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:
Parallel translations
- KJV 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:
- 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 you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
- Ps 101:7–8He who practices deceit won’t dwell within my house. He who speaks falsehood won’t be established before my eyes.
- John 15:2Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
- Prov 25:4–5Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
- Rev 2:2“I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.
- Titus 3:10Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning,
- Rev 22:15Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
- 2 Jn 1:10–11If anyone comes to you, and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him,
- 1 Cor 5:5–6are to deliver such a one to 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 on you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin.
- Prov 22:10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
- Matt 18:17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.
- Rev 2:14–16But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
- 1 Cor 5:13But those who are outside, God judges. “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.”
- Rev 2:20But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
- Ps 101:5I will silence whoever secretly slanders his neighbor. I won’t tolerate one who is haughty and conceited.
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.