Preface:    The first half of Leviticus 14 answers the question, what ceremonies and rites are performed for the leper who is healed of his leprosy? This is a chapter which continued to be preserved throughout 15 centuries of Jewish history, throughout which time no one ever thought that it would ever be used. The second half Leviticus 14 is all about dealing with a persistent mold in a house.

The Bible Summary of Leviticus 14 (in 140 characters or less): If anyone is healed of leprosy they shall shave their hair and bring offerings. If a house has mildew the priest shall inspect it.

There are many chapter commentaries on the book of Leviticus. This will be the most extensive examination of Leviticus 14, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text. Every attempt has been made to make this both a complete and self-contained study. Therefore, all references, vocabulary, and related concepts should be found within this extensive study. Easy access links to more in-depth studies of some vocabulary words, concepts and doctrines are also provided.

Outline of Chapter 14:

Introduction

         vv.     1–

         vv. 

         vv. 

         vv. 

         vv. 

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Leviticus 14 (by various commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Leviticus 14 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Leviticus 14

         Introduction         The Prequel of Leviticus 14

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Principals of Leviticus 14

         Introduction         The Places of Leviticus 14

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         Timeline for Leviticus 14

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Leviticus 14

         Introduction         Outlines of Leviticus 14 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Leviticus 14 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Leviticus 1–15)

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions (for Leviticus 14)

         Introduction 

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Leviticus 14 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Leviticus 14

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Leviticus 14

         Summary            Edersheim Summarizes Leviticus 14

         Summary 

         Addendum 

         Addendum          The Abbreviated Doctrine of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

         Addendum          Josephus’ History of this Time Period

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Leviticus 14

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Leviticus 14

         Addendum          Word Cloud from a Reasonably Literal Paraphrase of Leviticus 14

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Leviticus 14

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An Introduction to Leviticus 14

I ntroduction: Leviticus 14 is all about what a priest needs to do when a leper has been cleansed. Leviticus 14, like many chapters of Leviticus, brings up these basic questions, should this be even taught in the modern era? What does it mean to us, if anything? To what level of examination should we give this chapter? Are their symbolic meanings to be derived from this chapter? Are there any practical medical meanings to be derived from this study?

It does not appear that this chapter was even relevant to believers throughout the Age of Israel, as it seems unlikely that any lepers were cleansed.

These chapters were called upon during the ministry of the Lord, Who did heal several men of leprosy (Matthew 8:2-4, Mark 1:40-44, Luke 5:12-14, Luke 17:14 ). Even though this chapter would have been read regularly at synagogue, no one had ever gone to this chapter to follow the procedures step-by-step before (until Jesus healed some lepers).

It must have been quite a thing for the priest of that era, when Jesus healed some lepers, for these men to come to the priest and ask him to performed the related purification rites and ceremonies. That priest had never done such a thing before and there was no record of any priest in the past ever performing these rituals. But then some guy shows up and places himself before the priest and says, “Jesus healed my leprosy. He sent me here for a ritual cleansing. So, what do we do next?”

No doubt, that priest went to a priest of higher authority and said, “I have got this guy here who claims that he used to be a leper, and now he wants our special leper having been cleansed ceremony performed. Now, no one has ever done this before, right?”

Now, this certainly parallels the unbeliever who trusts in the Revealed God and then is saved. Like the leper, there is nothing that the unbeliever can do to save himself. His disease is essentially incurable.

Part of what is fascinating about all of this is, the priests read this chapter aloud every so often (when it came up in rotation); many memorized it. Many scribes copied this chapter letter-for-letter thousands of times. No one at any time ever said, “Come on, get real. Lepers cannot be cured (don’t they say a leper can’t change its spots?). So why do we keep this chapter in Leviticus. Surely we can simply drop it, right?” However, let me suggest that no one ever said that, even though some people thought about it.

Let me add that, we have the perspective of the cross, so we understand what many of these things in the ritual represent—the priests of 2000 and 3000 years ago did not. They wrote down and kept writing down tons of material which many of them would not ever understand, never in their lives on earth.

Let me get personal right here. As I work through this chapter—and it is a lot of work—I have thought to myself, I bet that there is not a single person in the world who is ever going to read this entire chapter study.

But there is a reason that this was preserved; and even a reason why I struggle through this chapter. This is the Word of God and it has a real place in Jewish and Christian history—even if none of these rituals were ever performed until the 1^st advent.

The second half of this chapter was quite interesting to me as it deals with mold remedation. The people of Israel, a generation who had never lived in a home before, would be taking the land of Canaan from the Canaanites and then taking the homes left behind. What happens when there is mold inside of one of the houses that they take. Do they pray over that mold? Do they offer up sacrifices? No. What the Bible says to do is to perform mold remedation. That is step #1.

Timeline for Leviticus

There is very little narrative in the book of Leviticus; so this information may have been given to Moses in a few days or, at most, a few weeks; and Moses both wrote these things down and informed the people. Because of information previously studied in the introduction, we are not 100% certain if all of this material was given to Moses while in the newly erected Tabernacle. I would lean towards that being the case.

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It appears that I started working from Leviticus 13 instead of Leviticus 14, and so I divided up these verses in an odd way. I have replaced the Leviticus 13 text with the Leviticus 14 text, but the sets of verses I grouped together may be uninspired, to say the least. It appears that this mistake is only for the first three verses. Therefore, at this point, the only real problem is, I divided up these first three verses poorly. I should have combined vv. 1–4 instead.

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       Note: I compare the Hebrew text to English translations of the Latin, Syriac (= Aramaic) and Greek texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation; George Lamsa’s translation, and Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton’s translation as revised and edited by Paul W. Esposito, respectively. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.). I often use the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible instead of Brenton’s translation, because it updates the English text.

The Septuagint was the earliest known translation of a book (circa 200 b.c.). Since this translation was made before the textual criticism had been developed into a science and because different books appear to be translated by different men, the Greek translation can sometimes be very uneven.

When there are serious disparities between my translation and Brenton’s (or the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible), I look at the Greek text of the Septuagint (the LXX) to see if a substantive difference actually exists (and I reflect these changes in the English rendering of the Greek text). I use the Greek LXX with Strong’s numbers and morphology available for e-sword. The only problem with this resource (which is a problem for similar resources) is, there is no way to further explore Greek verbs which are not found in the New Testament. Although I usually quote the Complete Apostles’ Bible here, I have begun to make changes in the translation when their translation conflicts with the Greek and note what those changes are.

The Masoretic text is the Hebrew text with all of the vowels (vowel points) inserted (the original Hebrew text lacked vowels). We take the Masoretic text to be the text closest to the original. However, differences between the Masoretic text and the Greek, Latin and Syriac are worth noting and, once in a great while, represent a more accurate text possessed by those other ancient translators.

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The comparisons which I do are primarily between the English translations which are taken from the ancient tongues. For the most part, the variances are so minor that I rarely investigate them any further than that.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Bracketed portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls are words, letters and phrases lost in the scroll due to various types of damage. Underlined words or phrases are those in the Dead Sea Scrolls but not in the Masoretic text.

I will only list the translation from the Dead Sea Scrolls if it exists and if it is different from the Masoretic text.

The Targum of Onkelos is actually the Pentateuchal Targumim, which are The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel. On the Pentateuch With The Fragments of the Jerusalem Targum From the Chaldee by J. W. Etheridge, M.A. From http://www.becomingjewish.org/texts/targum/onkelos_Leviticus.html and first published in 1862.

Occasionally, there is an obvious error in the English translation, and I correct those without additional mention or footnoting. For instance, the online version of the Targum of Onkelos which I use has gorund in Ex. 4:9; I simply corrected the text. This may occur once or twice in a chapter.

I attempt to include translations which are different in their vocabulary and phrasing. On many occasions, I may include a translation which is not substantially different than another listed translation.

Most of the translations can be found here.

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        And so was speaking Y^ehowah unto Moses to say, “This will be Torah of the leper in a day of his cleansing: and he will be brought unto the priest and has come out the priest unto from the outside to the encampment. And has seen the priest and behold, being healed a bruise of leprosy from the leper.

Dead Sea Scrolls                   .

Targum (Onkelos)                  . Translation for Onkelos and Pseudo-Jonathan by J. W. Etheridge, M.A. (1862).

Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan)   .

Jerusalem targum                  .

Updated Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

This is the rite of a leper, when he is to be cleansed. He shall be brought to the priest:

Who going out of the camp, when he shall find that the leprosy is cleansed,...

Aramaic ESV of Peshitta        Mar-Yah spoke to Mosha, saying,

"This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest,

and the priest shall go forth out of the camp. The priest shall examine him, and behold, if the plague of leprosy is healed in the leper,...

Lamsa’s Peshitta (Syriac)     .

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

Samaritan Pentateuch           .

Updated Brenton (Greek)       And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

This is the law of the leper: in whatsoever day he shall have been cleansed, then shall he be brought to the priest.

And the priest shall come forth out of the camp, and the priest shall look, and behold, the plague of the leprosy is removed from the leper.

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             And the Lord said to Moses, 

This is the law of the leper on the day when he is made clean: he is to be taken to the priest; 

And the priest is to go outside the tent-circle; and if, after looking, the priest sees that the mark of the disease has gone from him.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2002  .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  The LORD said to Moses, "These are the rules for people who have had a skin disease and have been made well. These rules are for making them clean. "A priest must look at those who had the skin disease. The priest must go to them outside the camp and look to see if the skin disease is healed.

God’s Word™                         The LORD spoke to Moses, "These are the instructions for making a person clean after a skin disease. He must be taken to the priest. The priest will go outside the camp and examine him. A portion of v. 3 will be placed with the next passage for context.

Good News Bible (TEV)         The LORD gave Moses the following regulations about the ritual purification of those of you cured of a dreaded skin disease. On the day you are to be pronounced clean, you shall be brought to the priest, and the priest shall take you outside the camp and examine you. A portion of v. 3 will be placed with the next passage for context.

The Message                         .

Names of God Bible               .

NIRV                                      .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible             .

College Press paraphrase     .

Contemporary English V.       The LORD told Moses to say to the people: After you think you are healed of leprosy, you must ask for a priest to come outside the camp and examine you. A portion of vv. 2–3 will be placed with the next passage for context.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Life Version                    .

New Living Translation           .

Unfolding Bible (simplified)    Yahweh also said to Moses, "These are the regulations for anyone who has been healed of a contagious skin disease. Other people must tell the priest about that person. The priest will go outside the camp and examine him. A portion of v. 3 will be placed with the next passage for context.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Common English Bible           .

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

Translation for Translators     .

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Berean Study Bible                Then the LORD said to Moses, “This is the law of the one afflicted with a skin disease on the day of his cleansing, when he is brought to the priest.  The priest is to go outside the camp to examine him, and if the skin disease of the afflicted person has healed, the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed. V. 4 is included for context.

Conservapedia                       .

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                .

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

HCSB                                     .

The Heritage Bible                 .

International Standard V        Purification Requirements

The Lord spoke to Moses, “This is the law concerning those who have infectious skin diseases, after they have been cleansed.

“The priest is to go outside the camp and examine the infectious skin disease to confirm that the person has been healed.

Lexham English Bible            .

NIV, ©2011                             .

Unfolding Bible Literal Text    Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, "This will be the law for the diseased person on the day of his cleansing. He must be brought to the priest. The priest will go out of the camp to examine the person to see if the infectious skin disease is healed.

Urim-Thummim Version         .

Wikipedia Bible Project          And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying:

This will be the teaching of the leper, on the day of his purification, and he was brought to the priest.

And the priest will go outside the encampment, and the priest will see, that here the affliction of leprosy has been healed from the leper.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  Purification from leprosy

Yahweh spoke to Moses: “This shall be the law for the leper on the day of his purification.

He shall be brought to the priest and the priest shall take him outside the camp and examine him. And if the person has been healed from leprosy, the priest shall order two live, clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop for the one who is to be cleansed. V. 4 is included for context.

Mt 8:4; Lk 17:14

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible(2011)    .

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               .

Hebrew Transliteration S.      .

Israeli Authorized Version      .

The Scriptures 1998              .

The Scriptures–2009              And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, “This shall be the Torah of the leper for the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest, and the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall look and see, if the leprosy is healed in the leper, then the priest shall command, and he shall take for him who is to be cleansed two live and clean birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop. V.4 is included for context.

Tree of Life Version                Then Adonai spoke to Moses, saying: “This is the Torah of the one with tza’arat in the day of his cleansing. He should be brought to the kohen, and the kohen is to go to the outside of the camp. The kohen is to examine him, and behold, if the mark of tza’arat is healed in one with tza’arat, then the kohen is to command that two clean living birds, cedar wood, scarlet and hyssop be brought for the one being cleansed. V. 4 is included for context.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Alpha & Omega Bible            AND JESUS SPOKE TO MOSES, SAYING,

“THIS IS THE LAW OF THE LEPER: IN WHATSOEVER DAY HE SHALL HAVE BEEN CLEANSED, THEN SHALL HE BE BROUGHT TO THE PRIEST.

AND THE PRIEST SHALL COME FORTH OUT OF THE CAMP, AND THE PRIEST SHALL LOOK, AND, BEHOLD, THE PLAGUE OF THE LEPROSY IS REMOVED FROM THE LEPER.

Awful Scroll Bible                   Sustains To Become was to speak to Moses, to the intent:

These are the instructions for he being leprous, in the day of his cleansing, he is to have been brought in to the priest.

The priest is to have gone out without the camp, and the priest is to have looked at the wound of leprosy, even he being leprous is to have been healed,

then the priest is to have laid charge, and he is to have taken for his cleansing two flying creatures, alive and that are to be clean, and cedar wood, crimson and scarlet, and hyssop. V. 4 is included for context.

Concordant Literal Version    Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying.

This shall come to be the law of the leprous man in the day of his cleansing; when the matter is brought before the priest, then the priest will go forth outside the camp. When the priest examines, and behold, the contagion of leprous disease is healed in the leprous man, then the priest will instruct that they take for the one cleansing himself two living clean birds and cedar wood, double-dipped crimson yarn and hyssop. V. 4 is included for context.

Darby Translation (1889)       .

exeGeses companion Bible   TORAH ON PURIFYING THE LEPER

And Yah Veh words to Mosheh, saying,

This is the torah of the leper

in the day of his purifying:

bring him to the priest;

and the priest goes outside the camp;

and the priest sees, and behold,

the plague of leprosy in the leper healed;...

Orthodox Jewish Bible           And Hashem spoke unto Moshe and Aharon, saying,

When a man shall have in the skin of his basar a swelling, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his basar like the nega tzara'at; then he shall be brought unto Aharon the kohen, or unto one of his Banim the kohanim;

And the kohen shall examine the nega in the skin of the basar; and when hair in the nega is turned white, and the nega in appearance be deeper than the skin of his basar, it is a nega tzara'at; and the kohen shall examine him, and pronounce him tamei.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. And Yahweh spake unto Moses, saying—

||This|| shall be the law of the leper, in the day when he is declared clean,—He shall be brought in unto the priest; then shall the priest go forth unto the outside of the camp,—and the priest shall take a view, and lo! <if the plague of leprosy hath been healed out of the leper>;...

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

The Expanded Bible              .

Kretzmann’s Commentary    .

Lexham English Bible            Instructions for Cleansing Infectious Skin Diseases

Then [Or “And”] Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “This is the regulation of the person afflicted with a skin disease at the time of [Or “on the day of”] his cleansing. And he shall be brought to the priest, and the priest shall go outside the camp, [Literally “to from an outside place of the camp”] and the priest shall examine him , [The direct object is supplied from context in the English translation] and if [Literally “look” or “behold”] the skin disease’s infection is healed on [Hebrew “from”] the afflicted person,...

Syndein/Thieme                     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

College Press Bible Study     .

The Complete Tanach           .

The Geneva Bible                  .

Kaplan Translation                 .

Kaplan Translation                 Purification of a Leper

God spoke to Moses, saying:

This is the law concerning the leper when he is purified and placed under the jurisdiction of the priest.

The priest shall go outside the camp, where he shall examine the leper to determine that the leprous mark has healed. The Kaplan Translation, particularly in Leviticus through Deuteronomy, takes note of historic rabbinic opinions.

placed under the jurisdiction...

(Saadia; HaKethav VeHaKabbalah). Literally, 'he shall be brought,' or, '[the case] shall be brought.'

outside the camp

See Leviticus 13:46. The leper is not permitted to remain inside a walled city (Yad, Tumath Tzaraath 10:7).

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible(2011)    .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  .

Bond Slave Version               .

C. Thompson LXX (updated) .

Charles Thomson OT            .

Context Group Version          And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: he shall be brought to the priest: and the priest shall go out of the camp; and the priest shall look; and see if the plague of leprosy has healed in the leper,...

English Standard Version      .

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Holy Bible Improved Edition   .

Literal Standard Version        .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, This will be the law of the man with a leprous disease in the day of his cleansing: He will be brought to the priest, and the priest will go forth out of the camp. And the priest will look, and behold, if a leprous disease be healed in the man with a leprous disease,...

New American Standard B.    .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

Niobi Study Bible                   .

Owen's Translation                .

Revised Mechanical Trans.    ...and YHWH will speak to Mosheh saying, this will be the teaching of the one being infected in the day of his cleanliness, and he will be brought to the administrator, and the administrator will go out to the outside of the camp, and the administrator will see, and look, the plague infection was healed from the infected one,...

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Webster’s Bible Translation  .

World English Bible                .

Young's Literal Translation     .

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage: 

1-3

Translation: And so Y^ehowah was speaking unto Moses, saying,...

God continues to give Moses instructions.

Translation: ...“This will the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing:...

This group of instructions will be concerning the leper who has been cleansed.

To the best of my knowledge, apart from the healings of Jesus Christ, no leper was ever actually healed. So these instructions just sat fallow in the Word of God for centuries.

Translation: ...he will be brought unto the priest.

The leper will be brought to the priest.

Leviticus 14:1–2 And so Y^ehowah was speaking unto Moses, saying, “This will the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: he will be brought unto the priest. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Translation: The priest will come out [to the leper] outside the encampment.

The leper can go as far as being right outside of the camp. The priest will have to come out to him.

Leviticus 14:3a The priest will come out [to the leper] outside the encampment. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Translation: The priest, having seen [the leper],...

The priest will examine the leper carefully.

Translation: ...beholds the bruise of leprosy being healed from the leper. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

The priest observes that there is some healing which has taken place on the epidermis of the leper.

Leviticus 14:3b-c The priest, having seen [the leper], beholds the bruise of leprosy being healed from the leper. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

The priest confirms that some sort of healing has taken place.

Leviticus 14:1–3 And so Y^ehowah was speaking unto Moses, saying, “This will the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: he will be brought unto the priest. The priest will come out [to the leper] outside the encampment. The priest, having seen [the leper], beholds the bruise of leprosy being healed from the leper. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Leviticus 14:1–3 Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, “What follows will be the instructions for any leper when he has been cleansed. The leper will be taken to a priest. Since the priest is inside the encampment and the leper outside, the priest will go outside the encampment. He will inspect the epidermis of the leper, to confirmed that healing has indeed taken place. (Kukis paraphrase)

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Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        And has commanded the priest and he takes to the cleansing two sparrows, the living ones, clean, and wood, cedar, and crimson fabric of a worm and the hyssop. And has commanded the priest and he has sacrificed the sparrow—one unto a vessel of clay upon waters of the living. The sparrow the living (one) he takes him and wood, cedar and crimson fabric of a worm and the hyssop and he has dipped them (into blood) and the sparrow, the living (one) in blood of the sparrow, the slaughtered one, upon waters of the living. And he has caused to sprinkle upon the one being cleansed from leprosy, seven times and he has cleansed him. And he has sent off the sparrow, the living one, over the faces of the field.

Dead Sea Scrolls                   .

Jerusalem targum                  .

Targum (Onkelos)                  .

Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan)   .

Aramaic Targum                    .

Updated Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) Shall command him that is to be purified, to offer for himself two living sparrows, which it is lawful to eat, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop.

And he shall command one of the sparrows to be immolated in an earthen vessel over living waters.

But the other that is alive, he shall dip, with the cedar wood, and the scarlet and the hyssop, in the blood of the sparrow that is immolated:

Wherewith he shall sprinkle him that is to be cleansed seven times, that he may be rightly purified. And he shall let go the living sparrow, that it may fly into the field.

Aramaic ESV of Peshitta        ...then the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two living clean birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop.

The priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.

As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water.

He shall sprinkle on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird go into the open field.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa’s Peshitta (Syriac)     .

Samaritan Pentateuch           Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive [and] clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:

And as for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird [that was] killed over the running water:

And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.

Updated Brenton (Greek)       And the priest shall give directions, and they shall take for him that is cleansed two clean live birds, and cedar wood, and spun scarlet, and hyssop.

And the priest shall give direction, and they shall kill one bird over an earthen vessel over running water.

And as for the living bird he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the spun scarlet, and the hyssop, and he shall dip them and the living bird into the blood of the bird that was slain over running water.

And he shall sprinkle seven times upon him that was cleansed of his leprosy, and he shall be clean; and he shall let go the living bird into the field.

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             And the priest is to go outside the tent-circle; and if, after looking, the priest sees that the mark of the disease has gone from him, 

Then the priest is to give orders to take, for him who is to be made clean, two living clean birds and some cedar wood and red thread and hyssop. 

And the priest will give orders for one of the birds to be put to death in a vessel made of earth, over flowing water. 

And he will take the living bird and the wood and the red thread and the hyssop and put them in the blood of the bird which was put to death over flowing water. 

And shaking it seven times over the man who is to be made clean, he will say that he is clean and will let the living bird go free into the open country. V. 3 is included for context.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2001  .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  If they are healthy, the priest will tell them to do these things: They must bring two clean birds that are still alive, a piece of cedar wood, a piece of red cloth, and a hyssop plant. Then the priest must order one bird to be killed in a clay bowl over running water. He must take the other bird that is still alive and the piece of cedar wood, the piece of red cloth, and the hyssop plant and dip them in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water. He must sprinkle the blood seven times on those who had the skin disease. Then he must announce that they are clean. After that the priest must go to an open field and let the living bird go free.

God’s Word™                         If the person is healed, the priest will order someone to get two living, clean birds, some cedar wood, red yarn, and a hyssop sprig to use for the cleansing. Then the priest will order someone to kill one bird over a clay bowl containing fresh water. The priest will take the living bird, the cedar wood, the red yarn, and the hyssop sprig and dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. He will sprinkle the blood seven times on the one to be cleansed and will declare that person clean. Then he will let the living bird fly away into the open country. A portion of v. 3 is included for context.

Good News Bible (TEV)         If the disease is healed, the priest shall order that two ritually clean birds be brought, along with a piece of cedar wood, a red cord, and a sprig of hyssop. Then the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed over a clay bowl containing fresh spring water. He shall take the other bird and dip it, together with the cedar wood, the red cord, and the hyssop, in the blood of the bird that was killed. He shall sprinkle the blood seven times on the one of you who is to be purified from your skin disease, and then he shall pronounce you clean. He shall let the live bird fly away over the open fields. A portion of v. 3 is included for context.

The Message                         .

Names of God Bible               .

NIRV                                      .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible             .

College Press paraphrase     .

Contemporary English V.       And if you are well, he will have someone bring out two live birds that are acceptable for sacrifice, together with a stick of cedar wood, a piece of red yarn, and a branch from a hyssop plant. The priest will have someone kill one of the birds over a clay pot of spring water. Then he will dip the other bird, the cedar, the red yarn, and the hyssop in the blood of the dead bird. Next, he will sprinkle you seven times with the blood and say, "You are now clean." Finally, he will release the bird and let it fly away. A portion of vv. 2–3 is included for context.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Life Version                    .

New Living Translation           .

Unfolding Bible Simplified      If the skin disease has been healed, the priest will say that someone must bring two live birds that are acceptable to Yahweh, along with some cedar wood, some scarlet yarn, and some hyssop. Then the priest will command that one of the birds be killed while it is being held over a clay pot containing water from a spring, that is, fresh water. Then the priest will dip the other bird, along with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, into that water, which now has blood from the bird that was killed. Then he must sprinkle some of the water and blood on the person who was healed. He must sprinkle it on him seven times. Then he will declare that the person is permitted to be with other people again. And the priest will release the other bird and allow it to fly away. A portion of v. 3 is included for context.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Common English Bible           .

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

Translation for Translators     .

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Berean Study Bible                The priest is to go outside the camp to examine him, and if the skin disease of the afflicted person has healed, the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed.  Then the priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot.  And he is to take the live bird together with the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, and dip them into the blood of the bird that was slaughtered over the fresh water.  Seven times he shall sprinkle the one to be cleansed of the skin disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and release the live bird into the open field. V. 3 is included for context.

Conservapedia Translation    .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  .

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

HCSB                                     .

The Heritage Bible                          And the priest shall go out, outside of the camp, and the priest shall see, and behold, if the plague of leprosy is healed in the leper,

Then the priest shall command; he shall take for him who is to be cleansed two birds, alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop,

And the priest shall command, and he shall kill one of the birds on an earthen vessel over running water.

He shall take the living bird, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall plunge them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water,

And he shall sprinkle on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let loose the living bird into the face of the field. V. 3 is included for context.

International Standard V        If he has been healed, then the priest is to command that two live and clean birds, some cedar wood, some crimson thread, and hyssop be brought for the one cleansed. Then the priest is to command that one bird be slaughtered on an earthen vessel over flowing water. He is then to take the live bird, the cedar wood, the crimson thread, and the hyssop, dip them together with the bird in the blood of the bird that had been slaughtered over the flowing water. He is to spatter the blood [Lit. it] seven times on the person with the infectious skin disease and then pronounce him clean. Then he is to release the live bird into the open fields.

H. C. Leupold                         .

Lexham English Bible            .

NIV, ©2011                             .

Peter Pett’s translation          .

Unfolding Bible Literal Text    Then the priest will command that the one to be cleansed must take two live, clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. The priest will command him to kill one of the birds over fresh water that is in a clay pot. The priest will then take the live bird and the cedar wood, and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and he will dip all these things, including the live bird, in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. Then the priest will sprinkle this water seven times onto the person who is to be cleansed from the disease, and then the priest will pronounce him to be clean. Then the priest will release the living bird into the open fields.

Urim-Thummim Version         Then the priest will command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. And the priest will command that one of the birds be killed in a clay pottery receptacle over running water. As for the living bird, he will take it and the cedar wood, scarlet, and the hyssop, and will dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water. Then he will sprinkle on him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy 7 times, and will pronounce him clean and will let the living bird loose into an open field.

Wikipedia Bible Project          And the priest will command and take to the purified two pure live birds, and cedar wood and weave-second and hyssop. And the priest commanded, and slaughtered the one bird, into an earthen pot over running water. And the living bird, he will take it, and the cedar wood, and the weave-second and the hyssop, and he dipped them and the living bird in the blood of the slaughtered bird, over the running water. And he dripped on the one purified of leprosy seven times, and he was purified, and he set the living bird free over the field.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  The priest shall also give orders that one of the birds be slain on an earthenware pot over fresh water. He shall take the live bird and also the cedar wood, the crimson yarn and the hyssop, and he will plunge them together, including the live bird, in the blood of the bird that was slain over fresh water. Then he will sprinkle the one to be purified seven times. After that he shall declare him clean and he shall let the live bird go free over the open fields. V. 4 was placed with the previous passage for context.

12:22; Ps 51:9; Heb 9:19

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               .

Hebrew Transliteration S.      .

The Israel Bible                      .

Israeli Authorized Version      .

Kaplan Translation                 .

The Scriptures 1998              .

The Scriptures–2009              “And the priest shall command, and he shall slay one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water. 

“Let him take the live bird and the cedar wood and the scarlet and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was slain over the running water. 

“And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the live bird loose in the open field. V. 4 was placed with the previous passage for context.

Tree of Life Version                The kohen should command them to kill one of the birds in a clay pot over living water. As for the living bird, he is to take it, the cedar wood, the scarlet and the hyssop, and dip them with the living bird into the blood of the bird that was killed over the living water. He is to sprinkle on the one being cleansed from the tza’arat seven times and pronounce him clean, then release the living bird over the open field. V. 4 was placed with the previous passage for context.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Alpha & Omega Bible            AND THE PRIEST SHALL GIVE DIRECTIONS, AND THEY SHALL TAKE FOR HIM THAT IS CLEANSED TWO CLEAN LIVE BIRDS, AND CEDAR WOOD, AND SPUN SCARLET, AND HYSSOP.

AND THE PRIEST SHALL GIVE DIRECTION, AND THEY SHALL KILL ONE BIRD OVER AN EARTHEN VESSEL OVER RUNNING WATER.

AND AS FOR THE LIVING BIRD HE SHALL TAKE IT, AND THE CEDAR WOOD, AND THE SPUN SCARLET, AND THE HYSSOP, AND HE SHALL DIP THEM AND THE LIVING BIRD INTO THE BLOOD OF THE BIRD THAT WAS SLAIN OVER RUNNING WATER.

AND HE SHALL SPRINKLE SEVEN TIMES UPON HIM THAT WAS CLEANSED OF HIS LEPROSY, AND HE SHALL BE CLEAN; AND HE SHALL LET GO THE LIVING BIRD INTO THE FIELD.

Awful Scroll Bible                   ...then the priest is to have laid charge, and he is to have taken for his cleansing two flying creatures, alive and that are to be clean, and cedar wood, crimson and scarlet, and hyssop.

The priest is to have given charge, that one of the flying creatures, is to have been slaughtered on a clay vessel, over living water,

and the living bird, he was to take and the cedar wood, the crimson and scarlet, and the hyssop, and is to have dipped them and the living bird, into the blood of the bird being slaughtered over living water.

He is to have sprung it on him seven times, for his cleansing of the leprosy, even is he to be pronounced clean. The living bird is he to have let loose, turned toward the field.

Concordant Literal Version    ...then the priest will instruct that they take for the one cleansing himself two living clean birds and cedar wood, double-dipped crimson yarn and hyssop.

The priest will instruct that they slay one bird in an earthenware vessel over live water.

Then he shall take the living bird, it and the cedar wood, the double-dipped crimson yarn and the hyssop, and he will dip them and the living bird into the blood of the bird slain over the live water.

Then he will spatter it seven times on the one cleansing himself from the leprous disease, and pronounce him clean. He will send the living bird free over the surface of the field.

Darby Translation                  .

exeGeses companion Bible   ...and the priest misvahs

and takes for him who purifies

two living and pure birds

and cedar timber and scarlet and hyssop:

and the priest misvahs

to slaughter one of the birds

in a pottery instrument over living water:

as for the living bird,

he takes it and the cedar timber

and the scarlet and the hyssop

and dips them and the living bird

in the blood of the bird

that was slaughtered over the living water:

and on him who purifies from the leprosy

he sprinkles seven times

and pronounces him purified:

and sends away the living bird

into the face of the field:...

Orthodox Jewish Bible           Then shall the kohen command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and tehorot (clean ones), and cedar wood, and scarlet thread, and hyssop;

And the kohen shall command that one of the birds be shachat in a clay vessel over mayim chayyim (running water);

As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet thread, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the dahm of the bird that was killed (shachat) over the mayim chayyim (running water);

And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be made tahor from the tzara'at seven times, and shall pronounce him tahor, and shall release the living bird into the open field.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

The Expanded Bible              .

Kretzmann’s Commentary    .

Lexham English Bible            ...then [Or “and”] the priest shall command, and he shall take two living, clean birds and cedar wood [Literally “wood of cedar”] and a crimson thread [Literally “crimson thread of the worm”] and hyssop for the one who presents himself for cleansing. Then [Or “And”] the priest shall command someone [The direct object is supplied from context in the English translation] to slaughter one bird over fresh water in a clay vessel. He must take the living bird and the cedar wood [Literally “wood of cedar”] and the crimson thread [Literally “the crimson thread of the worm”] and the hyssop, and he shall dip them and the living bird in the bird’s blood slaughtered over the fresh water. And he shall spatter the blood [The direct object is supplied from context in the English translation] seven times on the one who presents himself for cleansing from the infectious skin disease, and he shall declare him clean, and he shall send the living bird into the open field. [Literally “toward the faces of the field”].

The Pulpit Commentary 

Syndein/Thieme                     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

College Press Bible Study     .

The Complete Tanach           .

The Geneva Bible                  .

Kaplan Translation                 The priest shall then order that for the person undergoing purification there be taken two live kosher birds, a piece of cedar, some crimson [wool], and a hyssop branch.

The priest shall give orders that one bird be slaughtered over fresh spring water in a clay bowl.

He shall then take the live bird together with the piece of cedar, the crimson wool, and the hyssop. Along with the live bird, he shall dip [the other articles] into the spring water mixed with the blood of the slaughtered bird.

He shall then sprinkle [this mixture] seven times on the person undergoing purification from the leprous curse, thus rendering him clean. He shall send the living bird away toward the fields.

kosher

(Rashi). Literally, 'clean.' See Leviticus 11:13-19.

birds

Tzipor in Hebrew. According to Talmudic tradition, the bird used was the deror (Negaim 14:1; cf. Psalms 84:4, Proverbs 26:2). Some identify this as the swallow, hirundo in Latin, hirondelle in French (Rashi on Proverbs 26:2; Septuagint on Psalms 84:4). Nevertheless, among the swallows there are some varieties that are kosher and some that are not (cf. Radak, Sherashim, s.v. Derar; Pri Chadash, Orach Chaim 497:9; Pri Megadim, Mishbetzoth Zahav, Yoreh Deah 82:7).

Other sources, however, identify the deror as the sparrow, passer in Latin, and pasra in Old Spanish (Radak on Psalms 84:4; Tifereth Yisrael, Negaim 14:4).

The Talmud apparently identifies the deror with a bird known as the senunith (Chullin 62a; Ramban; cf. Tosafoth Chullin 139b, s.v. Ta Sh'ma; Nekudoth HaKesef, Yoreh Deah 82:7). The Talmud notes that only the white-breasted varieties of this bird are kosher, while the all black ones are not (Chullin 62a; cf. Rashba, Torath HaBayith 65a).

The Targum identifies the senunith with the agur in Jeremiah 8:7, which some also identify as the swallow (Rashi, Radak ad. loc.), rondenella in Italian (Radak, Sherashim). Others, however, identify the senunith as a species of jay, gayo in Spanish, gayt in Old Spanish (Radak, loc. cit.). These were birds of the glandualia family, glondrina in Old Spanish (Beth Yosef, Yoreh Deah 82); hadolo nadrina in Provincial (Rabbenu Yerocham, Toledoth Adam VeChavah 15:21, 132b). As the Talmud notes, the jay is a bird closely related to the crow, but more colorful. To some degree, it can mimic human speech (cf. Radak, loc. cit.).

cedar

The piece must be at least one cubit (18') long and one-fourth the cross section of a bedpost (Negaim 14:6; Yad, Tumath Tzaraath 11:1). Some say that the piece was the size of a hatchet handle (Raavad on Sifra). It appears that a bedpost in those times had approximately the same diameter as an egg (cf. Betza 3b).

crimson wool

See Exodus 25:4. This consisted of combed out unspun wool (Rashi; Bertenoro, Tosefoth Yom Tov on Negaim 14:1). According to tradition, one shekel (0.8 oz.) of wool would be used (Yoma 42a; Yad, Tumath Tzaraath 11:1).

hyssop...

See Exodus 12:22. The branch would have to be at least a handbreadth (3') long (Niddah 26a; Yad, loc. cit.) See Numbers 19:6.

slaughtered

The slaughtered bird is then buried (Negaim 14:1; Yad, Tumath Tzaraath 11:1).

spring water

Mayim chaim in Hebrew, literally, 'living water.' There must be a revi'ith (¼ log or 2½ ounces) of water in the bowl (Ibid.)

bowl

It must be new (Ibid.).

together with...

The cedar and the hyssop are tied together with the end of the crimson skein of wool (Ibid.; cf. Tifereth Yisrael, Negaim 14:11). Some say that this must be prepared before the first bird is slaughtered (Rashi).

on the person

On the back of his hand (Negaim, Yad, loc. cit.). Some say that it is sprinkled on his forehead (Negaim 14:1; Sifra).

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. ...then shall the priest give command,—and there shall be taken—for him that is to be cleansed— two living clean birds,—and cedar wood, and crimsonˎ and hyssop; and the priest shall give command, and oneʹ bird shall be slain,—within an earthen vesselˎ over living water: <as^d for the living bird> he shall take ||it||, and the cedar woodˎ and the crimson, and the hyssop,—and shall dip themʹˎ and the living birdˎ in the blood of the bird that hath been slain over the living water; and shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosyˎ seven times,—and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let go the living birdˎ over the face of the field.

^d Some cod. (w. Sam., Sep., Syr. and Vul.): “and as”—G.n.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  .

Bond Slave Version               .

C. Thompson (updated) OT   .

Charles Thomson OT            .

Context Group Version          ...then shall the priest command to take for him who is to be cleansed two living clean birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: And the priest shall command to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water. As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: And he shall sprinkle on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird go into the open field.

English Standard Version      .

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Holy Bible Improved Edition   .

Literal Standard Version        .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  .

Modern KJV                           .

New American Standard B.    .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

Niobi Study Bible                   .

Owen's Translation                .

Revised Mechanical Trans.    ...and the administrator will direct, and the one being clean will take two living clean birds and cedar wood and scarlet of kermes and hyssop, and the administrator will direct, and he will slay the one bird to a utensil of clay^[763] upon living waters^[764]. He will take the living bird and the cedar wood and the scarlet kermes and the hyssop and he will dip them and the living bird in blood of the slain bird upon the living waters, and he will spatter upon the ones being made clean from the infection seven times, then he will declare him clean and he will send the living bird upon the face of the field,...

^763. A "utensil of clay" is a clay vessel.

^764. Meaning "running."

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Webster’s Bible Translation  .

World English Bible                .

Young's Literal Translation     .

Young’s Updated LT             ...and the priest hath commanded, and he hath taken for him who is to be cleansed, two clean living birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop. `And the priest hath commanded, and he hath slaughtered the one bird upon an earthen vessel, over running water; as to the living bird, he taketh it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and hath dipped them and the living bird in the blood of the slaughtered bird, over the running water, and he hath sprinkled on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and hath pronounced him clean, and hath sent out the living bird on the face of the field.

The gist of this passage: 

4-7

Translation: And the priest has commanded and he takes to the cleansing two clean, living sparrows, and cedar wood, and crimson fabric of a worm, and the hyssop.

Part of the cleansing ceremony will involve two clean, living small birds, some cedar wood, some crimson red fabric made using the dye of squeezed worms, and hyssop.

The two small birds represent Jesus Christ. The one which will be slaughtered represents Jesus dying for our sins. The one which is set free over a field represents Jesus being resurrected. The cedar wood represents His humanity. The crimson fabric represents the death of our Lord for our sins.

The Spoken English New Testament dictionary: [The hyssop is] A plant that was used to brush the blood of the Passover lamb onto the Israelite door frames (Exodus 12:22; see “Passover”). Hyssop was used in certain purification ceremonies. In Psalm 51:7 the psalmist refers to hyssop as a metaphorical wand for spiritual cleansing.

Apparently, the hyssop will be dipped into the blood and sprinkled onto the one who previously has leprosy.

Leviticus 13:4 And the priest has commanded and he takes to the cleansing two clean, living sparrows, and cedar wood, and crimson fabric of a worm, and the hyssop. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Translation: And the priest has commanded, and he has sacrificed the one sparrow unto a clay vessel upon the living waters.

One of the birds is sacrificed and it appears that the lifeless bird is then placed into a clay vessel. Underneath—I assume in some other vessel—is water, called living waters here.

Leviticus 13:5 And the priest has commanded, and he has sacrificed the one sparrow unto a clay vessel upon the living waters. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Translation: The living sparrow—he takes it and cedar wood and crimson fabric of a worm and the hyssop...

Then the priest takes the living sparrow, along with the cedar wood, the crimson fabric and the hyssop.