual impurity that made a person or object unclean and unfit for participation in communal life.
"But he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field": This is the key action of this verse. After other steps (like examining the house, removing affected stones, replastering), two birds are involved in the cleansing ritual. One bird is killed over fresh water in an earthenware vessel. The second bird is dipped into the mixture of the dead bird's blood, water, cedarwood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. Then, this living bird is set free outside the city walls. The release of the living bird symbolizes the removal of the impurity from the house and its expulsion from the community. The "open field" is outside the area of human habitation, signifying complete removal and separation.
"So shall he make atonement for the house": The actions described (including the release of the bird) are not simply about hygiene; they are about making atonement. Atonement means to make amends or reconciliation, to cleanse from sin or defilement. In this context, the atonement is for the house, meaning it is ritually cleansed of the impurity caused by the mildew or mold.
"and it shall be clean": This is the result of the atonement process. The house is declared ritually clean, meaning it is no longer a source of impurity and can be safely inhabited again.
Symbolic Significance:
The Two Birds: The use of two birds is thought to symbolize the duality of death and life. One bird is killed, representing the death of the impurity and the judgment upon it. The other bird is set free, representing the renewed life and freedom from impurity.
Blood and Water: The mixture of blood and water is a recurring motif in the Bible, often associated with cleansing and atonement. Blood symbolizes life poured out, while water symbolizes cleansing.
Cedarwood, Scarlet Yarn, and Hyssop: These items also have symbolic meaning:
Cedarwood: Represents incorruptibility and strength.
Scarlet Yarn: Represents blood and atonement.
Hyssop: A humble plant used for sprinkling, symbolizing purification.
Release into the Open Field: The release of the bird into the open field represents the complete and utter removal of the impurity. It is taken outside the community and set free, never to return.
In summary, Leviticus 14:53 is a crucial part of a ritual for cleansing a house from a type of mildew or mold considered ritually defiling. The release of the living bird symbolizes the removal of the impurity from the house and its expulsion from the community, resulting in atonement and the declaration of the house as clean.