Leviticus 14:37

Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

ثُمَّ يُعَايِنُ الكَاهِنُ البَيْتَ. وَيَفْحَصُ الكَاهِنُ العَفَنَ، فَإنْ كَانَ العَفَنُ الَّذِي عَلَى جُدرَانِ البَيْتِ يَتَكَوَّنُ مِنْ بُقَعٍ حَمرَاءَ أوْ خَضرَاءَ غَائِرَةٍ فِي سَطْحِ الجِدَارِ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes how to identify a plague on the walls of a house. It mentions that the plague might appear as hollow streaks that are greenish or reddish and lower than the rest of the wall. The text does not specify who is speaking, but it's part of instructions for dealing with plagues in houses.

Explained for Children

Imagine your house has a spot on the wall that looks like it's sinking in, and it's a weird color, like green or red. This verse tells us how to spot if something's wrong with the wall, just like how a doctor checks if you're sick.

Historical Background

This verse is part of Leviticus, a book traditionally attributed to Moses, written around the 13th-12th century BCE. It was aimed at the Israelites, providing them with laws and instructions on how to live holy lives, including how to deal with plagues on their houses. The cultural setting was one of nomadic and settled communities in the ancient Near East.

Living It Out Today

Today, this verse can remind us to be attentive to signs of problems in our living spaces, whether it’s noticing a leak in the ceiling or mold on the walls. Just like the Israelites had to inspect their homes for plagues, we should regularly check our homes for issues that could affect our health and safety.

Topics

• sanctification
• cleansing
• health
• inspection
• community
• holiness

Related Verses

• Leviticus 13:47
• Numbers 19:14
• Mark 1:40
• Luke 17:11
• 1 Corinthians 10:31

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the 'he' in Leviticus 14:37?

The 'he' likely refers to a priest, as priests were the ones responsible for inspecting and dealing with plagues according to Levitical laws.

What does it mean if the plague is 'lower than the wall'?

The 'lower than the wall' description suggests that the affected area has sunk or receded, indicating a deeper issue beneath the surface, much like how a disease might spread beneath the skin.

How does this relate to modern-day health and safety?

This verse encourages us to be vigilant about the condition of our homes and to address any issues promptly, ensuring a safe and healthy living environment for ourselves and our families.

What should someone do if they find such a plague on their house walls?

In the ancient context, the house would need to be inspected and possibly quarantined or cleansed. Today, one would likely seek professional help to address the issue, whether it's mold, structural damage, or another problem.