Leviticus 13 21

Leviticus 13:21 kjv

But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hairs therein, and if it be not lower than the skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:

Leviticus 13:21 nkjv

But if the priest examines it, and indeed there are no white hairs in it, and it is not deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall isolate him seven days;

Leviticus 13:21 niv

But if, when the priest examines it, there is no white hair in it and it is not more than skin deep and has faded, then the priest is to isolate them for seven days.

Leviticus 13:21 esv

But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in it and it is not deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall shut him up seven days.

Leviticus 13:21 nlt

But if the priest finds no white hair on the affected area and the problem appears to be no more than skin-deep and has faded, the priest must quarantine the person for seven days.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 21 Meaning

Leviticus 13:21 outlines a specific scenario in the examination of a person with a skin affliction originating from a burn. The priest, acting as a divine diagnostician, observes the affected area. If there are no white hairs present within the lesion and the affliction is not noticeably deeper than the surrounding skin, but appears faint or "dim," the individual is to be isolated for a period of seven days. This isolation is not a judgment of uncleanness but rather a necessary measure for further observation and discernment, indicating uncertainty regarding the nature of the condition.

Leviticus 13 21 Context

Leviticus 13 primarily details the comprehensive regulations regarding tsara'at (often translated "leprosy"), a broad term for various skin diseases, mildew in garments, and mold in houses that rendered an individual or object ritually unclean. The chapter emphasizes the role of the priest, not as a physician, but as the appointed judge and mediator of ritual purity. The laws reflect God's emphasis on holiness, the distinction between clean and unclean, and the communal separation of those afflicted, not out of medical quarantine alone, but due to their ritual defilement impacting the sacred space of the camp. Verse 21 specifically addresses a challenging case arising from a burn, where the symptoms are ambiguous, requiring an observational period to ensure proper diagnosis and prevent false declarations of uncleanness or cleanness. These laws protected the sanctity of God's presence among His people and instilled a deep awareness of sin's defiling nature, which separates from God.

Leviticus 13 21 Word analysis

• And if the priest look (וְרָאָה הַכֹּהֵן - və-rāʾāh ha-kōhēn):
  • וְרָאָה (və-rāʾāh): From רָאָה (ra'ah), meaning "to see, look, perceive, observe, examine." It denotes careful observation, not just a casual glance. This highlights the priest's essential diagnostic role in ritual purity, which demanded diligent and precise discernment.
  • הַכֹּהֵן (ha-kōhēn): "The priest." Singular, emphasizing that this is a specific, divinely appointed individual whose judgment is authoritative in matters of ritual purity. The priest functions as God's representative in declaring clean or unclean. His discernment directly impacts the community and individual's standing before God.
• and, behold, there be in it no white hairs (וְהִנֵּה אֵין בּוֹ שֵׂעָר לָבָן - və-hinneh ʾēn bō śēʿār lāḇān):
  • וְהִנֵּה (və-hinneh): "And behold," an interjection calling attention to the specific condition, emphasizing observation.
  • אֵין (ʾēn): "No, there is not." This negates a primary, clear sign of active tsara'at (Lev 13:3, 10), which often involved white hairs appearing within the lesion, signifying the deep-rooted nature of the affliction.
  • שֵׂעָר לָבָן (śēʿār lāḇān): "White hair." In the context of Leviticus 13, the presence of white hairs in a skin lesion (especially in raw flesh, as in 13:10) was a critical indicator of tsara'at. Its absence in this verse indicates that the condition is not a clear-cut case of severe uncleanness.
• and it be not lower than the skin (וְהִיא אֵינֶנָּה עָמֹק מִן־הָעוֹר - və-hî ʾênennâ ʿāmōq min-hāʿôr):
  • אֵינֶנָּה (ʾênennâ): "It is not." Again, a negative indicator.
  • עָמֹק (ʿāmōq): "Deep, lower." This refers to the lesion being sunken or appearing to have penetrated deeper than the surrounding healthy skin. Deepness was another crucial sign of definitive tsara'at (Lev 13:3, 25). Its absence here means the lesion is superficial or level, further contributing to the ambiguity.
  • מִן־הָעוֹר (min-hāʿôr): "Than the skin," referring to the normal surrounding skin level.
• but be dim (וְהִוא כֵהָה - və-hî k̄ēhâ):
  • כֵהָה (k̄ēhâ): "Dim, dull, faint, indistinct, dusky." This is the crucial term describing the uncertain nature of the lesion. It implies an unclear or unpronounced manifestation, neither definitively spreading nor definitively healed. This "dimness" necessitates further observation because it doesn't meet the criteria for either outright uncleanness or cleanness.
• then the priest shall shut him up seven days: (וְהִסְגִּירֹו הַכֹּהֵן שִׁבְעַת יָמִים - və-hisgîrō ha-kōhēn shīvʿat yāmîm):
  • וְהִסְגִּירֹו (və-hisgîrō): "And he shall shut him up/confine him/isolate him." This is the active role of the priest, placing the individual in temporary separation. This action demonstrates God's wisdom in not making rash judgments for uncertain cases.
  • שִׁבְעַת יָמִים (shīvʿat yāmîm): "Seven days." A significant period in biblical terms, often used for observation, testing, completion, or purification cycles (e.g., Creation week, purification after childbirth). This timeframe allows for the natural progression or regression of the skin condition to become clear.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "no white hairs" and "not lower than the skin": These two phrases directly negate the primary, overt signs of active tsara'at previously mentioned in Lev 13:3 and subsequent verses. This immediate disqualification of severe symptoms sets the stage for a more nuanced diagnosis. It implies that the condition, though potentially problematic, lacks the definitive markers of serious defilement requiring immediate declaration of uncleanness.
• "but be dim": This phrase introduces the central diagnostic challenge of the verse. The "dimness" (kehēh) means the lesion is ambiguous – it's not clearly clean, nor is it clearly unclean. This requires careful, unhurried judgment rather than an immediate ruling. This reflects God's patient justice and a commitment to accurate discernment.
• "then the priest shall shut him up seven days": This prescribed action demonstrates God's administrative wisdom in managing health and purity. It mandates a probationary period. This "shutting up" provides time for the natural progression or regression of the condition, allowing for clearer signs to emerge. It underlines the principle that discernment, especially in ambiguous cases, often requires patient observation rather than immediate, definitive pronouncements. It's a delay for divine clarity, not a final judgment.

Leviticus 13 21 Bonus section

The burn aspect (from Lev 13:18-28) introduces an element of external causation. While some tsara'at might have been seemingly spontaneous, afflictions arising from burns (or boils) highlight that external damage can sometimes manifest in ways that mimic more severe spiritual uncleanness. This reinforces the idea that the priest's role was strictly to identify ritual impurity as per God's law, regardless of the physical origin. The "seven days" motif found here and throughout Leviticus and other parts of Scripture is critical. It signifies completeness or a divine period of testing and resolution. This duration ensures a thorough examination, accounting for natural bodily changes or the progression of disease, aligning the priestly judgment with divine wisdom. It implies that spiritual discernment often requires time, observation, and waiting on God's revelation rather than immediate human conclusions.

Leviticus 13 21 Commentary

Leviticus 13:21 highlights the meticulous nature of the Lord's purity laws, especially concerning ambiguous cases. Unlike outright declarations of "clean" or "unclean," this verse deals with a "dim" or uncertain presentation of a skin affliction following a burn. The absence of white hairs and the lesion not being deeper than the skin indicates that it lacks the overt, clear signs of the most severe tsara'at. However, its "dimness" prevents an immediate declaration of cleanness, prompting a necessary period of isolation for seven days. This temporary separation serves as a time for the true nature of the condition to manifest. Spiritually, this passage illustrates the principle of careful discernment and patience in spiritual matters. Not all appearances are immediately conclusive. Sometimes, "dimness" in our lives or in others – an ambiguous moral state, a spiritual struggle, or a lack of clear manifestation of fruit – calls for a season of patient observation and prayer, rather than hasty judgment or condemnation. It's a time for truth to reveal itself under divine observation, just as the priest, guided by God's law, awaited the clearer signs of health or defilement.