Leviticus 13 29

Leviticus 13:29 kjv

If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;

Leviticus 13:29 nkjv

"If a man or woman has a sore on the head or the beard,

Leviticus 13:29 niv

"If a man or woman has a sore on their head or chin,

Leviticus 13:29 esv

"When a man or woman has a disease on the head or the beard,

Leviticus 13:29 nlt

"If anyone, either a man or woman, has a sore on the head or chin,

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 29 Meaning

Leviticus 13:29 details a specific scenario within the extensive laws of tzara'at, a term referring to various serious skin ailments and molds that rendered a person ritually unclean. This verse identifies the head or the beard as particular locations where a suspicious lesion or "sore" might appear, requiring the immediate attention and diagnostic judgment of the officiating priest. The purpose is to outline the conditions that necessitated an examination for ritual defilement, which had profound implications for an individual's participation in community life and worship.

Leviticus 13 29 Context

Leviticus 13 stands as a pivotal chapter within the Law given at Sinai, meticulously detailing the protocol for identifying and managing various forms of tzara'at that affect human skin, garments, and dwellings. These laws were not merely public health measures; they were deeply integrated with Israel's religious life, reflecting God's absolute holiness and His demand for a ceremonially pure people dwelling in His presence. The immediate context of verse 29 follows the general guidelines for diagnosing tzara'at and precedes the specific instructions for dealing with a "head or beard scale" (neteq), a particular form of tzara'at. Historically and culturally, skin conditions were viewed with profound apprehension in the ancient Near East, often attributed to divine judgment or demonic influence. Israel's meticulous laws, enforced by the priests, offered a divinely ordered system of identification, separation, and purification that was unique. Unlike pagan cultures that might turn to sorcery or cultic practices for healing, Israel's system directed individuals to God's ordained authorities and processes, reinforcing divine sovereignty over disease and emphasizing that purity came through submission to His statutes. These laws underscored the gravity of physical defilement and its impact on one's communal and spiritual standing, pointing towards the need for ultimate spiritual cleansing.

Leviticus 13 29 Word analysis

• When (כִּי - ki): This Hebrew particle introduces a conditional or temporal clause, effectively setting the stage for a specific situation. It signals that what follows is a particular case or circumstance requiring priestly examination, distinct from general cases.
• a man or woman (אִישׁ אוֹ אִשָּׁה - 'ish 'o 'ishshah): The phrase explicitly states gender inclusivity, indicating that the laws of tzara'at applied universally to all members of the community, regardless of their sex. This underscores the comprehensive nature of ritual defilement and the impartiality of God's law.
• has (יִהְיֶה - yihyeh): Derived from the verb "to be" or "to come to pass," it implies the existence or manifestation of a condition. It signifies the presence of the suspicious sore that warrants attention, not merely a hypothetical possibility.
• a sore (נֶגַע - nega'): This significant Hebrew word translates to "stroke," "blow," or "plague." In the context of Leviticus 13-14, nega' refers to any visible manifestation on skin, garment, or house suspected of being tzara'at. The term itself implies something that has "struck" the person, sometimes conveying the idea of a divine visitation or affliction. It is a critical diagnostic term.
• on the head (בְּרֹאשׁ - b'rosh): The head (Hebrew ro'sh) is a prominent and highly visible part of the body. Its exposure meant that any "sore" here would be easily noticed, drawing attention and immediately raising questions about defilement. The presence of hair could also complicate diagnosis, as subsequent verses address (Lev 13:30).
• or on the beard (אוֹ בַזָּקָן - 'o vazzakan): The beard (Hebrew zaqan) was a deeply symbolic and culturally significant feature for men in ancient Israel, representing maturity, dignity, and a man's honor (2 Sam 10:4-5). A tzara'at sore on the beard would therefore be particularly impactful, affecting a man's public image and potentially leading to profound social isolation and humiliation beyond the ritual uncleanness itself. This area, like the head, presented diagnostic challenges due to hair.

• Words-group analysis:
  • "a man or woman has a sore": This phrase establishes the scope of the law – anyone can be affected. The use of "sore" (nega') highlights that it is not a general illness but a specific, visible eruption. This emphasizes that defilement under tzara'at was not arbitrary but contingent upon discernible physical signs.
  • "on the head or on the beard": These specific locations are critical. They indicate body parts that are prominently visible and, especially for men, linked to identity and honor. The explicit mention of these sites necessitates specific priestly diagnostic procedures outlined in subsequent verses, often dealing with whether the lesion affects the hair in those areas (Lev 13:30ff). It speaks to the comprehensive nature of the Mosaic law in addressing defilement wherever it might appear.

Leviticus 13 29 Bonus section

The type of "sore" referred to in Leviticus 13:29, particularly for the head and beard, is further clarified in verse 30 as neteq, a specific scaly condition often associated with hair. The presence of yellow, thin hair in the lesion (Lev 13:30-31) was a crucial diagnostic indicator for the priest. The distinct procedures for these head/beard lesions reflect the understanding that skin conditions interacting with hair follicles had different diagnostic signs and potential prognoses. This detailed attention points to the Israelite priests functioning effectively as early health diagnosticians under divine guidance. The stringent rules served to prevent the spread of serious conditions (contagion control) while also impressing upon the people the paramount importance of holiness and separation from anything that could compromise their relationship with God or defile the sacred space of the tabernacle/temple.

Leviticus 13 29 Commentary

Leviticus 13:29 functions as a preliminary diagnostic point within the extensive framework for tzara'at. It underscores the meticulousness of God's law regarding purity and impurity, extending its scope to highly visible and symbolically significant areas like the head and beard. The focus is not on personal hygiene but on ritual cleanliness necessary for the community to maintain its covenant relationship with a holy God. The detection of any "sore" in these locations triggered an immediate requirement for priestly inspection, initiating a process that could lead to separation from the camp, reinforcing the gravity of defilement. This physical defilement foreshadows the deeper truth of spiritual defilement due to sin. Just as the ancient Israelite with tzara'at needed a priestly diagnosis and ultimately God's healing and priestly declaration to be restored to the community, so too humanity, afflicted by sin, requires the perfect diagnosis from God's Word and the ultimate cleansing by our High Priest, Jesus Christ, to be restored to fellowship with God. The rigorous nature of these laws demonstrates that God views impurity, whether ritual or spiritual, with extreme seriousness.