“And it shall come to pass on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.”
Leviticus 14 contains detailed instructions given by God to the Israelites regarding the cleansing and purification rituals for those who had been healed from various skin diseases, including leprosy. These rituals were part of the broader context of maintaining cleanliness and holiness within the community.
In Leviticus 14:9, we see the final step of the cleansing process for the person who has been healed from the skin disease. Let’s break down the verse to better understand its significance:
“And it shall come to pass on the seventh day”: This refers to the completion of a seven-day period, which was a significant timeframe in many purification rituals. The number seven often represents completion or perfection in the Bible. After completing the designated time, the person would proceed with the following actions.
“He shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off”: Shaving all the hair off the head, beard, and eyebrows was a symbolic act of removing impurity and starting anew. Hair is associated with personal identity, and by removing it, the person was symbolically shedding their former state of impurity and embracing a fresh beginning.
“And he shall wash his clothes”: The individual was required to wash their garments. Washing clothing was a common practice for purification in the Old Testament. It symbolized the removal of any contamination that may have been present.
“Also, he shall wash his flesh in water”: In addition to washing the clothes, the person had to wash their body with water. This physical cleansing represented the removal of any remaining impurities or residue that might have clung to the person’s skin.
“And he shall be clean”: The completion of these prescribed actions would result in the person being declared clean and ceremonially purified. By following the specific instructions given by God, they would be fully restored to the community and able to participate in religious activities once again.
It’s important to note that these instructions were specific to the time and context of the Israelites in the Old Testament. They were part of the ceremonial and ritualistic practices of the Mosaic Law. These laws were given to the Israelites to establish their identity as a holy people set apart for God.
As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ fulfilled the requirements of the Old Testament law through His sacrifice on the cross. We are no longer bound by these ceremonial laws for our salvation or purification. However, studying these passages can provide insights into the historical and cultural context of the Bible and help us appreciate the redemptive work of Jesus even more.
In summary, Leviticus 14:9 outlines the final steps of the purification process for a person healed from a skin disease. The shaving of the hair, washing of the clothes and body, and completion of the seven-day period symbolized the person’s cleansing and readiness to rejoin the community.
