Leviticus 14:8

_AND HE THAT IS TO BE CLEANSED SHALL WASH HIS CLOTHES, AND SHAVE OFF ALL HIS HAIR, AND WASH HIMSELF IN WATER, THAT HE MAY BE CLEAN: AND AFTER THAT HE SHALL COME INTO THE CAMP, AND SHALL TARRY ABROAD OUT OF HIS TENT SEVEN DAYS._ He that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair. The hair was specially affected by the leprosy (Leviticus 13:3; Leviticus 13:10; Leviticus 13:20; Leviticus 13:36; Leviticus 13:40). The killing of the bird and the sevenfold sprinkling of its blood upon the perso

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 14:8. _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 prevent all manner of defilement....

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

AND HE THAT IS TO BE CLEANSED SHALL WASH HIS CLOTHES,.... That there may be no remains of the infection in them, and that they might not convey an ill scent to others: so the conversation garments of the saints are to be washed in the blood of the Lamb, Revelation 7:14; AND SHAVE OFF ALL HIS HAIR; what is here expressed in general is more particularly declared in Leviticus 14:9; the hair of his head, beard, and eyebrows; according to Gersom, this was done by the priest, and so Maimonides says g, that none but a priest might shave him; and yet the text seems plainly to ascribe this, as well as the washing of his clothes and himself, to the leper that was to be cleansed; and the same writers say, that if two hairs were left it was no shaving; and so says the Misnah h: the shaving of

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

WASH. bathe....

The person to be cleansed now began to take part in the ceremonial. He must wash his clothes, shave and wash himself; he was then admitted into the camp, but not allowed to enter his own dwelling....

SHALL WASH HIS CLOTHES, &C.— All these ceremonies were no less productive, than they were demonstrative, of entire purification: and, as the disorder was so contagious, a seven days exclusion was reasonably enjoined to prevent all infection, and to shew that the disease was perfectly cured; after which the leper was deemed pure, and was re-admitted to all the privileges of society. REFLECTIONS.—1. If the leper was cured, the priest went forth to him to view him. Though a sinner has, for a time, given himself up to his own heart's desires, yet, when he is willing through grace to return, we must charitably lend our helping hand. 2. After careful inspection, if he appeared clean, the priest was to pronounce him such, after the proper solemnities were performed. We should neither be too suspicious, nor too credulous, respecting the reality of grace in men's hearts, but, after serious observ...