Leviticus Chapter 14

Leviticus 14 — “From Exile to Communion: The Cleansing of the Leper and the Healing of the House”

Leviticus 13 taught how uncleanness is identified and separated.
Leviticus 14 now teaches how the unclean are restored.

The Law does not end with exclusion.
It ends with purification and return.

This chapter teaches one central truth:

God desires not the permanent exile of the sinner, but his cleansing and return — a mystery fulfilled in Christ, who restores the unclean to communion with God and His people.

1. “This Shall Be the Law of the Leprous Person”

“This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing…” (Lev 14:2)

There is a law not only for sickness
but for healing.

St Augustine writes:

“God makes provision not only for judgment but for mercy.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

The Gospel is not only the exposure of sin,
but the proclamation of forgiveness.

Christ does not leave men outside the camp.
He brings them back in.

2. The Priest Goes Outside the Camp

“The priest shall go out of the camp…” (v. 3)

The leper does not come to the priest.
The priest goes to the leper.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“God comes to man in his exile to restore him.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ comes to us in our uncleanness.
He leaves heaven to enter our exile.

The Incarnation is the priest
going outside the camp.

3. Two Living Birds

“He shall take two living clean birds…” (v. 4)

One bird is killed.
One bird is set free.

St Jerome comments:

“One bird dies that the other may live.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ dies.
Humanity is freed.

One life is given
so another may escape death.

4. Cedarwood, Scarlet, and Hyssop

(v. 4)

These are used in the rite.

St Ambrose writes:

“Cedar signifies incorruption, scarlet the blood of suffering, hyssop humility.”
(On the Mysteries)

Typology:

Cedar = Christ’s sinlessness
Scarlet = His blood
Hyssop = His humility

The Cross unites:

• holiness
• suffering
• lowliness

5. Blood and Living Water

(v. 5)

The bird is killed
over fresh water.

St Augustine teaches:

“Blood and water flow together for cleansing.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

From Christ’s side
flow blood and water.

Baptism and the Cross
cleanse together.

6. Sevenfold Sprinkling

(v. 7)

The leper is sprinkled
seven times.

St Gregory the Great writes:

“Sevenfold cleansing shows complete healing.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ cleanses completely,
not partially.

No stain remains
where His blood is applied.

7. The Living Bird Released

(v. 7)

The bird is let go
into the open field.

St Jerome remarks:

“Freedom follows cleansing.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ rises from the dead.
The cleansed man is restored to life.

Resurrection follows sacrifice.

8. Washing and Shaving

(v. 8)

The leper washes
and shaves all hair.

St Ambrose writes:

“The old man is stripped away.”
(On Repentance)

Typology:

Baptism strips off
the old corruption.

The new man
enters the camp.

9. Seven Days of Waiting

(vv. 8–9)

He stays outside his tent
for seven days.

St Augustine teaches:

“He waits in obedience before full return.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Time tests healing.

Christ’s disciples
wait for Pentecost
after Easter.

10. Eighth Day Sacrifice

(vv. 10–20)

On the eighth day
he brings offerings:

• guilt offering
• sin offering
• burnt offering

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“The eighth day is the day of new creation.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ rises on the eighth day.
Full restoration comes
through sacrifice.

11. Blood on Ear, Thumb, and Toe

(v. 14)

Same as priestly ordination.

St Ambrose writes:

“What was defiled is now consecrated.”
(On the Mysteries)

Typology:

The cleansed man becomes priest-like:

• ear to hear God
• hand to serve God
• foot to walk with God

Healing becomes consecration.

12. Oil and Blood Together

(vv. 15–18)

Oil is placed
where blood was placed.

St Augustine teaches:

“The Spirit follows the sacrifice.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

The Spirit comes
because Christ’s blood is shed.

Pentecost follows Calvary.

13. The Poor Man’s Offering

(vv. 21–32)

God provides for the poor.

St Jerome comments:

“Mercy measures sacrifice, not wealth.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ heals rich and poor alike.

Grace is not bought.
It is received.

14. Cleansing of the House

(vv. 33–53)

Even houses may be infected.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“Sin can dwell not only in persons but in places.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

The Church must cleanse:

• homes
• habits
• environments

Christ purifies
the whole life,
not only the soul.

15. Stones Removed and Replaced

(vv. 40–42)

Infected stones are removed.

St Augustine writes:

“What is corrupt must be taken out.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ removes
what sin has built.

The new foundation
is holiness.

16. The Same Bird Rite for the House

(vv. 49–53)

The house is cleansed
like the man.

St Ambrose teaches:

“Man and dwelling are healed by the same mercy.”
(On Repentance)

Typology:

Christ redeems:

• persons
• families
• communities

Salvation is not private only.
It is social.

17. The Meaning of Leviticus 14

This chapter teaches:

• God seeks restoration
• the priest goes to the unclean
• sacrifice brings freedom
• washing completes healing
• the poor are not excluded
• homes as well as bodies need cleansing

It proclaims:

Exile is not God’s final word.
Cleansing is.

18. Christ and the Cleansed Leper

Christ fulfills Leviticus 14 as:

• the Priest who comes to the outcast
• the Bird who dies
• the Bird who rises
• the Blood and the Water
• the Cleansing Sacrifice
• the Restorer of communion
• the Healer of houses and hearts

“I will; be clean.” (Matt 8:3)

19. The Church and Restoration

In Christ, the Church becomes:

• a place of healing
• a house of cleansing
• a refuge for the outcast
• a community of return
• a temple being purified

Discipline leads to restoration.
Judgment leads to mercy.

Spiritual Application

Do not despair in uncleanness.

Let Christ come to your exile.

Accept cleansing.

Strip off the old life.

Return to communion.

Let your home be holy.

Trust the blood and the water.

Christ in Leviticus 14

Jesus is:

• the Restoring Priest
• the Bird who dies
• the Bird who lives
• the Blood of cleansing
• the Living Water
• the Liberator from exile
• the Purifier of houses and hearts

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
true Priest who comes to the outcast
and true Sacrifice who dies and rises,
You have taken us from exile
and brought us back into the house of God.

Cleanse us by Your blood and Your Spirit.
Wash us from the stain of sin.
Restore us to communion with the Father
and with Your Church.

Purify not only our bodies
but our homes and our ways of life.
Strip from us the old corruption
and clothe us with new life,

until the day when no uncleanness remains
and we dwell forever
in the house of the Lord
in the Kingdom of God
for ever and ever.

Amen.