Leviticus 13 32

Leviticus 13:32 kjv

And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the plague: and, behold, if the scall spread not, and there be in it no yellow hair, and the scall be not in sight deeper than the skin;

Leviticus 13:32 nkjv

And on the seventh day the priest shall examine the sore; and indeed if the scale has not spread, and there is no yellow hair in it, and the scale does not appear deeper than the skin,

Leviticus 13:32 niv

On the seventh day the priest is to examine the sore, and if it has not spread and there is no yellow hair in it and it does not appear to be more than skin deep,

Leviticus 13:32 esv

and on the seventh day the priest shall examine the disease. If the itch has not spread, and there is in it no yellow hair, and the itch appears to be no deeper than the skin,

Leviticus 13:32 nlt

On the seventh day the priest must examine the sore again. If he finds that the scabby sore has not spread, and there is no yellow hair on it, and it appears to be only skin-deep,

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 32 Meaning

Leviticus 13:32 describes specific favorable diagnostic conditions for a head or beard "scall" (an itchy, diseased spot), known as netheq. It specifies that if the spot does not spread, if its hairs have not turned yellowish, and if the spot is not visibly deeper than the surrounding skin, it indicates a less severe, potentially non-contagious condition that is not the major ceremonial uncleanness of tzara'at. This provides a crucial part of the detailed instructions for the priests to determine the clean or unclean status of an individual, allowing for potential cleansing and re-integration into the community.

Leviticus 13 32 Context

Leviticus chapter 13 meticulously details the diagnostic procedures for various skin diseases, primarily tzara'at (often translated "leprosy," but encompassing a range of severe skin conditions) and related afflictions that rendered individuals ceremonially unclean. This chapter highlights the critical role of the priest, acting as a divine diagnostician and public health official, responsible for declaring someone clean or unclean according to God's precise laws. The tzara'at of the head or beard, specifically termed netheq (often "scall" or "itchy spot"), is addressed from verses 29 to 37.

Verse 32 provides the conditions under which the netheq is considered less severe and potentially not a cause for a full declaration of uncleanness after an initial seven-day isolation period (following v. 31). This nuanced examination prevented unnecessary exclusion from the community, demonstrating God's compassion even within the stringent purity laws designed to maintain the holiness of the Israelite camp and prevent the spread of serious conditions. These laws served not only public health but also reinforced spiritual principles of purity and the consequences of sin, implicitly contrasting God's orderly system with potentially chaotic or superstitious health practices of surrounding nations.

Leviticus 13 32 Word analysis

• But if: This conditional phrase (wə-'im) introduces a specific scenario within the broader diagnostic process for the head scall, indicating an alternative outcome to the immediate declaration of uncleanness.
• the itchy spot / the scall: The Hebrew term is netheq (נֶתֶק). This refers specifically to a distinct type of skin lesion primarily affecting the head or beard, characterized by thinning or falling hair. It signifies a "plucked out" or separated appearance. While related to tzara'at (ṣāraʿat), netheq has its own specific diagnostic criteria within the Law, showing the Law's meticulous categorizations.
• spreads no further: The Hebrew phrase is lo yissa' (לֹא יִשָּׂא), literally meaning "it does not lift itself up" or "it does not grow/expand." This is a crucial diagnostic indicator: the absence of growth or progression in the lesion signifies a more favorable condition, differentiating it from a truly virulent or widespread infection. Spiritually, this can be paralleled with the spread of sin if left unchecked (James 1:15, Romans 5:12).
• and there be in it no yellow hair: The Hebrew word for "yellow" is ṣāhōbh (צָהֹב), often described as "reddish-yellow" or "pale yellow." The presence of yellow, thin, or diseased-looking hair within the lesion was a significant negative indicator (Lev 13:30), signaling a deeper, more active infection characteristic of ceremonial uncleanness. Its absence, as specified here, is a positive sign. This particular color criterion underlines the priest's visual role in minute observation.
• and the itchy spot be not deeper than the skin: The Hebrew phrase for "not deeper than the skin" ('ênen-qomeqāh mi-k'tôr 'ôrhāh) refers to the lesion being superficial, not having penetrated the deeper layers of the skin. "Appearance of its skin" (k'tôr 'ôrhāh) implies that the lesion remains on the surface and does not appear to have sunken in or become inflamed beneath the visible layer. This signifies a benign, superficial condition. This physical depth can symbolize spiritual superficiality versus deep-seated spiritual corruption.

Words-Group analysis:

• "spreads no further, and...no yellow hair, and...no deeper than the skin": These three concurrent conditions form a precise diagnostic triad. Their collective absence signifies that the netheq is not indicative of the serious, community-separating tzara'at. This structured observation method showcases the Law's emphasis on empirical evidence rather than superstition, guided by divine wisdom. The meticulous detail required for a correct priestly judgment underscores God's commitment to righteousness and purity, impacting both physical health and the spiritual well-being of the Israelite community.

Leviticus 13 32 Bonus section

• The meticulous diagnostic criteria throughout Leviticus 13 for tzara'at and related conditions emphasize God's precision and holiness. They illustrate a divinely instituted public health and religious system, vastly superior to the arbitrary or superstitious practices common in the ancient world. The specific details, like the color of hair or depth of a lesion, highlight a proto-scientific observation method for classification, driven by divine instruction.
• Though often translated "leprosy," the Hebrew tzara'at (and thus netheq within that broader category) covered a range of dermatological conditions, not exclusively Hansen's disease as we know it today. The true identification of tzara'at was primarily based on the precise symptoms outlined in Scripture, diagnosed and confirmed by the priest, rather than a modern medical classification.
• The probationary period mentioned elsewhere in Leviticus 13 (e.g., vv. 5, 21, 26) is implicitly relevant here. Verse 32 would typically be part of a re-examination after an initial waiting period, demonstrating patience and continued observation as part of the discernment process. This process prevented hasty judgments and allowed time for natural healing or disease progression to become clear, leading to a just declaration of clean or unclean.

Leviticus 13 32 Commentary

Leviticus 13:32 presents three specific, observable criteria for the "scall" (netheq) on the head or beard, which, when met, lead to a favorable assessment by the priest. These conditions—the lesion not spreading, the absence of yellow hair within it, and its superficial depth—were essential for discerning whether the condition was a benign ailment or the severe ceremonial uncleanness requiring separation from the camp. This meticulous diagnostic protocol reflects God's ordered nature and His detailed provision for His people's well-being, both physically and spiritually. It emphasizes the importance of careful observation and discernment by those in authority (the priests), distinguishing minor afflictions from those requiring significant separation. The overall aim was the purity of the individual and the holiness of the community, ultimately pointing to the need for God's cleansing and restoration.