CHAPTER XIV _Introduction to the sacrifices and ceremonies to be used in_ _cleansing the leper_, 1-3. _Two_ living birds, cedar-wood, scarlet, _and_ hyssop, _to be_ _brought for him who was to be cleansed_, 4. _One of the birds to be killed_, 5; _and the living bird, with the cedar-wood, scarl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:3. _THE PRIEST SHALL GO FORTH OUT OF THE CAMP_] As the leper was separated from the people, and obliged, because of his uncleanness, to dwell without the camp, and could not be admitted till the priest had declared that he was clean; hence it was necessary that the priest should... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:4. _TWO BIRDS ALIVE_ AND _CLEAN, C._] Whether these birds were _sparrows_, or _turtledoves_, or _pigeons_, we know not probably any kind of _clean_ bird, or bird proper to be eaten, might be used on this occasion, though it is more likely that _turtle-doves_ or _pigeons_ were emp... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:5. _OVER RUNNING WATER._] Literally, _living_, that is, _spring water_. The meaning appears to be this: Some water (about a quarter of a log, an eggshell and a half full, according to the rabbins) was taken from a _spring_, and put into a clean _earthen vessel_, and they killed th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:7. _SHALL LET THE LIVING BIRD LOOSE_] The Jews teach that _wild_ birds were employed on this occasion, no _tame_ or _domestic_ animal was used. Mr. Ainsworth piously conjectures that the _living_ and _dead_ birds were intended to represent the _death_ and _resurrection_ of Christ,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:8. _AND SHAVE OFF ALL HIS HAIR_] That the water by which he was to be washed should reach every part of his body, that he might be cleansed from whatever defilement might remain on any part of the surface of his body. The Egyptian priests shaved the whole body every third day, to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:10. _TWO HE-LAMBS_] One for a _trespass-offering_, Leviticus 14:12, the other for a _burnt-offering_, Leviticus 14:19-3. _ONE EWE-LAMB_] This was for a _sin-offering_, Leviticus 14:19. _THREE TENTH DEALS_] Three parts of an _ephah_, or three _omers_; _See all these measures exp... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:12. _WAVE-OFFERING_] See Exodus 29:27, and Leviticus 7:38, where the reader will find an ample account of all the various offerings and sacrifices used among the Jews.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:14. _UPON THE TIP OF THE RIGHT EAR, C._] Exodus 29:20, Exodus 29:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:21. _AND IF HE_ BE _POOR - HE SHALL TAKE ONE LAMB_] There could be no cleansing without a sacrifice. On this ground the apostle has properly observed that _all things under the law are_ _purged with blood_; and that _without shedding of blood there is_ _no remission_. Even if the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:34. _WHEN YE BE COME INTO THE LAND - AND I PUT THE PLAGUE_ _OF LEPROSY_] It was probably from this text that the leprosy has been generally considered to be a disease inflicted immediately by God himself; but it is well known that in Scripture God is frequently represented as _doi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:45. _HE SHALL BREAK DOWN THE HOUSE_] "On the suspicion of a house being infected, the priest examined it, and ordered it to be shut up seven days; if he found the plague, or signs of the plague, (hollow streaks, greenish or reddish,) were not spread, he commanded it to be shut up... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 14:53. _HE SHALL LET GO THE LIVING BIRD_] This might as well be called the _scape-bird_; as the _goat_, in Leviticus 16:5-3, is called the _scape-goat_. The rites are similar in both cases, and probably had nearly the same meaning. We have already taken occasion to observe (see the... [ Continue Reading ]