Leviticus 13 16

Leviticus 13:16 kjv

Or if the raw flesh turn again, and be changed unto white, he shall come unto the priest;

Leviticus 13:16 nkjv

Or if the raw flesh changes and turns white again, he shall come to the priest.

Leviticus 13:16 niv

If the raw flesh changes and turns white, they must go to the priest.

Leviticus 13:16 esv

But if the raw flesh recovers and turns white again, then he shall come to the priest,

Leviticus 13:16 nlt

However, if the open sores heal and turn white like the rest of the skin, the person must return to the priest

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 16 Meaning

Leviticus 13:16 specifies that if the previously active "raw flesh" within a leprous sore (Hebrew: tzara'at) retreats and changes its appearance to a fully white color, the affected person must return to the priest for re-examination. This indicates a critical diagnostic shift in the skin condition, necessitating priestly reassessment for a potential declaration of purity.

Leviticus 13 16 Context

Leviticus Chapter 13 provides an extensive and detailed guide for identifying and managing various skin diseases, primarily tzara'at (often translated as leprosy, though likely encompassing a broader range of serious skin afflictions). These regulations were crucial for maintaining ceremonial purity within the Israelite community, distinguishing those who were clean from those who were unclean. The priest's role was paramount, not as a medical healer, but as God's designated authority to examine the signs, make pronouncements of ceremonial purity or impurity, and thus determine a person's status within the camp. The laws also governed house mold and garments. Verse 16 specifically addresses a particular diagnostic shift: the reversion of previously active, "raw flesh" in a sore back to a benign "white" appearance, demanding further priestly inspection. This verse highlights the dynamic nature of these conditions and the need for meticulous, ongoing observation by the priestly authority.

Leviticus 13 16 Word analysis

• Or: Connects this specific diagnostic scenario as another condition requiring priestly evaluation, following previous rules regarding tzara'at appearance.

• if: Introduces a conditional clause, outlining a particular circumstance under which the action specified in the latter part of the verse becomes necessary.

• the raw flesh: (Hebrew: basar chai, בָּשָׂר חַי). Basar refers to flesh, meat, or body, and chai means living or raw. This specific term appeared in Lev 13:14-15 to indicate an active, festering, and highly impure state of tzara'at. Its presence initially declared the individual unclean.

• turns again: (Hebrew: ve-shav, וְשָׁב, from the root shuv). This word signifies a turning back, returning, or restoring. It implies a reversal of the condition described in the preceding verse (Lev 13:15). It indicates a dynamic change from one state to another, not merely a static observation.

• and is changed: (Hebrew: hephak, הָפַךְ). This verb means to overturn, change, or transform. It further emphasizes the significant alteration in the appearance of the afflicted area, moving from the active "raw flesh" to a different presentation.

• to white: (Hebrew: l-lavan, לְלָבָן). White (lavan) is a critical color in the diagnosis of tzara'at. In contrast to the raw flesh, an overall whiteness (as seen in Lev 13:13, 17) often indicated that the disease had ceased to spread or was healing, potentially leading to a declaration of cleanness if other conditions were met. The change to white signals a shift towards a potentially non-contagious or dormant state.

• he shall come: This is a clear directive, an imperative command. The individual does not have the option to delay or self-determine their status; immediate compliance is required under the divine law.

• to the priest: The Kohen (priest) was the divinely appointed official responsible for administering the laws of tzara'at. He alone had the authority to pronounce a person clean or unclean based on the observable signs and God's statutes. His discernment ensured adherence to ceremonial purity within the holy community.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Or if the raw flesh turns again and is changed to white": This phrase outlines a crucial reversal of symptoms that were previously clear indicators of uncleanness. It details a specific change from an active, impure state ("raw flesh") to a potentially healing or dormant state (whiteness), demonstrating the meticulous detail required for tzara'at diagnosis. This re-presentation necessitates a fresh evaluation by the spiritual authority.
  • "he shall come to the priest": This emphasizes the absolute necessity of submitting to God's ordained authority for the discernment of one's purity status. The individual cannot make a judgment about their own condition, reinforcing the divine order and the priest's intermediary role in applying God's covenant laws to daily life and communal purity.

Leviticus 13 16 Bonus section

• The diagnostic process for tzara'at described in Leviticus stands in stark contrast to the superstitious practices or ineffective remedies often employed for skin diseases in ancient Near Eastern cultures. God's system relied on observable, evolving symptoms and priestly declaration, not magic or divination, demonstrating a divinely rational and ordered approach to ceremonial purity.
• The meticulous distinctions between various shades and appearances (raw, white, reddish, dark spots, spreading vs. static) highlight God's precision in establishing ceremonial law. This teaches the importance of careful discernment and adherence to divine standards for distinguishing purity from impurity, whether physical, moral, or spiritual.
• The isolation required for those with active tzara'at underscores the serious theological implications of uncleanness. The change to a white appearance, as described in verse 16, potentially offered a pathway to reintegration into the community and access to the tabernacle, symbolizing a return to fellowship with both fellow Israelites and God Himself after being pronounced clean by the priest. This echoes the Christian concept of being "clean" and welcomed into God's presence through Christ.

Leviticus 13 16 Commentary

Leviticus 13:16 serves as a crucial point within the detailed diagnostic framework for tzara'at. Having previously identified "raw flesh" (v. 14-15) as an immediate indicator of uncleanness, this verse describes a critical counter-development: if this raw flesh changes, reversing to an entirely "white" appearance. This shift implies a significant alteration in the disease's progression, moving from an active, open sore towards a state that might signal dormancy or even healing. This dynamic nature underscores that a single observation was not always sufficient; continuous monitoring was often required.

The divine command for the individual to return to "the priest" is paramount. The affected person lacked the authority to declare their own status. The priest's judgment was final, ensuring consistent application of God's purity laws. This entire process was not merely a medical diagnosis but a profound theological exercise. Tzara'at isolated the individual from the community and God's sanctuary, serving as a constant reminder of sin's defiling nature and the holiness of God, who requires purity for communion. The changing signs, particularly a return to "white" which sometimes indicated healing or a non-contagious state (cf. Lev 13:13), offered a glimmer of hope for reintegration. Ultimately, the meticulousness of these laws reveals God's desire for His people to live in a state of spiritual and ceremonial purity, always discerning between clean and unclean, a foreshadowing of the perfect cleansing offered through Christ.