Leviticus 13 44

Leviticus 13:44 kjv

He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head.

Leviticus 13:44 nkjv

he is a leprous man. He is unclean. The priest shall surely pronounce him unclean; his sore is on his head.

Leviticus 13:44 niv

the man is diseased and is unclean. The priest shall pronounce him unclean because of the sore on his head.

Leviticus 13:44 esv

he is a leprous man, he is unclean. The priest must pronounce him unclean; his disease is on his head.

Leviticus 13:44 nlt

the man is indeed infected with a skin disease and is unclean. The priest must pronounce him ceremonially unclean because of the sore on his head.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 44 Meaning

Leviticus 13:44 definitively declares a person's state of severe ritual impurity due to the manifestation of tsara'at, a serious skin affliction. It establishes the absolute nature of this defilement and emphasizes the definitive role of the priest in pronouncing this verdict, signifying the visible and undeniable presence of the disease upon the individual.

Leviticus 13 44 Context

Leviticus Chapter 13 is dedicated to detailing the diagnostic procedures for various skin conditions, collectively referred to as tsara'at (often translated "leprosy"), and other bodily affections, including mold on clothing and houses. The primary concern is not medical public health but ritual purity within the Israelite community and before God. This chapter falls within the broader Holiness Code (Lev 11-27), which outlines God's expectations for Israel's conduct and separation from pagan practices. The priestly role, particularly that of Aaron and his descendants, is central; they are divinely appointed to distinguish between the clean and the unclean, thereby upholding the sanctity of the camp where God's presence dwelt. Leviticus 13:44 serves as a conclusive verdict after initial examinations, leaving no doubt about the severity and established state of the tsara'at, and the resulting ritual defilement.

Leviticus 13 44 Word analysis

• he is (Hebrew: hu') - A declarative pronouncement, establishing an undeniable and definite state of being. It signifies a settled condition rather than a temporary observation.

• a leprous man (Hebrew: 'ish tsarua') - The term tsarua' (from tsara') refers to the severe skin affliction, tsara'at. While often translated "leprosy," it encompassed a range of conditions, not solely modern Hansen's disease. Its biblical significance is primarily ritualistic: signifying profound impurity and separation. It served as a visible manifestation of defilement before God and the community.

• he is unclean (Hebrew: tame' hu') - An emphatic declaration of ritual impurity. Being tame' meant a person was unable to participate in communal worship, handle sacred objects, or enter the sacred precincts of the Tabernacle/Temple. This impurity was contagious and required strict separation to protect the holiness of the camp.

• the priest (Hebrew: hakkohen) - Refers specifically to an Aaronic priest. In ancient Israel, the priests were God's appointed authorities to interpret and administer the laws of ritual purity. Their judgment was binding and crucial for maintaining order and holiness within the covenant community.

• shall certainly pronounce him unclean (Hebrew: v'timme' oto hakkohen) - The Hebrew verb timme' is in the Piel stem, which implies an intensive, decisive action. It signifies the priest's authoritative, non-negotiable, and final declaration of impurity. This was not a medical diagnosis but a ritual decree, publicly establishing the individual's defiled status.

• his disease (Hebrew: nig'o) - Literally, "his affliction" or "his plague." Derived from naga ("to touch," "to strike"), suggesting that the disease has visibly "struck" or "afflicted" him. It refers to the physical manifestation of tsara'at.

• is on his head (Hebrew: b'ro'sho) - This is a significant phrase. It indicates that the tsara'at is not merely superficial or localized but is strikingly evident, pervasive, or rooted in the individual's core. It may suggest:

  • Visibility: The most prominent place for an outbreak, making it unmistakable.
  • Totality/Severity: An affliction so extensive or fundamental that it "crowns" or dominates the entire person, symbolizing complete contamination. It highlights the undeniable and severe nature of the disease, leaving no room for doubt about the priestly verdict.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "he is a leprous man, he is unclean": This tandem phrase forms a conclusive verdict, first identifying the condition (the affliction itself) and then stating its immediate ritual consequence (uncleanness). It establishes the person's status as undeniable and settled.
  • "the priest shall certainly pronounce him unclean": This underscores the absolute authority of the priesthood in ritual matters. The phrase emphasizes that the pronouncement is not speculative but a definitive and binding declaration, critical for the social and religious order of Israel.
  • "his disease is on his head": This concluding statement highlights the undeniable and severe nature of the tsara'at. It suggests that the affliction is not merely present but is manifest in such a way—perhaps extensively, prominently, or fundamentally—that its presence is beyond doubt, validating the priest's conclusive judgment of uncleanness.

Leviticus 13 44 Bonus section

• Symbolic Connection to Sin: Many theological interpretations view tsara'at as a potent biblical metaphor for sin. Like tsara'at, sin is:

  • Defiling: It makes one ritually and spiritually "unclean" before a holy God.
  • Contagious: Sin can spread and corrupt individuals and communities.
  • Separating: It separates people from God's presence and from the holy community.
  • Deep-Seated: Just as the disease might be "on his head," sin can pervade one's entire being, requiring more than superficial treatment.
  • Requires Divine Intervention: Just as the priest could only diagnose, not heal tsara'at, humanity cannot self-cleanse from sin; only divine power, ultimately embodied in Jesus Christ, can truly cleanse and make one whole.

• Priestly Authority as God's Representative: This verse powerfully illustrates the God-given authority of the priest. His "pronouncement" was not a personal opinion but an authoritative declaration that reflected God's own judgment and requirements for holiness within the covenant community. It underlines the concept of delegated authority necessary for covenant order.

Leviticus 13 44 Commentary

Leviticus 13:44 encapsulates the definitive verdict on a person diagnosed with tsara'at according to Mosaic law. Following detailed inspections, this verse declares the irrefutable presence of the disease and the subsequent state of irreversible ritual uncleanness. The emphatic language, "he is...he is unclean; the priest shall certainly pronounce him unclean," conveys absolute certainty, leaving no ambiguity regarding the diagnosis or the priest's non-discretionary role in declaring it. The phrase "his disease is on his head" is crucial. It does not merely mean the ailment is physically on the head, but symbolically denotes its extreme prominence, pervasive nature, or deep-seated hold. It is a full-blown case, strikingly evident, confirming the person's complete ritual defilement. This was vital for the strict segregation required to maintain the sanctity of the Israelite community, preventing the spread of defilement that could threaten God's holy presence within the camp. The law underscores that while physical, tsara'at was profoundly a matter of ritual and often served as a divine sign or judgment, emphasizing God's intolerance for anything that contaminates holiness, foreshadowing sin's pervasive nature and need for radical cleansing.