Leviticus 14:50 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 14:50 mean?

Leviticus 14:50 describes part of a ritual for cleansing someone who had a skin disease: the priest is to kill one of two birds in a clay pot over running water. This act is a specific step in a larger process meant to symbolize purification and restoration.

In this passage, God is giving Moses detailed instructions for priests to follow when someone is healed from a skin disease, often called "leprosy" in older translations. The ritual involves two birds, a clay vessel, and fresh, flowing water, all of which have symbolic meaning in the context of ancient Israelite worship and purity laws.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 14:50

• "kill" (שָׁחַט, shachat): This word means to slaughter or kill, usually in a ritual sense. The act is not casual but part of a sacred process.
• "earthen" (חֶרֶשׂ, cheres): This refers to a clay or pottery vessel, which was considered humble and easily broken—often used in rituals involving purification or sin.
• "running" (חַי, chai): Literally meaning "living," this word describes the water as "living water," or fresh, flowing water, not stagnant. This detail emphasizes the idea of life and renewal in the cleansing ritual.

Why Leviticus 14:50 matters

• The verse highlights how seriously ancient Israel treated ritual purity, using specific materials and actions to symbolize cleansing.
• The use of "living water" connects this ritual to other biblical themes where fresh, flowing water represents life, renewal, and God's provision.
• Understanding the details of this ritual helps clarify the broader context of Leviticus 14, which is about restoring people to community and worship after illness, not just physical healing.