Leviticus 13 39

Leviticus 13:39 kjv

Then the priest shall look: and, behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh be darkish white; it is a freckled spot that groweth in the skin; he is clean.

Leviticus 13:39 nkjv

then the priest shall look; and indeed if the bright spots on the skin of the body are dull white, it is a white spot that grows on the skin. He is clean.

Leviticus 13:39 niv

the priest is to examine them, and if the spots are dull white, it is a harmless rash that has broken out on the skin; they are clean.

Leviticus 13:39 esv

the priest shall look, and if the spots on the skin of the body are of a dull white, it is leukoderma that has broken out in the skin; he is clean.

Leviticus 13:39 nlt

the priest must examine the affected area. If he finds that the shiny patches are only pale white, this is a harmless skin rash, and the person is ceremonially clean.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 39 Meaning

Leviticus 13:39 clarifies that if a specific type of white skin lesion appears dull rather than vibrant, it is identified as a harmless rash, likely a form of eczema or tinea. Unlike the more severe and contagious skin afflictions like tsara'at, this condition does not render the individual ritually unclean, allowing them to remain integrated within the community and participate in worship. The verse highlights the precision required in priestly discernment under God's law.

Leviticus 13 39 Context

Leviticus 13 provides detailed instructions for priests regarding the examination and diagnosis of various skin conditions, with a primary focus on tsara'at, a serious and contagious affliction. The overarching purpose of these laws was to maintain the ritual purity and physical health of the Israelite community, distinguishing between genuinely infectious diseases that required isolation and benign conditions that did not. Chapter 13 begins with general principles and then outlines specific cases for examination. Verse 39 fits into a series of cases where different symptoms (color, hair, spread) lead to distinct diagnoses, allowing for accurate judgment of a person's status – either ritually unclean and requiring isolation, or ritually clean and allowed to remain in the camp. This precise classification prevented unnecessary ostracism and highlighted God's meticulous care for His people's well-being and their participation in communal worship. It also served as a polemic against the arbitrary declarations of impurity common in surrounding cultures, instead basing cleanness on divine revelation.

Leviticus 13 39 Word analysis

• If the bright spot (בּהרת, baheret): This term, appearing multiple times in Leviticus 13 (e.g., v. 2, 4), generally refers to a light-colored or white lesion on the skin. In other contexts of this chapter, baheret is a symptom that could indicate tsara'at (leprosy). Here, it is the initial observation, setting up a distinction.
• on the skin of his body: Emphasizes that this applies to cutaneous manifestations, underscoring the physical nature of the laws.
• is a dull white (כּהה, kehah): This is the crucial distinguishing characteristic. Kehah means "dim," "faint," or "obscure." It explicitly contrasts with the "shining" or "glowing" white associated with tsara'at elsewhere in the chapter (e.g., v. 4, "brighter than the skin"). This faintness or dullness of color is the key diagnostic feature for the priest, indicating non-malignancy.
• it is tinea (סַפַּחַת, sappachath): This word refers to a specific type of superficial skin eruption, likely a non-contagious rash such as ringworm, eczema, or some form of superficial fungal infection. The diagnosis specifies the benign nature.
• an eruption that has broken out (פָּרַח, parah): The verb parah means "to bud," "to blossom," or "to break out." Here, it describes the sudden appearance of the rash, but unlike spreading tsara'at, the context implies it remains superficial and does not invade deeper tissues.
• on the skin: Reiteration of the location, ensuring clarity that it's a skin surface issue.
• He is clean (טָהוֹר הוּא, tahor hu’): This declaration is the pivotal outcome. Tahor signifies ritual purity, allowing the individual full participation in Israelite society, temple worship, and family life. This immediately releases them from any potential isolation.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "bright spot...dull white": The immediate juxtaposition highlights the diagnostic challenge and the detailed criteria God provided. A white spot generally causes concern in this chapter, but the adjective "dull" provides the critical qualification that differentiates a harmless condition from one that renders unclean. This underscores the necessity of precise observation and distinguishing between similar-appearing conditions.
• "it is tinea...He is clean": This phrase directly links a specific, benign medical diagnosis with a clear declaration of ritual purity. It demonstrates that not all skin conditions resulted in ritual uncleanness and showcases God's provision for clarity and reassurance, preventing false alarms and unnecessary social alienation.

Leviticus 13 39 Bonus section

The highly detailed instructions concerning skin diseases in Leviticus 13-14 highlight a profound theological truth: God cares about His people's physical health as much as their spiritual condition. While skin diseases like tsara'at were seen to metaphorically represent the destructive and isolating nature of sin, God’s meticulous discernment in verses like 13:39 ensured that not every physical blemish was interpreted as a sign of grave spiritual fault or impurity. This reveals a balance of justice and mercy in the divine law. Furthermore, the extensive examination process and the necessity of priestly involvement underscore that defining purity was not left to human discretion or self-diagnosis, but to a divinely ordained system and authoritative figures, thereby ensuring consistency and adherence to God's standards. This foreshadows the ultimate authority of Christ to declare a person clean, not merely ceremonially, but spiritually, through His atonement and purifying work, offering a definitive solution beyond temporary ceremonial cleansing.

Leviticus 13 39 Commentary

Leviticus 13:39 offers a moment of relief within the extensive and often alarming descriptions of tsara'at. After verses detailing terrifying skin diseases and their isolating consequences, this verse describes a common, benign skin condition and decisively declares the affected individual "clean." This particular instruction showcases several key theological and practical insights. First, it underscores God's meticulous concern not only for the ritual purity of His people but also for their social and emotional well-being. By providing clear diagnostic criteria, God prevents undue panic and arbitrary accusations of impurity, safeguarding individuals from unnecessary social ostracism. Second, it highlights the importance of trained priestly discernment. The priest's role was not just to ritualistically cleanse but to expertly apply divine law to differentiate between conditions, emphasizing wisdom and precise judgment over superficial fear. The distinction between a "dull white" spot and a "bright white" one might seem subtle, yet it bore immense significance for the individual's life within the community. This attention to detail speaks to God's desire for order, justice, and mercy in the community, reflecting a divine perspective that avoids imposing burdens unnecessarily and allows people to continue participating in their sacred community when truly clean.