Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:
Parallel translations
- WEB then the priest shall command that they take out the stones in which is the plague, and cast them into an unclean place outside of the city:
- BSB he must order that the contaminated stones be pulled out and thrown into an unclean place outside the city.
- NKJV then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which is the plague, and they shall cast them into an unclean place outside the city.
- NASB the priest shall order them to pull out the stones with the spot on them and throw them away at an unclean place outside the city.
- NLT the priest must order that the stones from those areas be removed. The contaminated material will then be taken outside the town to an area designated as ceremonially unclean.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If the plague has spread, the priest orders the affected stones removed and cast into an unclean place outside the city. It matters because contaminated portions had to be cut out and discarded to stop the corruption.
Overview
The infected stones are torn out and thrown into an unclean place beyond the city, removing the source of contamination from the dwelling and the community. This decisive excision pictures the principle of cutting away what is corrupt. It echoes the gospel call to put away sin radically, removing whatever spreads defilement among God's people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Rev 2:6But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
- Ps 101:7–8He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
- John 15:2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
- Prov 25:4–5Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
- Rev 2:2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
- Titus 3:10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
- Rev 22:15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
- 2 Jn 1:10–11If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
- 1 Cor 5:5–6To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
- Isa 1:25–26And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
- Prov 22:10Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
- Matt 18:17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
- Rev 2:14–16But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
- 1 Cor 5:13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
- Rev 2:20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
- Ps 101:5Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Every sacrifice, every priest, and every day of atonement points beyond itself to the one perfect offering and the great High Priest who, by his own blood, makes the unclean holy once for all.
How Leviticus 14:40 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.