Leviticus 13 10

Leviticus 13:10 kjv

And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the rising be white in the skin, and it have turned the hair white, and there be quick raw flesh in the rising;

Leviticus 13:10 nkjv

And the priest shall examine him; and indeed if the swelling on the skin is white, and it has turned the hair white, and there is a spot of raw flesh in the swelling,

Leviticus 13:10 niv

The priest is to examine them, and if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white and if there is raw flesh in the swelling,

Leviticus 13:10 esv

and the priest shall look. And if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh in the swelling,

Leviticus 13:10 nlt

If the priest finds a white swelling on the skin, and some hair on the spot has turned white, and there is an open sore in the affected area,

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 10 Meaning

Leviticus 13:10 details specific observable criteria that a priest must diligently examine in an individual suspected of having tzara'at (a severe skin condition). This verse focuses purely on the diagnostic signs: a distinct white swelling or prominent spot on the skin, combined with hair in that area having turned white, and the presence of "quick raw flesh," indicating exposed, living tissue. These precise physical characteristics together signal a deep-seated, active, and chronic state of tzara'at, which according to Mosaic Law, rendered an individual ritually unclean.

Leviticus 13 10 Context

Leviticus chapter 13 establishes the intricate laws concerning tzara'at, a term commonly translated as "leprosy" but encompassing various severe, ritually defiling skin conditions, molds, or mildews. This chapter underscores God's meticulous concern for holiness within the Israelite community, linking physical purity with spiritual uprightness. The role of the priest (Kohen) is paramount, not as a medical doctor, but as God's designated diagnostician and declarer of ritual status. The purpose of these laws was not merely health management but maintaining the sacred integrity of the camp of Israel, a reflection of God's holy presence among them. An individual diagnosed with tzara'at would be declared unclean and ritually separated from the community (Numbers 5:2), symbolizing the devastating effects of sin, which defiles and separates from God. Verse 10 specifically describes one set of irreversible criteria for immediately recognizing a well-established and serious case of this defiling disease, prompting a definitive ruling from the priest without the need for a waiting period (as was common in other suspected cases, e.g., Lev 13:4-5). This distinction between superficial, temporary conditions and deep, chronic ones was crucial for the integrity of the holiness system.

Leviticus 13 10 Word analysis

• And the priest shall see him:
  • priest (Kohen, כֹּהֵן): Refers to a male descendant of Aaron, divinely appointed to mediate between God and the Israelites. His role here is juridical and theological, acting as an authoritative examiner and arbiter of ritual purity according to divine law.
  • see (ra’ah, רָאָה): More than a casual glance; it implies careful observation, discernment, inspection, and the rendering of a judgment based on precise visual evidence. This "seeing" leads to a verdict.
• and, behold,:
  • behold (w’hinnēh, וְהִנֵּה): An interjection signaling emphasis and calling immediate attention to the crucial observations that follow. It highlights the significant diagnostic signs the priest is about to observe.
• if the rising is white:
  • if (im, אִם): Introduces a conditional clause, outlining a specific condition that, if met, triggers a prescribed action or diagnosis.
  • rising (se’ēt, שְׂאֵת): A swelling, elevation, or prominence on the skin. It denotes a raised lesion, distinguishing it from a flat spot.
  • white (lavan, לָבָן): Describes the color of the swelling. This whiteness is typically abnormal, often bright or unnatural, signifying disease rather than healthy skin. It points to a distinct change in pigment.
• in the skin:
  • in the skin (‘ôr, עוֹר): Specifies the location of the affliction, indicating it is on the outer surface of the body, making it visible for priestly examination.
• and it hath changed the hair white:
  • changed the hair white (huphkah se‘ar lavan, הֻפְּכָה שֵׂעָר לָבָן): A critical diagnostic sign. If the hair within the lesion has turned white, it indicates that the condition is not merely superficial but has penetrated to the hair follicles, suggesting a more deep-seated and serious progression of tzara'at.
• and there be quick raw flesh in the rising:
  • quick raw flesh (basar chay, בְּשַׂר חַי, literally "living flesh"): This is a decisive symptom. It refers to open, unhealed, exposed, living tissue, indicating that the skin barrier has been broken and the condition is active, festering, and advanced. This is a severe sign of persistent, active infection or affliction.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the priest shall see him: and, behold,": This opening phrase underscores the sacred authority and keen discernment required of the priest. It emphasizes that this is not a casual glance but a divinely ordained, purposeful inspection. The "behold" stresses the gravity of the symptoms that follow.
• "if the rising is white in the skin,": This identifies the primary, observable lesion: a prominent, unnaturally pale or white disfiguration on the skin's surface. It's the initial visible flag requiring further examination.
• "and it hath changed the hair white,": This condition adds a layer of severity. The alteration of hair color within the lesion suggests the disease has progressed deeper than the superficial epidermal layer, affecting the underlying structures of the hair follicles. This moves the condition from potentially benign to likely severe tzara'at.
• "and there be quick raw flesh in the rising": This is the conclusive, dire symptom. The presence of exposed, "living" or unhealed flesh means the skin has broken down, and the affliction is aggressive, deep-seated, and openly manifest. This combined with the white rising and white hair constitutes an unambiguous diagnosis of established, defiling tzara'at, signaling a chronic and advanced state of uncleanness.

Leviticus 13 10 Bonus section

The concept of tzara'at in Leviticus extends beyond medical conditions to carry profound theological and spiritual weight. The disease, often viewed as a divine "stroke" or judgment, resulted in immediate expulsion from the community (Lev 13:46; Num 5:2), visually emphasizing the spiritual separation from God caused by sin. The rigorous diagnostic process highlights God's demand for thoroughness and uncompromised holiness in His presence. It also underscores the incapacity of individuals to self-diagnose or self-cleanse their defilement, requiring an external, authoritative declaration from the priest. This foreshadows humanity's inherent inability to purify itself from sin, necessitating a divine intermediary and sacrifice to cleanse and restore communion with a holy God. The details concerning hair turning white or raw flesh appearing indicate stages of severity, revealing how even minor spiritual blemishes can progress into devastating spiritual disease if left unaddressed, requiring decisive spiritual action and separation until divine cleansing occurs.

Leviticus 13 10 Commentary

Leviticus 13:10 sets forth the defining characteristics that immediately signify a severe and chronic case of tzara'at, leaving no room for a seven-day quarantine period (as per Lev 13:4-5). The three critical indicators—a white swelling, accompanying white hair, and exposed raw flesh—together point to a deeply rooted and active manifestation. The priest's meticulous observation (indicated by "see," ra'ah) of these precise signs was crucial for maintaining the holiness of the Israelite community. This meticulous protocol reflects God's insistence on absolute purity among His people. The physical manifestations served as potent object lessons for sin: it begins small, spreads, defiles, and isolates. Just as these visible signs allowed a priestly declaration of impurity, the deeper defilement of sin requires divine discernment and intervention for cleansing. These ritual laws, while binding for Israel, find their ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ, who perfectly discerns, touches, and cleanses from the deeper uncleanness of sin (Matt 8:1-4; Heb 9:14), providing not just ritual purity but spiritual restoration and true access to God.