Leviticus 13 40

Leviticus 13:40 kjv

And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean.

Leviticus 13:40 nkjv

"As for the man whose hair has fallen from his head, he is bald, but he is clean.

Leviticus 13:40 niv

"A man who has lost his hair and is bald is clean.

Leviticus 13:40 esv

"If a man's hair falls out from his head, he is bald; he is clean.

Leviticus 13:40 nlt

"If a man loses his hair and his head becomes bald, he is still ceremonially clean.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 40 Meaning

Leviticus 13:40 declares that if a man experiences natural hair loss on his head, whether it be from the back or the front, resulting in baldness, he is still considered ritually clean. This verse clarifies that ordinary baldness is not a sign of tsara'at (a severe skin affliction or "leprosy") and therefore does not make an individual ceremonially unclean or require any priestly action for purification.

Leviticus 13 40 Context

Leviticus Chapter 13 primarily details the comprehensive laws for identifying and dealing with tsara'at, a broad category of ritual skin defilement that includes more than what modern medicine calls leprosy. The chapter describes various manifestations on the skin, scalp, beard, and even on garments and houses. The specific role of the priest is crucial: they are designated by God to meticulously examine and discern between actual tsara'at and common, non-contagious skin conditions or natural bodily processes. The underlying principle is to protect the community's ritual purity and prevent the spread of defilement to the tabernacle. Verse 40 specifically addresses the common phenomenon of male pattern baldness, explicitly distinguishing it from tsara'at. Historically, this clarification was vital to prevent those with natural baldness from being unfairly stigmatized, ostracized, or deemed unclean within Israelite society. It underscores the precision and rationality of God’s law, countering any potential superstitious belief that all bodily anomalies equate to sin or divine judgment.

Leviticus 13 40 Word analysis

• And a man (וְאִישׁ - v’ish): Literally "and a man," signifying that this ruling applies universally to any male Israelite. It sets the scope of the instruction as a general statute.
• whose hair falls from his head (אִישׁ כִּי יִפָּתֵן שְׂעַר רֹאשׁוֹ - ish ki yipaten se'ar rosho):
  • hair (שְׂעַר - se'ar): General term for hair.
  • falls (יִפָּתֵן - yipaten - related to נָתַךְ nathach to pour out, melt; or יִפֹּל - yipol which means "to fall," if there is a variant reading or deeper etymological connection suggested, though standard translations often point to 'falls off'). Here the meaning implies shedding. This describes the natural process of balding.
  • head (רֹאשׁ - rosh): Refers specifically to the crown or upper part of the head, indicating typical male baldness.
• he is bald (קֵרֵחַ הוּא - qerach hu):
  • bald (קֵרֵחַ - qerach): Specifically describes a man whose baldness is on the back or crown of the head. It's a physical description, not a judgment of uncleanliness.
• and he is clean (טָהוֹר הוּא - tahor hu):
  • clean (טָהוֹר - tahor): This is a declarative term, meaning ritually pure, fit for worship, and without ritual defilement. This is the crucial legal and spiritual pronouncement of the verse. It confirms he is not affected by tsara'at.
• And if his hair falls off his face (וְאִם־פְּאַת פָּנָיו יִדַּל מִשְּׂעָרוֹ - ve'im pe'at panav yiddal misse'aro):
  • face (פְּאַת פָּנָיו - pe'at panav): Lit. "the corner/side of his face," but in this context, refers to the front of the head or the hairline, emphasizing baldness at the forehead.
  • falls off (יִדַּל - yiddal): From dalal, meaning "to hang loosely" or "to be diminished," conveying the idea of thinning or falling hair.
• he is bald (גִּבֵּחַ הוּא - gibbe'ach hu):
  • bald (גִּבֵּחַ - gibbe'ach): Refers to a person bald on the front of the head or the forehead.
• he is clean (טָהוֹר הוּא - tahor hu): The affirmation of ritual cleanness is repeated for clarity and emphasis, covering both common forms of natural baldness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "whose hair falls from his head... he is bald... and he is clean": This sequence of statements immediately clarifies that the common biological process of balding is not a spiritual or ritual concern. It’s a direct declaration of non-affliction.
• "and if his hair falls off his face, he is bald... he is clean": The inclusion of a second type of baldness (frontal vs. crown) demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the law. God's instruction anticipates both scenarios to prevent ambiguity and ensure fairness. The repetition of "he is clean" solidifies the non-contaminating nature of baldness, offering double reassurance. This careful distinction showcases divine precision in differentiating between natural conditions and ritual impurities that would isolate a person from the community and the Tabernacle.

Leviticus 13 40 Bonus section

The careful discernment shown in Leviticus 13:40 between natural occurrences and actual "uncleanness" laid a foundation for the Israelites to understand that God’s focus was not merely on superficial imperfections but on the true source of defilement, which often manifested inwardly before outward signs. This anticipates New Testament themes that emphasize the heart’s condition over outward appearances (Mk 7:20-23) and calls believers to internal purity, cleansed not by ceremonial rites but by faith in Christ's atoning work (Tit 2:14). While this specific verse deals with physical purity, the underlying principle—God’s meticulous care, precision, and rational justice—informs a broader understanding of His righteous character and His desire for His people's well-being.

Leviticus 13 40 Commentary

Leviticus 13:40 stands out in the lengthy discussion of tsara'at as a crucial point of distinction. While the preceding verses describe various severe skin afflictions that render a person ritually unclean, this verse specifically identifies natural male baldness, whether on the crown or forehead, as not being such an affliction. This demonstrates the detailed and discerning nature of God's laws, which are not based on superficial appearances or superstitions but on precise criteria for purity and defilement.

The declaration "he is clean" provides immediate reassurance, preventing unnecessary anxiety, social ostracism, or spiritual disqualification for men experiencing common hair loss. The priest, acting as God's representative, was equipped with the necessary wisdom to differentiate natural physiological conditions from actual ritual impurities. This distinction underscores God's compassion and fairness toward His people, ensuring that common human traits do not become a cause for ritual isolation. It also emphasizes the rational, not arbitrary, foundation of the Mosaic Law. This law implicitly challenges any pagan notions that associated all physical deformities or conditions with divine curses or malevolent spirits, by affirming that God’s standard for purity is discerning and just.