Leviticus 13 43

Leviticus 13:43 kjv

Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;

Leviticus 13:43 nkjv

Then the priest shall examine it; and indeed if the swelling of the sore is reddish-white on his bald head or on his bald forehead, as the appearance of leprosy on the skin of the body,

Leviticus 13:43 niv

The priest is to examine him, and if the swollen sore on his head or forehead is reddish-white like a defiling skin disease,

Leviticus 13:43 esv

Then the priest shall examine him, and if the diseased swelling is reddish-white on his bald head or on his bald forehead, like the appearance of leprous disease in the skin of the body,

Leviticus 13:43 nlt

The priest must examine him, and if he finds swelling around the reddish white sore anywhere on the man's head and it looks like a skin disease,

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 43 Meaning

Leviticus 13:43 details a specific diagnostic criterion for ritual impurity (known as tzara'at, often translated "leprosy") found on a bald area of the head or forehead. It states that if a reddish-white, elevated sore appears on a person's bald scalp or forehead, mirroring the visual characteristics of tzara'at elsewhere on the body, the examining priest is to declare that person ritually unclean. This verse emphasizes the objective visual assessment by the priest, providing clear instructions for diagnosis even in specific bodily locations like the head.

Leviticus 13 43 Context

Leviticus chapter 13 is primarily dedicated to the intricate laws concerning tzara'at, a broad term referring to various serious skin conditions, often translated "leprosy" but distinct from modern Hansen's disease. This affliction resulted in severe ritual impurity, requiring separation from the Israelite community. The chapter establishes detailed criteria for identifying and diagnosing these conditions by the priest, who functioned as a medical and ritual authority. Verses 42-44 specifically address tzara'at on bald areas of the head or forehead, distinguishing it from general hair loss or minor blemishes. The focus throughout the chapter is on objective physical manifestations that allowed the priest to declare a person ritually unclean or clean, thus maintaining the camp's holiness. Historically, these laws enforced hygiene, contained disease, and underscored Israel's distinctive separation as a holy people before God. They also subtly provided a polemic against pagan practices which might have attributed such afflictions to arbitrary demonic forces; instead, Israel's God provided clear, knowable criteria for management.

Leviticus 13 43 Word analysis

• Then the priest (וְרָאָה הַכֹּהֵן - ve-ra'ah ha-kohen):

  • "Then" (וְ - ve): Conjunction, connecting this instruction to previous diagnostic criteria. It continues the prescriptive nature of the law.
  • "The priest" (הַכֹּהֵן - ha-kohen): Refers to a son of Aaron, divinely appointed as a mediator and custodian of the Law. His role here is authoritative: he is the one permitted and equipped to inspect and render judgment in matters of ritual purity, making a crucial declaration (clean/unclean) with binding effect on the community. This underscores the theological concept of delegated authority.

• shall examine him (וְרָאָה בוֹ - ve-ra'ah bo):

  • "examine" (וְרָאָה - ve-ra'ah): Hebrew verb from "ra'ah" (ראה), meaning "to see," "to look at," but in this legal and priestly context, it carries the force of a careful, authoritative inspection or scrutiny for diagnosis. It's not a casual glance but a deliberate assessment to make a pronouncement.

• and indeed, if the swelling of the sore (וְהִנֵּה נְגַע־הַנֶּגַע - ve-hinneh negʻa-ha-negaʻ):

  • "and indeed" (וְהִנֵּה - ve-hinneh): An interjection expressing attention, surprise, or emphasizing immediacy and certainty ("behold!," "lo!," "and if"). Here, it calls for close observation and confirms the definitive nature of the finding.
  • "the swelling" (שְׂאֵת - se'eth): From "nasa" (נשׂא - to lift), implying an elevation, a raised spot, or prominence on the skin. It denotes a visible bulge or lump. This characteristic is a key diagnostic sign for tzara'at.
  • "of the sore" (נֶגַע - negaʻ): From "nagaʻ" (נגע - to touch, strike). This is a comprehensive term for an affliction, stroke, or plague. In Leviticus 13, it specifically denotes a divinely-sent skin manifestation or mark indicating ritual impurity. It's not merely any skin condition but one requiring specific priestly diagnosis.

• is reddish-white (אֲדַמְדָּם לָבָן - admaddam lavan):

  • "reddish-white" (אֲדַמְדָּם לָבָן - admaddam lavan): This is a critical color description. "Admamdam" is a diminutive or intensive form of "adom" (red), meaning "reddish." "Lavan" (לבן) means "white." The combination indicates a pale, whitish hue with a reddish tinge or overlay. This precise coloration was a specific symptom of an active or particularly severe form of tzara'at, signaling a spreading or inflammatory condition rather than a simple benign white spot or old scar.

• on his bald head or on his bald forehead (בְּקָרַחְתּוֹ אוֹ בְגַבַּחְתּוֹ - be-karachto o be-gabbachto):

  • "on his bald head" (בְּקָרַחְתּוֹ - be-karachto): "Karachath" (קרחת) means bald spot or baldness on the crown of the head. It refers to the upper part of the skull.
  • "or on his bald forehead" (אוֹ בְגַבַּחְתּוֹ - o be-gabbachto): "Gabbachath" (גבחת) refers to baldness specifically on the forehead or front of the head. These terms specify that the disease can manifest even on parts of the body not covered by hair, which might otherwise be mistaken for simple scalp conditions or aging. It confirms that all visible areas of the body are subject to these purity laws.

• as the appearance of leprosy (כְּמַרְאֵה צָרַעַת - ke-mar'eh tzara'at):

  • "as the appearance" (כְּמַרְאֵה - ke-mar'eh): "Ke-" (like) + "mar'eh" (מראה - appearance, sight, vision). This signifies a visual resemblance or similarity to established diagnostic appearances. The priest compares the specific case to the known characteristics of tzara'at.
  • "of leprosy" (צָרַעַת - tzara'at): This key Hebrew term designates the skin affliction that renders one ritually unclean. It's not identical to modern Hansen's disease but refers to a broader category of divinely-inflicted (or permitted) skin conditions that profoundly impacted an individual's ritual standing within the Israelite community, requiring isolation.

• in the skin of the body (בְּעוֹר הַבָּשָׂר - be-or ha-basar):

  • "in the skin of the body" (בְּעוֹר הַבָּשָׂר - be-or ha-basar): Lit. "in the skin of the flesh." This provides a reference standard. The "appearance of tzara'at" mentioned here refers to the characteristic look of the disease when it manifests on other parts of the body, which have already been detailed in earlier verses of Leviticus 13. It confirms that the standard criteria for diagnosis apply universally across the body.

Leviticus 13 43 Bonus section

The precise diagnosis criteria for tzara'at outlined in Leviticus 13, including this verse, reveal several layers of theological and practical significance:

• Public Health: The meticulous instructions, though divinely given, inherently served as practical guidelines for preventing the spread of contagious diseases, enforcing early detection, isolation, and re-integration based on observable remission.
• Symbolic of Sin: While tzara'at was not always a direct consequence of sin (e.g., Job), its characteristics (festering, progressive, disfiguring, separating) often served as a potent symbol for the insidious, defiling nature of sin. The priest's diagnosis and the subsequent isolation visually communicated the severing of relationship caused by impurity or spiritual transgression. The healing and re-integration rites in Leviticus 14 likewise provided a vivid illustration of repentance, cleansing, and restoration.
• Priestly Authority: The entire tzara'at diagnostic process solidified the priest's essential role in Israelite society. They were not merely offering sacrifices; they were administrators of God's Law, adjudicators in matters of daily life, and guardians of communal purity. This divinely instituted role provided a structured system for maintaining order and holiness.
• The Uniqueness of Tzara'at: Biblical tzara'at could appear on skin, garments, and even houses. This breadth indicates it was more than just a medical ailment; it was a phenomenon tied to ritual defilement and, at times, directly linked to divine displeasure or warning (as seen with Miriam or Gehazi). The appearance of "reddish-white" indicated an active, problematic stage that had the "appearance of leprosy in the skin of the body," linking it back to the established forms of the affliction described earlier in the chapter.

Leviticus 13 43 Commentary

Leviticus 13:43 acts as a precise directive for priests, illustrating the meticulous nature of God's laws concerning ritual purity and health in ancient Israel. The verse zeroes in on a particular manifestation of tzara'at—a reddish-white, elevated sore—appearing on bald sections of the head. This specificity highlights that God’s instructions left little room for subjective interpretation; the diagnosis rested on clear, observable criteria. The priest, acting not merely as a physician but as a spiritual guardian of the community, was required to discern true tzara'at from benign conditions, protecting both the affected individual and the sanctity of the Israelite camp.

This focus on the bald head emphasizes that no part of the human body, however prominent or seemingly immune, was beyond the reach of the laws of purity. Tzara'at was not simply a physical illness; it conveyed ritual defilement, requiring temporary expulsion from the community—a stark visual metaphor for the isolating effects of sin and unholiness on God's people. By specifying such details, the Law reinforced God's holiness and His expectation that His people reflect that holiness, both inwardly and outwardly, maintaining purity within the consecrated community.