Leviticus 14:48
If, however, the priest comes and inspects it, and the mildew has not spread after the house has been replastered, he shall pronounce the house clean, because the mildew is gone.
But if the priest comes to examine it
The role of the priest in ancient Israel was not only spiritual but also practical, serving as a mediator between God and the people. The Hebrew word for "priest" is "kohen," which signifies someone who is set apart for sacred duties. In this context, the priest acts as an inspector, ensuring that the community remains pure and healthy. This reflects the holistic approach of the Mosaic Law, where spiritual leaders were entrusted with the well-being of the entire community, both physically and spiritually.

and the mildew has not spread
Mildew, or "nega" in Hebrew, represents impurity and corruption. In the ancient Near East, mildew was not only a physical concern but also a symbol of spiritual defilement. The spread of mildew could render a house unclean, much like sin can corrupt a person's life. The containment of mildew signifies the triumph of purity and holiness over corruption, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in maintaining spiritual and communal integrity.

after the house has been plastered
Plastering the house was a practical step in the cleansing process, symbolizing a fresh start and renewal. The Hebrew term "tahor" for clean or pure is often associated with ritual purification. This act of plastering can be seen as a metaphor for repentance and renewal in the life of a believer. Just as the house is given a new surface, believers are called to renew their minds and hearts, aligning themselves with God's standards.

he shall pronounce the house clean
The declaration of cleanliness by the priest is a powerful moment, signifying restoration and acceptance. The Hebrew word "tahor" is used here, indicating a state of purity and readiness to rejoin the community. This pronouncement is akin to the forgiveness and cleansing that believers receive through Christ, who is our ultimate High Priest. It is a reminder of God's grace and the possibility of restoration after repentance.

because the mildew is gone
The removal of mildew signifies the eradication of impurity. In a broader spiritual sense, it represents the removal of sin and its consequences. The Hebrew concept of "gone" or "sur" implies a complete turning away or removal. This is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of God’s grace, which not only forgives but also cleanses and renews. It encourages believers to trust in God's ability to purify and restore, no matter the extent of past defilement.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Priest
The priest acts as a mediator and inspector, determining the cleanliness of the house. In the context of Leviticus, priests were responsible for maintaining the holiness of the community.

2. House
Represents the dwelling place of individuals or families. In Levitical law, the house could become unclean due to mildew, symbolizing sin or impurity.

3. Mildew
A physical manifestation of impurity or uncleanness. In the Hebrew context, mildew (nega) could render a house unclean, requiring priestly intervention.

4. Plastering
The act of covering or repairing the house, symbolizing efforts to cleanse and restore purity.

5. Examination
The process by which the priest inspects the house to determine its cleanliness, reflecting God's scrutiny of our lives.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Priest
The priest's role in declaring a house clean underscores the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding and maintaining community holiness.

Symbolism of the House
Just as a house can become unclean, our lives can be tainted by sin. Regular self-examination and spiritual maintenance are necessary.

Mildew as Sin
Mildew represents sin's pervasive nature. It must be addressed and removed to restore purity, much like sin must be confessed and repented.

Restoration and Renewal
The act of plastering signifies efforts to repair and renew. In our spiritual lives, this involves repentance and seeking God's forgiveness.

Divine Examination
The priest's examination reflects God's scrutiny of our hearts. We must be open to His correction and guidance to live a life pleasing to Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the priest in Leviticus 14:48 reflect the role of spiritual leaders in the church today?

2. In what ways can the concept of mildew in a house be related to sin in our personal lives?

3. How does the process of plastering and examining a house for mildew parallel the process of repentance and spiritual renewal?

4. What steps can we take to ensure our "spiritual houses" remain clean and free from the "mildew" of sin?

5. How can we apply the principles of Leviticus 14:48 to our understanding of community and personal holiness in the New Testament context?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 13
Discusses the laws concerning skin diseases and mildew, providing a broader context for understanding the role of the priest in declaring cleanliness.

1 John 1:9
Relates to the concept of confession and cleansing from sin, similar to the priest declaring a house clean after mildew is removed.

Psalm 51:7
David's plea for purification parallels the cleansing of a house, emphasizing the need for divine intervention to remove impurity.
The Cleansing of Sin as Illustrated in the Cleansing of the LeperR.M. Edgar Leviticus 14:1-57
Cleansing the Corrupt HouseW. Clarkson Leviticus 14:33-53
Leprosy in a HouseJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 14:33-57
House LeprosyJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 14:34-57
Leprosy of House and GarmentsH. Macmillan, D. D.Leviticus 14:34-57
The Plague in the HouseJ. Reid Howatt.Leviticus 14:34-57
The Way to Remove the PlagueJ. Cumming, D. D.Leviticus 14:34-57
People
Aaron, Ephah, Moses
Places
Canaan, Teman
Topics
Behold, Certainly, Clean, Daubing, Disease, Examination, Examine, Hasn't, Healed, Increased, Indeed, Inspection, Makes, Mark, Mildew, Paste, Plague, Plastered, Priest, Pronounce, Pronounced, Reappeared, Replastered, Sees, Spread
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 14:1-57

     7340   clean and unclean

Leviticus 14:33-53

     5340   house

Leviticus 14:34-57

     4839   mildew

Leviticus 14:48-53

     4424   cedar
     4470   hyssop
     4552   wood
     7416   purification

Library
November 27. "And the Remnant of the Oil . . . Shall Pour Upon the Head" (Lev. xiv. 18).
"And the remnant of the oil ... shall pour upon the head" (Lev. xiv. 18). In the account of the healing of the Hebrew leper there is a beautiful picture of the touching of his ears, hands and feet, with the redeeming blood and the consecrating oil, as a sign that his powers of understanding, service, and conduct were set apart to God, and divinely endued for the Master's work and will. But after all this, we are significantly told that "the rest of the oil" was to be poured upon his head. The former
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The First Stage in the Leper's Cleansing
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: 3. And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper; 4. 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: 5. And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix xv. The Location of Sychar, and the Date of Our Lord's visit to Samaria.
1. The Location of Sychar. Although modern writers are now mostly agreed on this subject, it may be well briefly to put before our readers the facts of the case. Till comparitively lately, the Sychar of St. John iv. was generally as representing the ancient Shechem. The first difficulty here was the name, since Shechem, or even Sichem, could scarcely be identified with Sychar, which is undoubtedly the correct reading. Accordingly, the latter term was represented as one of oppobrium, and derived from
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision B. At Jacob's Well, and at Sychar. ^D John IV. 5-42. ^d 5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 and Jacob's well was there. [Commentators long made the mistake of supposing that Shechem, now called Nablous, was the town here called Sychar. Sheckem lies a mile and a half west of Jacob's well, while the real Sychar, now called 'Askar, lies scarcely half a mile north of the well. It was a small town, loosely called
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

John's First Testimony to Jesus.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, February, a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 19-34. ^d 19 And this is the witness of John [John had been sent to testify, "and" this is the matter of his testimony], when the Jews [The term "Jews" is used seventy times by John to describe the ruling classes of Judæa] sent unto him [In thus sending an embassy they honored John more than they ever honored Christ. They looked upon John as a priest and Judæan, but upon Jesus as a carpenter and Galilæan. It is probable that
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
(in the Wilderness of Judæa, and on the Banks of the Jordan, Occupying Several Months, Probably a.d. 25 or 26.) ^A Matt. III. 1-12; ^B Mark I. 1-8; ^C Luke III. 1-18. ^b 1 The beginning of the gospel [John begins his Gospel from eternity, where the Word is found coexistent with God. Matthew begins with Jesus, the humanly generated son of Abraham and David, born in the days of Herod the king. Luke begins with the birth of John the Baptist, the Messiah's herald; and Mark begins with the ministry
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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