141 Then the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 2 "This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing . Now he shall be brought to the priest , 3 and the priest shall go out to the outside e of the camp . Thus the priest shall look , and if the infection of leprosy has been healed in the leper , 4 then the priest shall give orders to take two live clean birds and cedar wood and a scarlet string and hyssop for the one who is to be cleansed . 5 "The priest shall also give orders to slay the one bird in an earthenware vessel over running water . 6 "As for the live bird , he shall take it together with the cedar wood and the scarlet string and the hyssop , and shall dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was slain over the running water . 7 " He shall then sprinkle seven times the one who is to be cleansed from the leprosy and shall pronounce him clean , and shall let the live bird go free over the open field . 8 " The one to be cleansed shall then wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe in water and be clean . Now afterward , he may enter the camp , but he shall stay outside e his tent for seven days . 9 "It will be on the seventh day that he shall shave off all his hair : he shall shave his head and his beard and his eyebrows e , even all his hair . He shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in water and be clean .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 14:1-9
Commentary on Leviticus 14:1-9
(Read Leviticus 14:1-9)
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 in the blood of the bird that was killed, and then let loose, may signify Christ shedding his blood for sinners, and rising and ascending into heaven. The priest having pronounced the leper clean from the disease, he must make himself clean from all remains of it. Thus those who have comfort of the remission of their sins, must with care and caution cleanse themselves from sins; for every one that has this hope in him, will be concerned to purify himself.