Leviticus 13 30

Leviticus 13:30 kjv

Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a dry scall, even a leprosy upon the head or beard.

Leviticus 13:30 nkjv

then the priest shall examine the sore; and indeed if it appears deeper than the skin, and there is in it thin yellow hair, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a scaly leprosy of the head or beard.

Leviticus 13:30 niv

the priest is to examine the sore, and if it appears to be more than skin deep and the hair in it is yellow and thin, the priest shall pronounce them unclean; it is a defiling skin disease on the head or chin.

Leviticus 13:30 esv

the priest shall examine the disease. And if it appears deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is an itch, a leprous disease of the head or the beard.

Leviticus 13:30 nlt

the priest must examine it. If he finds it is more than skin-deep and has fine yellow hair on it, the priest must pronounce the person ceremonially unclean. It is a scabby sore of the head or chin.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 30 Meaning

Leviticus 13:30 describes a specific diagnostic criterion given to the priest for determining ritual uncleanness associated with a scalp or beard affliction known as netheq, often translated as an "itch" or "scab." If, upon examination, the affected area appears to be deeper than the surrounding skin and exhibits thin, yellowish hair, the priest is to officially declare the person unclean. This condition is then identified as a form of tsara'at, specifically targeting the head or beard.

Leviticus 13 30 Context

Leviticus chapter 13 is dedicated entirely to the detailed regulations concerning the diagnosis and management of tsara'at, a broad term covering various skin diseases, not exclusively what is known today as Hansen's disease. The chapter outlines specific procedures for the priest, who acts as the primary health and ritual authority. His role is to examine, observe, isolate if necessary, and finally pronounce an individual either clean or unclean based on visible signs and changes over time.

Verse 30 focuses on a particular manifestation of tsara'at known as netheq, primarily affecting the head or beard. This immediate context highlights the meticulous nature of God's purity laws, underscoring the necessity for clear distinctions between the ritually pure and impure within the Israelite community. This meticulousness was crucial for maintaining the holiness of the camp, where God Himself dwelt, and for protecting the community from potential contamination, both physically and spiritually. Historically, these laws distinguished Israel from neighboring pagan cultures, whose medical and hygiene practices were often superstitious and less effective. God’s instructions were a direct, divinely given health code aimed at promoting well-being and order in a time before advanced medical understanding.

Leviticus 13 30 Word analysis

• Then the priest (וְרָאָה הַכֹּהֵן - v'ra'ah ha'kohen):

  • Priest (kohen): The ordained spiritual leader responsible for upholding and administering the laws of God. In this context, the priest serves as both a public health official and a judicial figure, uniquely positioned to make pronouncements about ritual purity.
  • Examine (ra'ah): Literally "to see" or "to observe." It implies careful, trained inspection and discernment. This is not a casual glance but a methodical evaluation required for an official ruling.

• shall examine the itch (אֶת־הַנֶּתֶק - et-ha'netheq):

  • Itch (netheq): A specific type of skin affliction mentioned in Leviticus, usually appearing on the head or beard. It denotes a scabby or flaking condition often accompanied by localized hair issues. It is a distinct but related manifestation of tsara'at.

• and behold, if its appearance (וְהִנֵּה מַרְאֵהוּ - v'hinneh mar'ehu):

  • Behold (hinneh): An interjection used to draw attention to something significant or to mark a crucial observation. Here, it highlights the critical diagnostic signs that follow.
  • Appearance (mar'eh): Refers to the visual characteristics, emphasizing that the priest's diagnosis is based purely on observed symptoms.

• is deeper than the skin (עָמֹק מִן־הָעוֹר - 'amoq min ha'or):

  • Deeper ('amoq): Indicates the lesion is not superficial but extends into the layers beneath the skin's surface. This depth signifies a more severe, entrenched condition, distinguishing it from a common irritation or fleeting rash. This is a primary diagnostic indicator for ritual uncleanness.

• and there is thin yellowish hair on it (וְשֵׂעָר צָהֹב דָּק בּוֹ - v'se'ar tsahov daq bo):

  • Thin (daq): Suggests weak, sparse, or damaged hair, unlike healthy, robust growth.
  • Yellowish (tsahov): A critical color indicator. In contrast to normal dark or white (Lev 13:3) hair, a distinctive yellow hue in the affected area points specifically to the severe form of netheq classified as unclean. This unusual coloration, combined with thinness, is a tell-tale sign of the advanced or incurable stage of the affliction within this specific context.

• then the priest shall pronounce him unclean (וְטִמֵּא אֹתוֹ הַכֹּהֵן - v'timme' oto ha'kohen):

  • Pronounce...unclean (timme'): The declarative act of the priest, which holds ritual, social, and spiritual weight. This declaration of tameh (unclean) resulted in the person's temporary separation from the community and the tabernacle. It is a ritual state, not necessarily a moral judgment.

• it is a scab (נֶתֶק הוּא - netheq hu'):

  • Scab (netheq): Repetition of the initial word for the condition. This reinforces the specific nature of the affliction being diagnosed and underscores that the prescribed symptoms definitively match the criteria for ritual uncleanness associated with this type of skin lesion.

• it is leprosy of the head or beard (צָרַעַת רֹאשׁ אֹו זָקָן הוּא - tsara'at ro'sh o zaqan hu'):

  • Leprosy (tsara'at): The overarching term for serious skin conditions that invoke ritual impurity in the Old Testament. This verse confirms that the identified netheq on the head or beard is indeed classified under this broader category, triggering the full implications of tsara'at for ritual segregation.
  • Head or beard (ro'sh o zaqan): Specifies the location of this particular tsara'at manifestation, highlighting the distinct diagnostic rules applicable to these areas, which are culturally significant for men's appearance and identity.

Leviticus 13 30 Bonus section

The Hebrew term tsara'at for "leprosy" is a unique diagnostic category established by God for ritual purposes, differing from modern medical definitions of Hansen's disease. The biblical context focuses on its outward signs and ritual implications rather than solely its contagious nature. The priest's role was not that of a physician attempting to cure, but an appointed arbiter discerning states of purity and impurity based on divine revelation. The detailed instructions regarding tsara'at highlight God's concern for community purity, both physical and spiritual, and served as object lessons for the Israelites regarding the seriousness of sin's defilement and the necessity of divine intervention for cleansing and restoration. These laws, while burdensome, served to impress upon the people the gravity of defilement and the sacredness of God's presence among them.

Leviticus 13 30 Commentary

Leviticus 13:30 exemplifies the profound attention to detail within God's laws, reflecting His perfect order and holiness. The verse establishes specific, observable criteria—depth of the lesion and the peculiar color and texture of hair—for a priest to definitively declare someone ritually unclean due to netheq of the head or beard. This meticulous diagnostic process served multiple purposes: it was a practical public health measure to limit the spread of potentially contagious diseases, but more significantly, it was a profound spiritual exercise. The priest's careful discernment of external physical manifestations served as a type for God's precise judgment of inward spiritual states.

The state of uncleanness mandated separation from the community and, crucially, from the tabernacle, where God’s presence dwelt. This separation underscored the incompatibility of impurity with God's perfect holiness. While these specific laws applied to the Old Covenant people and pointed towards a deeper spiritual reality, their underlying principles resonate in the New Testament. Just as the priest could declare an individual clean or unclean, ultimately, only Jesus Christ has the authority and power to cleanse humanity from the defilement of sin, a spiritual "leprosy" that separates us from God (Mark 1:40-42). Our sin is deeper than the skin, affecting the inner being. True spiritual purity and fellowship with a holy God require divine cleansing, a theme foreshadowed in the detailed regulations of Leviticus.