This is the lawThe term "law" here refers to the specific regulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. These laws were part of the larger Mosaic Law, which included moral, ceremonial, and civil instructions. The law served to set the Israelites apart as God's chosen people and to maintain purity and holiness within the community.
for someone who has a skin disease
Skin diseases, often translated as "leprosy" in older versions, covered a range of conditions. In ancient Israel, these diseases were not only medical issues but also had significant social and religious implications. Those afflicted were considered ceremonially unclean and were often isolated from the community to prevent the spread of impurity. This reflects the broader biblical theme of sin as a form of spiritual impurity that separates individuals from God.
and cannot afford the cost of his cleansing.
The law provided a means for the poor to be cleansed and reintegrated into the community, demonstrating God's compassion and provision for all, regardless of economic status. The prescribed offerings for cleansing were adjusted for those who could not afford the standard sacrifices, ensuring that poverty did not prevent someone from being restored to fellowship with God and the community. This provision foreshadows the New Testament teaching that salvation and spiritual cleansing through Jesus Christ are available to all, regardless of social or economic standing.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai. He is the mediator between God and the Israelites, conveying God's instructions for holiness and purity.
2.
PriestsThe Levitical priests are responsible for carrying out the purification rituals described in
Leviticus 14. They serve as intermediaries between God and the people, ensuring that the laws are followed correctly.
3.
The Cleansed PersonThis refers to the individual who has been healed from a skin disease (often translated as leprosy) and is undergoing the purification process to be reintegrated into the community.
4.
The TabernacleThe central place of worship for the Israelites, where the purification rituals are performed. It symbolizes God's presence among His people.
5.
The OfferingThe offerings mentioned in
Leviticus 14 include a sin offering and a burnt offering, which are part of the ritual for cleansing a person who could not afford the more expensive offerings.
Teaching Points
God's Provision for AllLeviticus 14:32 shows that God makes provisions for those who are less fortunate, ensuring that everyone has access to purification and restoration. This reflects God's inclusive nature and His desire for all to be part of His community.
The Role of the PriesthoodThe priests serve as mediators, pointing to the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who intercedes on our behalf. This highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance in our lives.
Spiritual CleansingThe physical cleansing rituals in Leviticus symbolize the deeper spiritual cleansing that God desires for His people. This points to the need for repentance and the transformative power of God's grace.
Community RestorationThe purification process allows the cleansed person to rejoin the community, emphasizing the importance of reconciliation and unity within the body of believers.
Compassion and JusticeGod's law provides for the poor, teaching us to act with compassion and justice towards those in need, reflecting God's heart for the marginalized.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 14:32?
2.How does Leviticus 14:32 illustrate God's provision for the financially disadvantaged?
3.What does Leviticus 14:32 teach about God's inclusivity in worship practices?
4.How can we apply the principles of Leviticus 14:32 in modern church life?
5.What New Testament teachings align with the principles in Leviticus 14:32?
6.How does Leviticus 14:32 reflect God's concern for both spiritual and physical well-being?
7.How does Leviticus 14:32 reflect God's provision for the poor in ancient Israelite society?
8.What does Leviticus 14:32 reveal about the importance of ritual purity in biblical times?
9.How does Leviticus 14:32 align with the broader theme of holiness in Leviticus?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 14?
11.How could sprinkling bird blood and water (Leviticus 14:1-7) realistically cure or cleanse a contagious skin disease by any scientific or medical standard?
12.How can one explain the instruction for dealing with mold or 'leprous' houses (Leviticus 14:33-53) given the differences in understanding mold remediation today?
13.Why does the text attribute certain skin conditions to divine judgment instead of natural causes (Leviticus 13:9-17)?
14.Does commanding people with suspicious spots to remain quarantined align with modern understandings of infectious diseases (Leviticus 13:4-5)?What Does Leviticus 14:32 Mean
This is the law- God finishes a detailed section on purification with the words, “This is the law,” underscoring His absolute authority and the non-negotiable nature of these commands (cf.Leviticus 13:59, “This is the law regarding any mark of skin disease or mildew”).
- The phrase reminds Israel that the instructions came directly from the LORD, just as earlier statutes on sacrifices and holiness did (Leviticus 11:46-47;Leviticus 18:4-5).
- By calling it “law,” the Lord ties skin-disease regulations to the broader covenant framework declared at Sinai (Exodus 24:7-8). The same divine voice that said, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3) also says how a diseased person may return to fellowship.
for someone who has a skin disease- The focus is a sufferer of what Scripture often calls “leprosy,” an umbrella term for serious skin conditions that rendered a person ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 13:45-46).
- Physical illness carried social and worship consequences:
• isolation from the camp (Numbers 5:2-3)
• separation from corporate worship (2 Chronicles 26:21)
- Yet the Lord’s concern is unmistakable. He does not leave the afflicted without hope; instead He provides a clear path to restoration (Leviticus 14:1-9).
- This mercy anticipates Christ’s compassion toward lepers in the Gospels—“Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man, saying, ‘I am willing; be clean!’” (Luke 5:13). The consistent pattern is God’s desire to reconcile the unclean.
and cannot afford the cost- Verses 21-31 of the chapter outline a scaled-down offering for the poor, culminating in verse 32. The Lord recognizes economic reality and meets it with grace.
•Leviticus 5:7 provides the same principle for sin offerings: “If, however, he cannot afford a lamb, he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
•Leviticus 12:8 extends the provision to new mothers.
- By acknowledging poverty, God upholds both His holiness and His kindness: no one is priced out of worship.
- The law thus reflects the heart seen later inProverbs 14:31, “Whoever is kind to the needy honors Him,” and ultimately in Christ, who “though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
of his cleansing- “Cleansing” goes beyond medical recovery; it is a ritual declaration that the person may re-enter covenant life.
- The original procedure (Leviticus 14:4-7, 9-20) included:
• two birds—one slain, one released
• cedar wood, scarlet yarn, hyssop
• washing, shaving, and sacrificial blood applied to ear, thumb, and toe
- These symbols point to deeper realities:
• blood brings purification (Hebrews 9:22)
• hyssop evokes a plea for mercy—“Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean” (Psalm 51:7).
- New-covenant fulfillment shines in texts likeHebrews 9:13-14, where Christ’s blood “cleanses our conscience,” andRevelation 7:14, where saints “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” God always intended cleansing to find its ultimate expression in His Son.
summaryLeviticus 14:32 gathers the entire chapter’s mercy into one sentence. God authoritatively establishes a way back for the diseased, shows tender regard for the poor, and holds out cleansing that ultimately points to Christ. The verse reassures every reader that no condition—physical, social, or financial—can keep a repentant heart from the restoring grace God has lovingly provided.
(32)
This is the law of him . . . whose hand is not able to get.--That is, that which is laid down in
Leviticus 14:21-31 constitutes the law for the restored leper who is too poor to offer the sacrifices prescribed in
Leviticus 14:10-20.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Thisזֹ֣את(zōṯ)Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063:Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,is the lawתּוֹרַ֔ת(tō·w·raṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451:Direction, instruction, lawfor someone whoאֲשֶׁר־(’ă·šer-)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thathas a skin diseaseצָרָ֑עַת(ṣā·rā·‘aṯ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6883:Leprosyand cannotלֹֽא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noaffordתַשִּׂ֥יג(ṯaś·śîḡ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5381:To reach, overtakethe cost of his cleansing.”בְּטָהֳרָתֽוֹ׃(bə·ṭā·ho·rā·ṯōw)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2893:Ceremonial purification, moral purity
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OT Law: Leviticus 14:32 This is the law for him (Le Lv Lev.)