Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even.

LEVITICUS 14:46KJV
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Leviticus 14:46 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 14:46 mean?

Leviticus 14:46 says that anyone who enters a house that has been shut up because of suspected disease will be considered unclean until evening. This rule is part of the instructions for dealing with houses that might be contaminated, and it sets a clear boundary for ritual purity.

In this passage, God is giving Moses and the Israelites detailed laws about how to handle houses that might have a kind of mold or mildew, which was seen as a serious problem. The verse makes it clear that even entering such a house, while it is officially closed off, brings ritual impurity for the rest of the day. This instruction is part of a larger set of laws about cleanliness and community health.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 14:46

  • "goeth" (בּוֹא, bo) means "to enter" or "to go in." The word emphasizes the act of physically entering the house, not just being near it.
  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayit) refers to a dwelling place, making it clear that the law applies to any home, not just public or religious buildings.
  • "shut" (סָגַר, sagar) means "to shut up" or "to close off." This word highlights that the house is officially sealed, not just casually closed.
  • "unclean" (טָמֵא, tame) means ritually impure, which affected a person’s ability to participate in community and worship until they became clean again.
  • "even" (עֶרֶב, erev) means "evening," marking the end of the period of impurity and the time when purification could begin.

Why Leviticus 14:46 matters

  • This verse clarifies that ritual impurity was not just about personal sickness but could also come from contact with contaminated places, showing the seriousness of community health.
  • The rule about being unclean "until the even" sets a specific, limited time for impurity, which helped people know when they could rejoin normal life.
  • Leviticus 14:46 fits into a larger section about purity laws, showing the careful boundaries set for the Israelites to keep both their bodies and their living spaces clean.

Where else these words appear

“shut” Hebrew H5462 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
  • 1 Samuel 17:46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
  • Job 12:14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

“even” Hebrew H6153 · used in 130 verses

  • Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • 1 Kings 17:6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

“unclean” Hebrew H2930 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 34:5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
  • Leviticus 15:20 And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.
  • Deuteronomy 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day;(for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.