Leviticus 13 3

Leviticus 13:3 kjv

And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.

Leviticus 13:3 nkjv

The priest shall examine the sore on the skin of the body; and if the hair on the sore has turned white, and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a leprous sore. Then the priest shall examine him, and pronounce him unclean.

Leviticus 13:3 niv

The priest is to examine the sore on the skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is a defiling skin disease. When the priest examines that person, he shall pronounce them ceremonially unclean.

Leviticus 13:3 esv

and the priest shall examine the diseased area on the skin of his body. And if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a case of leprous disease. When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean.

Leviticus 13:3 nlt

The priest will examine the affected area of the skin. If the hair in the affected area has turned white and the problem appears to be more than skin-deep, it is a serious skin disease, and the priest who examines it must pronounce the person ceremonially unclean.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 3 Meaning

Leviticus 13:3 describes the specific diagnostic criteria a priest uses to determine if a suspected skin affliction is indeed "leprosy" (tsara'at), leading to the individual being declared ritually unclean. The two primary visual signs the priest must observe are hair within the affected area turning white and the affliction appearing to be deeper than the surrounding skin. If these conditions are met, the priest immediately declares it the contagious, purifying tsara'at.

Leviticus 13 3 Context

Leviticus 13 provides detailed regulations for diagnosing and managing various skin diseases, primarily tsara'at, often translated as "leprosy." This chapter is part of a larger section (Lev 11-15) dealing with laws of ritual purity and impurity, emphasizing the necessity of a holy community in the presence of a holy God. The verses immediately preceding 13:3 (Lev 13:1-2) set the stage, indicating that any individual suspecting a skin affliction must present themselves to the priest. This specific verse details two critical, immediate signs that necessitate the immediate declaration of tsara'at.

Historically and culturally, these laws ensured ritual holiness within the Israelite camp, where God dwelled. Skin diseases, particularly those described as tsara'at, were seen as manifestations of impurity that threatened the community's sanctity and health. The priest, not a physician, functioned as God's designated diagnostician, upholding the divine standards for maintaining purity and order. The prescribed quarantine or expulsion (Num 5:2) of those declared unclean served both a hygienic purpose and, more profoundly, reinforced the concept that anything unholy or impure could not remain within the sacred space of God's dwelling and His people. The laws underscored God's distinction between clean and unclean, reinforcing the idea that sin (spiritual uncleanness) also separated one from God.

Leviticus 13 3 Word analysis

• And the priest shall look
  • priest (Hebrew: כֹּהֵן, kohen): Refers to a descendant of Aaron, specifically appointed by God (Exod 28-29) to mediate between God and the people, offer sacrifices, and administer cultic law. His role here is diagnostic and declarative, not medical or curative. He acts as God's representative to determine ritual status.
  • shall look (Hebrew: רָאָה, ra'ah): Implies a careful, discerning examination, not a superficial glance. The priest is to meticulously observe the symptoms to make an accurate judgment according to divine criteria. This is a task requiring divine wisdom and precise application of the Law.
• on the plague
  • plague (Hebrew: נֶגַע, nega): This term is broadly translated as "blow," "stroke," or "affliction." In Leviticus 13-14, it specifically refers to the manifestation of skin conditions, garment decay, or mildew in houses, all of which fall under the tsara'at category. It emphasizes that this is often seen as a divinely inflicted affliction or sign, distinct from common ailments.
• in the skin of the flesh
  • skin of the flesh (Hebrew: עוֹר הַבָּשָׂר, 'or habbasar): Refers explicitly to the human body's outermost layer. This precise specification rules out conditions affecting hair, nails, or deeper tissues exclusively, limiting the diagnostic focus.
• and when the hair in the plague is turned white
  • hair (Hebrew: שֵׂעָר, se'ar): Specific mention of hair growing within or at the site of the affliction.
  • turned white (Hebrew: הָפַךְ לָבָן, hafakh lavan): This is a critical diagnostic symptom. White hair within a lesion would indicate that the roots of the hair follicles were also affected, suggesting a deep-seated and serious condition beyond surface irritation. It’s one of the two definitive signs.
• and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh
  • deeper than the skin (Hebrew: עָמֹק מֵעוֹר הַבָּשָׂר, amoq me'or habbasar): The second critical diagnostic symptom. This means the affected area doesn't merely lie on the surface but visibly extends beneath the top layer of skin. It signifies the disease has penetrated deeper, further supporting a diagnosis of tsara'at.
• it is a plague of leprosy
  • leprosy (Hebrew: צָרַעַת, tsara'at): This term encompasses a broader range of skin conditions than modern "Hansen's disease." It also includes various fungal infections or even miraculously inflicted conditions (like Miriam's in Num 12) or physical signs related to spiritual states. It's a ritually defiling condition, separating the afflicted from the community and the sanctuary.
• and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean
  • pronounce him unclean (Hebrew: טָמֵא, tame'): To declare someone ceremonially impure according to the Mosaic Law. This declaration results in ritual segregation, often outside the camp, to prevent the spread of impurity within the holy community and maintain its sanctity before God. It highlights the priest's final authority in these matters.

Leviticus 13 3 Bonus section

The detailed instructions for diagnosing tsara'at in Leviticus highlight God's order and concern for Israel's holiness. While the primary function was ritual and theological, declaring a state of defilement that required separation, these laws also provided a practical benefit in preventing the spread of potentially infectious diseases within the close confines of the Israelite camp. This blended approach of spiritual concern and public health underscores the comprehensive nature of God's law for His people. The "white" color, mentioned explicitly for hair and implying pallor in the lesion, might signify the deadening effect of sin or impurity – life and vitality being drained, leaving a visible mark.

Leviticus 13 3 Commentary

Leviticus 13:3 acts as a key diagnostic threshold in the elaborate system of purity laws. It immediately qualifies a skin condition as tsara'at if two definitive symptoms are present: white hair within the affected area and the lesion appearing deeper than the surrounding skin. These criteria bypass the need for a week-long quarantine for observation, indicating a clear, severe form of ritual impurity.

The priest's role is not that of a physician to cure, but a divine arbiter to discern. He applies God's specific diagnostic instructions to protect the spiritual and physical integrity of the Israelite camp. The purpose is not primarily medical treatment, but ritual separation. Tsara'at represented profound impurity, often understood as a metaphor for sin and its defiling nature, which separates an individual from God and the community (cf. Isa 59:2). The expulsion from the camp (Num 5:2) physically demonstrated the spiritual consequence of impurity and unholiness. This meticulous discernment reflects God's demand for holiness and the gravity of sin, emphasizing that unchecked impurity cannot coexist with a holy God. Jesus' ministry, notably His direct touch and cleansing of those with tsara'at, powerfully demonstrates His authority over sin and defilement, transcending the Levitical priestly diagnosis (Mt 8:1-4).