Leviticus 14:40 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 14:40 mean?

Leviticus 14:40 describes the priest’s command to remove the stones from a house that have been contaminated by a spreading disease, and to throw those stones into a place outside the city that is considered unclean. This is part of the instructions for dealing with what the text calls a “plague” in a house, ensuring that the contamination does not spread.

In this verse, God is giving Moses laws for the Israelites about how to handle houses affected by a serious mold or mildew, which is described as a "plague." The priest (not the homeowner) is the one who gives the order to remove the affected stones, showing that the process is official and careful. The contaminated stones are not just thrown away anywhere; they are taken to a designated unclean place outside the city, which keeps the community safe from further contamination.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 14:40

• The word for “priest” is כֹּהֵן (kohen), showing that only a religious official had the authority to make decisions about ritual cleanliness and contamination.
• The word for “plague” is נֶגַע (nega‘), which often refers to a mark, spot, or affliction, not just a disease but any kind of visible contamination that could make something ritually impure.
• The word for “unclean” is טָמֵא (tame’), which means ritually impure or defiled. This highlights that the place where the stones are taken is not just physically dirty, but officially recognized as unsuitable for holy or everyday use.
• The word for “without” is חוּץ (chuts), meaning outside or beyond, emphasizing that the contaminated material must be completely removed from the living area of the community.

Why Leviticus 14:40 matters

• Leviticus 14:40 shows that ritual purity in ancient Israel was taken seriously, even extending to buildings, not just people or objects.
• The verse clarifies that dealing with contamination was a community matter, overseen by priests, not left to individuals to handle as they saw fit.
• This instruction fits into a larger section about maintaining holiness and health in the camp, connecting physical cleanliness with spiritual and communal well-being.