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;
LEVITICUS 14:37KJVWhat does Leviticus 14:37 mean?
Leviticus 14:37 describes a priest inspecting a house for signs of a spreading disease, looking specifically for greenish or reddish hollow streaks in the walls that appear sunken compared to the rest of the wall. If these marks are found, it signals a serious problem that needs further attention according to Israelite law.
In this verse, God is giving instructions to Moses and Aaron about how to identify a type of contamination in a house, often called "plague" or "mildew." The priest is to look for certain visible signs—especially discoloration and depressions in the wall—which would indicate that the house might be ritually unclean. This is part of a larger set of laws about purity and health for the community.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 14:37
- "plague" (נֶגַע, nega‘): This word means a mark, spot, or affliction, and here it refers to a physical sign of disease or impurity in the house. It is the main concern of the inspection.
- "strakes" (שְׁקַע, sheqa‘): This word points to streaks or depressions, describing the hollow or sunken appearance of the marks. It highlights that the problem is not just color, but also a change in the wall’s surface.
- "greenish" (יְרַקְרַק, yerakraq) and "reddish" (אֲדַמְדָּם, adamdam): These words describe the specific colors the priest is to look for, which are unusual and signal something unhealthy or unnatural in the wall.
- "lower" (שָׁפָל, shafal): This word means "depressed" or "lowered," emphasizing that the affected area is not flush with the rest of the wall, but sunken in.
Why Leviticus 14:37 matters
- Leviticus 14:37 shows that the inspection is not just about surface stains, but also about changes in the structure of the wall, which could indicate a deeper problem.
- The verse clarifies that ritual impurity in ancient Israel could affect homes, not just people or clothing, showing the broad concern for holiness and health in daily life.
- This verse fits into a larger context where priests acted as health inspectors, blending spiritual and practical roles for the well-being of the community.