Leviticus 13 37

Leviticus 13:37 kjv

But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean.

Leviticus 13:37 nkjv

But if the scale appears to be at a standstill, and there is black hair grown up in it, the scale has healed. He is clean, and the priest shall pronounce him clean.

Leviticus 13:37 niv

If, however, the sore is unchanged so far as the priest can see, and if black hair has grown in it, the affected person is healed. They are clean, and the priest shall pronounce them clean.

Leviticus 13:37 esv

But if in his eyes the itch is unchanged and black hair has grown in it, the itch is healed and he is clean, and the priest shall pronounce him clean.

Leviticus 13:37 nlt

But if the color of the scabby sore does not change and black hair has grown on it, it has healed. The priest will then pronounce the person ceremonially clean.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 37 Meaning

Leviticus 13:37 describes a specific scenario in the detailed laws concerning ritual cleanness regarding skin afflictions, known as tsara'at. It outlines that if a particular scalp or beard condition, identified as "scurf," shows no deterioration and is instead accompanied by the growth of healthy, dark hair within the affected area, then this is a definitive sign of healing. In such a case, the afflicted person is considered ritually clean, and the priest, acting as the divinely appointed adjudicator, is to formally declare them clean, allowing for their full reintegration into the community.

Leviticus 13 37 Context

Leviticus chapter 13 is a lengthy and meticulous exposition of the laws concerning tsara'at (often translated "leprosy"), a broad category of serious and infectious skin afflictions or possibly mold/mildew in houses and garments, which rendered a person ritually impure. This uncleanness necessitated temporary isolation from the community and the sanctuary. The priest's role in this chapter, as highlighted in verse 37, is not that of a medical doctor treating the disease but as a divine adjudicator who, by observing specific signs according to God's detailed instructions, makes a legal and ritual determination of whether a person is "clean" or "unclean." This distinction was paramount for maintaining the holiness of the Israelite camp and community, as ritual impurity could contaminate sacred spaces and disrupt corporate worship. Historically, such conditions often led to social ostracism, and the clear guidelines provided in this chapter offered a structured, divine method for managing these circumstances, ensuring both public health (separation) and, significantly, a pathway back to community life once the individual was declared clean, emphasizing God's concern for the restoration and inclusion of the individual.

Leviticus 13 37 Word analysis

• But if: The Hebrew word for "if" (אִם, im) introduces a condition, signifying one possible outcome within a set of diagnostic criteria. It continues the diagnostic sequence presented in previous verses, guiding the priest through various possibilities.
• the scurf (נֶתֶק, neteq): This specific term refers to a scabby or scaling eruption, likely a non-ulcerous skin affliction of the scalp or beard. Unlike the more general tsara'at or other sores, neteq implies a distinct condition requiring precise identification.
• stays the same (כְּעֵינָיו, ke'einayv): Literally "as its eyes" or "in its appearance." This signifies that the visible manifestation of the scurf has not changed; it has neither spread nor intensified, indicating a stable, non-progressing state. This stability is crucial in the priestly diagnosis.
• and black hair (שֵׂעָר שָׁחֹר, se'ar shachor): "Hair" (שֵׂעָר, se'ar) is natural growth. "Black" (שָׁחֹר, shachor) signifies the natural, healthy pigment of hair, contrasting sharply with the white or yellow-white hair specified as a sign of uncleanness in other diagnostic criteria (Lev 13:3, 13:4, 13:30, 13:43). The presence of healthy-colored hair is a definitive positive sign.
• has grown in it (צָמַח בּוֹ, tsamach bo): "Grown" (צָמַח, tsamach) implies new, natural, and healthy physiological growth within the previously affected or suspect area. This active regrowth of normal hair strongly indicates that the pathological process has ceased and healthy tissue has returned.
• the scurf is healed (נִרְפָּא, nirpa): "Healed" (רָפָא, rapha) is in the Niphal stem (passive voice), meaning "it has been healed." This signifies an objective state of recovery, implying divine or natural restorative processes at work. The term highlights a return to health.
• he is clean (טָהוֹר הוּא, tahor hu): "Clean" (טָהוֹר, tahor) denotes ritual purity. This is the crucial legal status declared, permitting the individual to return to full participation in the community and cultic activities.
• and the priest shall pronounce him clean (וְטִהֲרוֹ הַכֹּהֵן, v'tiharo hakkohen): "Pronounce him clean" (טִהֲרוֹ, tiharo) is the Hipil stem, meaning "cause to be clean" or "declare clean." This is the priestly act of official ratification. The priest (כֹהֵן, kohen), God's designated minister, serves as the final arbiter of ritual status, confirming the visible signs of healing according to divine law.

Words-Group Analysis

• "But if the scurf stays the same and black hair has grown in it": This phrase sets the specific, precise conditions for cleanness. The "scurf staying the same" removes any concern about progression, while "black hair grown in it" confirms that the underlying tissue is healthy and functional. These are concrete, observable, and unmistakable signs, allowing for clear and objective judgment by the priest. This emphasizes God's desire for definite indicators for purity.
• "the scurf is healed; he is clean": This declares the dual consequence. The physical manifestation of "scurf is healed" (indicating a medical or natural recovery) directly leads to the ritual status of "he is clean." It shows the practical impact of healing—the individual's restoration to the community is based on a discernible physical change.
• "and the priest shall pronounce him clean": This underscores the indispensable role of the priest. Even with clear signs of healing, the individual cannot self-declare their cleanness. The priest's authoritative declaration is necessary for the individual to transition from isolation back into the community, symbolizing God's established order and the need for recognized authority in spiritual matters.

Leviticus 13 37 Bonus section

The detailed regulations in Leviticus concerning tsara'at not only addressed public health and hygiene but also carried profound theological and symbolic weight. Conditions like tsara'at often symbolized sin and its defiling effect, which isolates a person from God and His people (as sin separates one from God's presence). The meticulous examination, the period of isolation, and the eventual re-declaration of cleanness with specific rituals (as seen in chapter 14) provide a powerful object lesson. Just as an afflicted person was physically examined, separated, and then, upon God-given evidence of healing, was ritualistically purified and reintegrated, so too sin must be identified, acknowledged, confessed, and then dealt with through God's appointed means (ultimately Christ's sacrifice) to restore fellowship with God and His church. The priest's judgment in Lev 13:37 is a foreshadowing of the spiritual authority in the New Covenant to declare spiritual health based on inward regeneration evidenced by outward transformation (Rom 6:1-11, 2 Cor 5:17).

Leviticus 13 37 Commentary

Leviticus 13:37 provides specific diagnostic criteria for the recovery from a particular skin condition, the "scurf" (neteq), illustrating God's meticulous care in the laws of purity and defilement. The key elements for a declaration of cleanness are two-fold: the stability of the lesion (it "stays the same") and, crucially, the appearance of healthy, pigmented (black) hair within the affected area. This return of natural hair indicates vitality and recovery, differentiating it from diseased areas that would show discolored hair or no hair growth.

The verse highlights that healing is recognized by specific, observable physical signs. However, personal perception of healing is not enough; the authoritative declaration by the priest is indispensable. The priest acts as God's representative, not as a medical practitioner. Their function is to confirm the observable signs against the divine standards given in the Law, thus formally restoring the individual to their place in the clean community of Israel. This process ensured order, health, and purity within the camp, preventing defilement from impacting the sanctity of God's presence among His people. It also demonstrated the compassionate provision for restoration and reintegration for those who were afflicted. This entire system prefigures the ultimate cleanness and restoration found in Christ, where spiritual healing (salvation) leads to acceptance and communion with God.