Old Testament
Leviticus 14:38
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
the priest will leave the house, go to the doorway, and quarantine the house for 7 days.
Compare translations
Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days:
What Leviticus 14:38 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Leviticus 14:38, the priest is instructed to leave the house and go to its entrance to quarantine it for seven days. This process is part of the ritual for dealing with potential cases of mold or disease in a home. The quarantine serves as a precautionary measure to determine if the house is truly contaminated. If the priest finds that the mold has spread after the seven days, further actions will be taken to cleanse the house. This practice emphasizes the importance of health and cleanliness in the community, as well as the role of the priest in maintaining spiritual and physical purity. The quarantine period allows for careful observation and ensures that any potential health risks are addressed before the house is deemed safe for habitation again.
How to apply Leviticus 14:38 to your life
This verse reminds us of the importance of taking precautions in our lives, especially regarding health and safety. Just as the priest quarantined the house, we should be vigilant about our environments and take necessary steps to ensure they are safe and clean for ourselves and others.
Curated for this public verse page. Leviticus Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Esther's story: Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 2:1–18)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Esther
Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shiloh
Where Israel set up the tabernacle, and where God called the boy Samuel.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Leviticus 14:38
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Leviticus 14:38
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Leviticus
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Leviticus 14:38 mean?
Leviticus 14:38 describes the process where a priest quarantines a house for seven days to check for mold or disease. This step is part of ensuring the health and cleanliness of the community.
What is the significance of quarantine in Leviticus 14:38?
The quarantine in Leviticus 14:38 serves as a precautionary measure to determine if a house is contaminated. It highlights the importance of health and safety in the community.
Why did the priest leave the house in Leviticus 14:38?
The priest left the house to quarantine it and assess whether any contamination was present, ensuring the safety of the community.
How does Leviticus 14:38 relate to health practices today?
Leviticus 14:38 illustrates the importance of taking health precautions, similar to modern practices of quarantining areas to prevent the spread of disease.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.