Leviticus 13 28

Leviticus 13:28 kjv

And if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not in the skin, but it be somewhat dark; it is a rising of the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him clean: for it is an inflammation of the burning.

Leviticus 13:28 nkjv

But if the bright spot stays in one place, and has not spread on the skin, but has faded, it is a swelling from the burn. The priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is the scar from the burn.

Leviticus 13:28 niv

If, however, the spot is unchanged and has not spread in the skin but has faded, it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce them clean; it is only a scar from the burn.

Leviticus 13:28 esv

But if the spot remains in one place and does not spread in the skin, but has faded, it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is the scar of the burn.

Leviticus 13:28 nlt

But if the affected area has not changed or spread on the skin and has faded, it is simply a swelling from the burn. The priest will then pronounce the person ceremonially clean, for it is only the scar from the burn.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 28 Meaning

Leviticus 13:28 declares that if a bright spot, identified as originating from a burn, remains static without spreading, appears faded or dull, and is identified as a raised scar tissue, then the officiating priest is to pronounce the individual ritually clean. This declaration signifies that the mark is merely a benign scar from a past injury, not the defiling skin condition of tsara'at (often translated as leprosy), ensuring the individual remains pure and integrated within the community.

Leviticus 13 28 Context

Leviticus chapter 13 details elaborate diagnostic procedures for various skin conditions, referred to as tsara'at (often translated as "leprosy"), and related ailments affecting garments or houses. This comprehensive chapter underscores the meticulous nature of God's holiness and the standards for ritual purity within the Israelite community. The immediate context of verse 28 falls within the specific section dealing with burn wounds (Lev 13:24-28). It addresses a particular scenario where a previously burned area develops a discolored spot. The verses before this (Lev 13:25-27) outline conditions where a burn mark might be considered unclean. Verse 28 provides the conclusive and favorable outcome for a benign burn scar, differentiating it clearly from defiling tsara'at. Historically and culturally, these laws served to maintain communal hygiene and health, but primarily established boundaries of ritual purity crucial for worship and participation in the covenant. The priest acted as both a public health official and a ritual authority, embodying God's distinction between clean and unclean, thereby preventing unnecessary social exclusion while safeguarding the spiritual integrity of the community dwelling with a holy God.

Leviticus 13 28 Word analysis

• But if (וְאִם - wə·’im): This conjunction introduces a conditional clause, providing an alternative outcome or specific case following a discussion of other scenarios related to a burn. It signals a shift from potentially unclean outcomes to a clean one.
• the bright spot (הַבַּהֶ֖רֶת - hab·ba·he·reṯ): Bahéret refers to a distinct, lighter, or glistening mark on the skin. While elsewhere it can indicate a symptom of tsara'at, here, coupled with "from a burn," it's understood as the discolored aftermath of the injury, contrasting with active disease. The definite article "the" points back to the spot developing in a burn (Lev 13:24).
• remains (עָֽמְדָה֙ - ‘ā·me·ḏāh): From the verb ‘amad, meaning "to stand," "to endure," or "to remain." It signifies a static, unchanging condition. This immobility is a crucial diagnostic indicator that the spot is not active tsara'at, which typically spreads.
• and does not spread (וְלֹֽא־פָֽשְׁתָה֙ - wə·lō-pā·šeṯāh): The verb pashat means "to spread" or "to expand." The negation "lo" emphasizes the absence of progression. This lack of growth is a definitive sign that the condition is benign, directly opposite to the characteristic behavior of an unclean skin disease (e.g., Lev 13:7).
• in the skin (בָּע֖וֹר - bā·‘ōr): Precisely localizes the spot to the superficial layer, the "skin." This emphasizes that the observation is focused on the outward, visible manifestation.
• and it is dim (וְהִיא֙ כֵּהָה֙ - wə·hî kə·hāh): Kəhāh means "faint," "dull," or "pale." This describes the color or vibrancy of the spot, indicating it lacks the redness, inflammation, or sharp contrast often associated with active disease or deep infection. It suggests a fading scar.
• it is a swelling (שְׂאֵת - śə·’ēṯ): Śe'ēt typically means a "rising," "elevation," or "swelling." Here, it defines the physical texture of the mark – a raised area, consistent with scar tissue forming from a healed burn, differentiating it from flat discoloration.
• from a burn (הַמִּכְוָ֔ה - ham·miḵ·wāh): Miḵwāh specifically means a "burn" or "scald." This term definitively attributes the origin of the śe'ēt (swelling) and bahéret (bright spot) to a prior thermal injury. This is critical for the priest's diagnosis, as identical looking marks could have different ritual statuses depending on their cause.
• and the priest shall pronounce him clean (וְטִהֲר֥וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן - wə·ṭi·hā·rōw hak·kō·hên): The verb tāhar means "to be clean," but in the Hiphil stem, as used here, it means "to declare clean" or "to purify." The priest (hakōhēn), divinely appointed for this role, has the sole authority to make this definitive ritual judgment. His pronouncement lifts the potential state of impurity from the individual, allowing reintegration into the community and sacred spaces.
• for it is the scar (כִּֽי־צָרֶ֥בֶת - kî-ṣā·re·veṯ): Kî means "for" or "because," giving the reason for the clean declaration. Tsārvet (from the root "to burn") means a "scar," "scorching," or "burning mark." This provides the conclusive diagnosis: it is a residual mark, not an active, defiling disease.
• of the burn (הַמִּכְוָה - ham·miḵ·wāh): Repeats the noun miḵwāh (burn), reiterating and emphasizing the etiology of the scar. This repetition underscores that the entire context of the mark is benign, having stemmed from a healed, static burn injury.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "But if the bright spot remains and does not spread in the skin": This phrase establishes the primary negative diagnostic criteria. The persistence of the spot without any enlargement or worsening (non-spreading) is the key indicator distinguishing a harmless mark from active tsara'at.
• "and it is dim, it is a swelling from a burn": These two clauses combine visual (dimness) and tactile (swelling) characteristics with the definitive cause (burn). Together, they form a clear and unmistakable identification of a benign, healed injury rather than a defiling skin disease.
• "and the priest shall pronounce him clean; for it is the scar of the burn": This concluding statement highlights the priest's indispensable role as God's representative in ritual declarations and provides the precise medical and ritual reason for the clean verdict. It confirms that the mark is simply a permanent but harmless physical consequence of an old injury.

Leviticus 13 28 Bonus section

• The meticulous diagnostic criteria in Leviticus, particularly distinguishing benign from potentially infectious conditions, demonstrates a remarkable (though religiously motivated) "public health" approach. It implicitly served to control contagious diseases, while also serving as a strong theological reminder of God's desire for purity among His people.
• The system for identifying and isolating people with tsara'at was not punitive but protective and preventative. By offering clear conditions for release from quarantine (as in this verse), it balanced the protection of the community with the care for the individual's return to normalcy.
• The contrast between the "bright spot" (bahéret) of an active lesion that spreads versus a "dim" bahéret that is merely a "scar" (tsārvet) from a burn highlights God's exacting detail and discernment. This emphasizes His character in differentiating between active spiritual defilement (sin) and the scars of past wounds or trials that do not condemn.

Leviticus 13 28 Commentary

Leviticus 13:28 offers a conclusion of clarity and compassion within the complex framework of purity laws. While much of the chapter focuses on discerning active, spreading tsara'at which results in isolation, this verse provides a specific exception for burn scars. It teaches that not all disfigurements or marks are cause for defilement and communal separation. God's law provides meticulous, evidence-based diagnostic criteria for the priests, enabling them to distinguish a static, benign physical mark from a spreading, defiling condition. The "dim" appearance and lack of "spread" are practical medical observations, but the priest's declaration is ultimately a ritual one, affirming an individual's unhindered standing before God and the community. This precision safeguarded individuals from unnecessary ostracism and highlighted the Lord's careful design for Israel's holiness, separating genuine threat to purity from mere physical imperfection. Spiritually, it underscores that God distinguishes between what is truly corrupting (like sin that spreads and defiles) and what are merely "scars" or marks that do not hinder one's relationship with Him or His people.