Leviticus 14:5

Then the priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The text addresses the priest during the cleansing ritual, instructing him to direct the slaughter of one of the two live birds over fresh water in a clay pot. This command follows the priest’s prior order to gather the birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop.

The words — The Hebrew verb צִוָּה (tzi.Vah) means "he will command," emphasizing the priest’s authoritative role in orchestrating the slaughter. The noun כְּלִי (ke.li) translates literally as "vessel," specifying the earthenware container that holds the fresh water.

The thread — This exact procedural instruction reappears in Leviticus 14:50 for a separate purification case. The use of fresh water contained in a clay jar echoes the mixture of holy water and tabernacle dust commanded in Numbers 5:17.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to observe the precise, physical steps necessary for ritual cleansing, establishing that purification demands a specific, authorized action rather than a symbolic gesture alone.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְצִוָּה֙ve./tzi.Vahand/ he will command הַכֹּהֵ֔ןha./ko.Henthe/ priest וְשָׁחַ֖טve./sha.Chatand/ someone will cut [the] throat of אֶת־'et-<obj.>הַצִּפּ֣וֹרha./tzi.Porthe/ bird הָאֶחָ֑תha./'e.Chat<the>/ one אֶל־'el-into כְּלִי־ke.li-a vessel of חֶ֖רֶשׂChe.researthenware עַל־'al-over מַ֥יִםMa.yimwater חַיִּֽים׃chai.Yimliving

King James Version

And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:

Cross-references

Leviticus 14:50 and he shall slaughter one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot.
Hebrews 2:14 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,
Numbers 5:17 Then he is to take some holy water in a clay jar and put some of the dust from the tabernacle floor into the water.
2 Corinthians 4:7 Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2 Corinthians 13:4 For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. For we are also weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him concerning you.