“And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.”
This verse is a part of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses regarding the cleansing of a leprous house. In the preceding verses, the Lord outlines the procedure to be followed if a house becomes infected with a leprous plague. The priest would inspect the house, and if the plague was determined to be a deep-seated leprosy, various steps were to be taken to cleanse the house and declare it clean.
Let’s break down the components and symbolism mentioned in Leviticus 14:51:
- Cedar wood: Cedar wood was used in the purification process as a symbol of cleansing and purification. Its durable nature and pleasant fragrance represented the renewal and restoration of the affected house.
- Hyssop: Hyssop was a small bushy plant with aromatic leaves. In biblical times, it was used as a cleansing agent, often dipped in water or blood to sprinkle and purify. Hyssop represents the purification and atonement of sin, as seen in other instances, such as the application of blood during the Passover in Exodus 12:22.
- Scarlet: Scarlet refers to a bright red color obtained from certain insects or dyes derived from them. It is associated with the concept of purification and redemption. In the context of the leprous house, the scarlet symbolized the removal of impurity and the restoration of wholeness.
- Living bird: Two birds were used in the purification process. One bird was killed, and its blood was mixed with water, while the living bird was used in the sprinkling ritual. The living bird represents life, freedom, and the removal of the curse of the leprosy, signifying the release of the affected house from the plague.
- Blood of the slain bird: The blood of the slain bird, when mixed with running water, served as a means of purification and cleansing. Blood often represents atonement, and in this instance, it symbolizes the removal of impurity and the restoration of the house.
- Running water: Running water was a crucial element in the purification process. It signifies the cleansing power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. The combination of the blood and the running water was used to sprinkle and cleanse the house, indicating the complete eradication of the leprous plague.
- Sprinkle the house seven times: The number seven often carries symbolic meaning in the Bible, representing completion and perfection. Sprinkling the house seven times with the mixture of blood and running water symbolizes the thoroughness of the cleansing process and the complete removal of the leprous contamination.
In summary, Leviticus 14:51 describes the meticulous ritual of cleansing a leprous house. It employs various symbolic elements such as cedar wood, hyssop, scarlet, living bird, blood, running water, and the act of sprinkling to portray the process of purification, restoration, and the removal of impurity. These rituals and symbols served as tangible representations of spiritual concepts, emphasizing God’s desire for purity and His power to cleanse and restore.
