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 14:37KJV
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Leviticus 14:37 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“greenish” Hebrew H3422 · used in 3 verses

  • Leviticus 13:49 And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be shewed unto the priest:
  • Psalms 68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

“reddish” Hebrew H125 · used in 6 verses

  • Leviticus 13:19 And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be shewed to the priest;
  • Leviticus 13:24 Or if there be any flesh, in the skin whereof there is a hot burning, and the quick flesh that burneth have a white bright spot, somewhat reddish, or white;
  • Leviticus 13:43 Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;

“lower” Hebrew H8217 · used in 18 verses

  • Leviticus 13:20 And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
  • Psalms 138:6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
  • Ezekiel 17:14 That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.

“than” Hebrew H4480 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Leviticus 9:10 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 1 Kings 6:16 And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.