Leviticus 14:4

_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:_ Then shall the priest command to take for him ... two birds alive and clean. This first step in the purifying course was toward a return to the camp and a re-union with the 'holy nation.' _ TSIPAARIYMХ_ (H6833), small birds. _ TSIPOWR_ (H6833) signifies a sparrow (Psalms 84:4); whence Jerome, in the Vulgate, renders the word 'sparrows' here; and the Septuagint interprets it in the same manner in five places of the Psalms; also in Ecclesiastes 12:4; Lamentations

1-9 The priests could not cleanse the lepers; but when the Lord removed the plague, various rules were to be observed in admitting them again to the ordinances of God, and the society of his people. They represent many duties and exercises of truly repenting sinners, and the duties of ministers respecting them. If we apply this to the spiritual leprosy of sin, it intimates that when we withdraw from those who walk disorderly, we must not count them as enemies, but admonish them as brethren. And also that when God by his grace has brought to repentance, they ought with tenderness and joy, and sincere affection, to be received again. Care should always be taken that sinners may not be encouraged, nor penitents discouraged. If it were found that the leprosy was healed, the priest must declare it with the particular solemnities here described. The two birds, one killed, and the other dipped...

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 employed, because these appear to have been the only birds offered in sacrifice. Of the _cedarwood, hyssop, clean bird_, and _scarlet wool_ or _fillet_, were made an _aspergillum_, or instrument to _sprinkle_ with. The _cedar-wood_ served for the _handle_, the _hyssop_ and _living bird_ were attached to it by means of the _scarlet wool_ or _crimson_ _fillet_. The bird was so bound to this handle as that its tail should be downwards, in order to be dipped into the blood of the bird th...

These birds were provided by the priest for the man. They were not, like the offerings for the altar, brought by the man himself (compare Leviticus 14:4 with Leviticus 14:10), they were not presented nor brought near the sanctuary, nor was any portion of them offered on the altar. CEDAR WOOD, AND SCARLET, AND HYSSOP - These three substances were used as the common materials in rites of purification (compare Exodus 12:22; Numbers 19:8; Psalms 51:7;...

EXPOSITION THE FORM OF PURIFICATION OF THE LEPER (Leviticus 14:1). This is the most minute of all the forms of purification, those for purification from contact with a dead body (Numbers 19:1) and for the cleansing of a defiled Nazarite (Numbers 6:1) being alone to be compared with it in this respect. Some purifications were accomplished, as we have seen, in a very summary manner: one who touched the carcass of a beast that had died a natural death had only to wash his clothes (Leviticus 11:40). The

THEN SHALL THE PRIEST COMMAND TO TAKE FOR HIM THAT IS TO BE CLEANSED,.... The command is by the priest, the taking is by any man, as Ben Gersom observes; anyone whom he shall command, the leper himself, or his friends. Aben Ezra interprets it, the priest shall take of his own; but he adds, there are some that explain it, the leper shall give them to him, namely, what follows: TWO BIRDS ALIVE, [AND] CLEAN; any sort of birds, to whom this description agrees; for not any particular sort are pointed out, as "sparrows" w, as some render the word, or any other; because either they must be clean or unclean; if unclean, then not to be used; if clean, then this descriptive character is used in vain. These were to be alive, taken alive with the hand, and not shot dead; and this also excepts such as were torn, as Jarchi, or any ways maimed and unsound, and not likely to live; and they were to be ...

BIRDS The bird slain, and the live bird, dipped in blood and released, present the two aspects of salvation in (Romans 4:25) "delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification....

4. THE CLEANSING OF THE LEPER CHAPTER 14 _ 1. The cleansing of the leper (Leviticus 14:1)_ 2. Leprosy in the house and its purification (Leviticus 14:33) The cleansing and restoration of the leper is full of significance, foreshadowing once more the blessed work of our Saviour. Two parts in this ceremonial are to be noticed first of all. The first thing done was to restore the leper among the people from whom he had been put away. The second part of the ceremony restored him fully to communion with God. The first part was accomplished on the first day; the second part on the eighth day. A careful distinction must be made between the healing and the cleansing. All the ceremonies could not heal the leper. Jehovah alone could heal that loathsome disease. But after the

NORMAL LAW OF CLEANSING after the disease has disappeared. The patient brings to the priest two birds, and he is sprinkled with the blood of one of them, killed in an earthenware (and therefore cheap) bowl, for mixing the blood, over running (and therefore pure) water, along with cedar wood (perhaps because of its supposed healing properties), scarlet wool, and hyssop (_cf._ Numbers 19:6 *). The other bird carries away the pollution. He then removes his hair and washes himself and his clothes (_cf._ Deuteronomy 21:12; Numbers 6:18 *). In the second part of the rite, next day, the semi-magical elements (except perhaps in Le

IS TO BE CLEANSED. him that is cleansing himself. BIRDS, or sparrows. CEDAR WOOD, AND SCARLET, AND HYSSOP. Hence the ancient tradition that the highest tree and the lowest herb give the leper purity, because _pride_ was the cause of the plague, and _humility_ is the necessary condition of its cure. These three were used also with the red heifer (Numbers 19:6). Compare Hebrews 9:19; Psalms 51:7....