Leviticus 14 outlines ritual purification of persons if they are healed (14:1–32) and of houses if fungus abates (14:33–53). The section on houses includes some diagnostic criteria, but the unit is here because the emphasis is on purification. Houses, like garments, are closely connected with their owners, so the Lord’s concern for the purity of his people extends to them.

Skin disease generates such potent impurity that purification requires several stages. Repeated pronouncements that the person is pure (14:8–9, 20) mean “pure enough for this stage.” Compare the way Jesus heals a blind man in stages so he can experience restoration as a process (Mark 8:22–25).

If a priest certifies that an individual is healed from skin disease (cf. Matt. 8:4), a bird is slaughtered over “living” wate…