Leviticus 13 33

Leviticus 13:33 kjv

He shall be shaven, but the scall shall he not shave; and the priest shall shut up him that hath the scall seven days more:

Leviticus 13:33 nkjv

he shall shave himself, but the scale he shall not shave. And the priest shall isolate the one who has the scale another seven days.

Leviticus 13:33 niv

then the man or woman must shave themselves, except for the affected area, and the priest is to keep them isolated another seven days.

Leviticus 13:33 esv

then he shall shave himself, but the itch he shall not shave; and the priest shall shut up the person with the itching disease for another seven days.

Leviticus 13:33 nlt

the person must shave off all hair except the hair on the affected area. Then the priest must quarantine the person for another seven days.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 33 Meaning

Leviticus 13:33 outlines a specific stage in the examination and confinement process for a person suspected of having tzara'at (often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing various serious skin afflictions). If, after an initial seven-day confinement, the nega' (mark or affliction) has not spread, the priest instructs the individual to shave off all their hair, symbolizing a profound act of purification, yet they must specifically not shave the nega itself. Following this partial shaving, the priest then confines the person for an additional seven-day period for further observation and evaluation. This indicates a highly meticulous, multi-stage diagnostic process for such severe impurity.

Leviticus 13 33 Context

Leviticus chapter 13 is part of a larger section (chapters 11-15) detailing the laws of ritual purity and impurity, focusing heavily on what makes a person, object, or place unclean before the Holy God of Israel. Specifically, chapter 13 deals with tzara'at, a serious and highly contagious (though not solely in the modern medical sense) skin condition that carried immense ritual impurity. The entire chapter outlines the intricate diagnostic procedures and judgments made exclusively by the Aaronic priests. This verse, 13:33, occurs within the detailed protocol for suspected cases of tzara'at on the head or beard. After an initial seven-day isolation (Lev 13:29-32) where the mark has not changed or spread, this verse introduces the next crucial step. The strict process underscores the Israelite understanding of holiness, requiring separation from anything that could defile the camp, thus reflecting God's own holiness and distinction from other nations.

Leviticus 13 33 Word analysis

• Then he shall shave himself, (וְהִתְגַּלָּח֮ – v'hitgallach): From the Hebrew root galakh (גלח), meaning "to shave completely, cut off hair." The use of the Hithpael stem ("himself") suggests a self-inflicted action, an act the person performs. This complete shaving of the body (excluding the nega') was a powerful symbol of purification and renewal in ancient Israel. It represented casting off all vestiges of potential contamination and initiating a clean slate. In other contexts, shaving could be a sign of mourning (Job 1:20), humiliation (2 Sam 10:4-5), or even Nazarite dedication (Num 6:9-19). Here, it signifies a rigorous act of self-purification and readiness for a renewed evaluation.
• but the affected area (וְאֶת־הַנֶּגַע֮ – v'et-hannega): Nega' (נגע) literally means "stroke, plague, mark, affliction." It is not just an 'area' but the specific mark of the skin affliction under examination. The article ha- ('the') emphasizes it is the specific identified mark. This term carries strong theological connotations of a divinely sent affliction, distinguishing it from common rashes.
• he shall not shave. (לֹ֥א יְגַלֵּֽחַ׃ – lo y'gallayach): This explicit prohibition highlights the significance of the nega'. Leaving it unshaved ensures its clear visibility for the priest's continued observation. Shaving it might conceal its true nature or developmental progress, thereby hindering an accurate diagnosis or irritating it further. It emphasizes that while the body is purified, the core issue remains isolated and under scrutiny.
• And the priest (וְהִסְגִּיר֩ – v'hisgir): From the verb sagar (סגר), meaning "to shut up, close in, confine." The subject here is implied "the priest." The priest, HaKohen, is the sole authority designated by God to make these judgments (Lev 13:2, Deut 24:8). This highlights his pivotal role as the intermediary between God's holiness and Israel's well-being.
• shall confine him (אֶת־הַנֶּ֧גַע וְהַכֹּהֵ֛ן – et-hannega): This clause continues the action initiated by the priest. This confinement, sagar, is not a punishment but a protective and diagnostic measure. It separates the potentially unclean person from the holy community to prevent defilement, demonstrating God's meticulous concern for the health and spiritual purity of His people.
• for seven more days. (שִׁבְעַת יָמִים טְנִ֖ים – shiv'at yamim sheniyoth): "Seven days secondary" or "seven additional days." The number seven often signifies completion, perfection, or a divine ordering in the Bible (Gen 2:2-3, Ex 20:8-11). This additional week of confinement underscores the seriousness of tzara'at and the need for prolonged, careful observation before a definitive declaration of clean or unclean can be made. It indicates the tzara'at case is not yet resolved, even after the first period and ritual.

Leviticus 13 33 Bonus section

The specific details regarding tzara'at in Leviticus 13 highlight a critical interplay between the physical and the spiritual within the Old Covenant. While tzara'at manifested physically, its diagnosis and management were solely within the purview of the priests, emphasizing a theological rather than purely medical concern. The intricate procedures were designed to maintain the purity of the Israelite community, vital for the indwelling presence of YHWH. The severe consequences of tzara'at (exclusion from the camp, lengthy ritual processes) teach about the abhorrent nature of defilement in the sight of a Holy God. This points forward to the absolute necessity of spiritual purification from sin, which truly separates humanity from God. Just as the physical nega' required meticulous priestly examination and often confinement, so too does sin require the High Priestly work of Christ for true and eternal cleansing.

Leviticus 13 33 Commentary

Leviticus 13:33 is a key part of the comprehensive protocol for diagnosing tzara'at, underscoring God's meticulous attention to purity in the Israelite camp. The requirement to shave the entire body except for the nega' is a highly symbolic act. The act of shaving off hair signifies a complete divestment of one's former state and an eager anticipation of cleansing and renewal. It prepares the individual physically for the next phase of evaluation, making any potential changes in the skin condition easier for the priest to discern. The specific exclusion of the afflicted area from shaving is crucial, allowing for unhindered observation and preventing irritation that might complicate the diagnosis.

The second seven-day confinement ordered by the priest (after a previous seven days) reflects the profound seriousness of tzara'at. It demonstrates that tzara'at was not a condition to be taken lightly; even a perceived healing after the initial observation required further, stringent monitoring. The repetition of "seven days" (a number signifying divine completeness and perfection) emphasizes the exhaustive nature of the priestly examination. This meticulous process reveals God's commitment to protecting the sanctity of His dwelling among His people by maintaining strict boundaries against defilement, whether physical, ritual, or ultimately, spiritual. These laws, while hygienic, pointed to the spiritual purity God desired for His people, foreshadowing the need for complete spiritual cleansing that only Christ could provide.