John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed , etc.] That is, shall command another priest to kill one of them, or an Israelite, as Aben Ezra; and who also observes, that some say the leper, or the butcher, as the Targum of Jonathan; the killing of this bird, not being a sacrifice, might be done without the camp, as it was, and not at the altar, near to which sacrifices were slain, and where they were offered: and this was to be done in an earthen vessel over running water : this vessel, according to the Jewish traditions f478 , was to be a new one, and a fourth part of a log of running water was to be put into it, and then the bird was to be killed over it, and its blood squeezed into it, and then a hole was dug, and it was buried before the leprous person; and so it should be rendered, “over an earthen vessel”, as it is in the Tigurine version, and by Noldius f479 ; for how could it be killed in it, especially when water was in it? the killing of this bird may have respect to the sufferings, death, and bloodshed of Christ, which were necessary for the purging and cleansing of leprous sinners, and which were endured in his human nature, comparable to an earthen vessel, as an human body sometimes is; (see 2 Corinthians 4:7); for he was crucified through weakness, and was put to death in the flesh, ( Corinthians 13:4 1 Peter 3:18); and the running or living water mixed with blood may denote both the sanctification and justification of Christ’s people by the water and blood which sprung from his pierced side, and the continual virtue thereof to take away sin, and free from it; or the active and passive obedience of Christ, which both together are the matter of a sinner’s justification before God.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - The priests could not cleanse the lepers; but when the Lord removed the plague, various rules were to be observed in admitting them again to the ordinances of God, and the society of his people. They represen many duties and exercises of truly repenting sinners, and the duties of ministers respecting them. If we apply this to the spiritual leprosy of sin, it intimates that when we withdraw from those who walk disorderly we must not count them as enemies, but admonish them as brethren. An also that when God by his grace has brought to repentance, they ough with tenderness and joy, and sincere affection, to be received again Care should always be taken that sinners may not be encouraged, no penitents discouraged. If it were found that the leprosy was healed the priest must declare it with the particular solemnities her described. The two birds, one killed, and the other dipped in the bloo of the bird that was killed, and then let loose, may signify Chris shedding his blood for sinners, and rising and ascending into heaven The priest having pronounced the leper clean from the disease, he mus make himself clean from all remains of it. Thus those who have comfor of the remission of their sins, must with care and caution cleans themselves from sins; for every one that has this hope in him, will be concerned to purify himself.
Original Hebrew וצוה6680 הכהן3548 ושׁחט7819 את853 הצפור6833 האחת259 אל413 כלי3627 חרשׂ2789 על5921 מים4325 חיים׃2416
