Leviticus 14:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →One bird is killed over running water in an earthen pot, establishing the symbolic means of cleansing.
The Context of Leviticus 14:5
The first bird's death provides the blood that will cleanse the healed person.
What Does Leviticus 14:5 Mean?
Running water represented cleansing and life; an earthen vessel was temporary and disposable, reinforcing that impurity was being cast out and destroyed. The bird's death was not a final sacrifice but a tool for restoration—its blood would be used to reverse uncleanness.
The phrase 'over running water' ensured the bird's death and its blood were linked to purification. The water would carry away residual uncleanness, and the vessel itself would be broken and abandoned after use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 14:5
What does Leviticus 14:5 mean?
One bird is killed over running water in an earthen pot, establishing the symbolic means of cleansing.
What is the context of Leviticus 14:5?
The first bird's death provides the blood that will cleanse the healed person.