Leviticus 13 46

Leviticus 13:46 kjv

All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.

Leviticus 13:46 nkjv

He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.

Leviticus 13:46 niv

As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.

Leviticus 13:46 esv

He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.

Leviticus 13:46 nlt

As long as the serious disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean. They must live in isolation in their place outside the camp.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 46 Meaning

Leviticus 13:46 outlines the definitive consequences for an individual diagnosed with tzara'at (often translated "leprosy," but refers to a broader, ritually impure skin affliction). For the entire duration of the affliction, the affected person is declared ritually defiled and unclean. This status necessitates strict social and spiritual isolation: they must dwell in complete solitude and reside outside the boundaries of the Israelite camp, symbolizing their severance from the holy community.

Leviticus 13 46 Context

Leviticus chapters 13 and 14 constitute a detailed manual for the Israelite priesthood concerning tzara'at, a severe skin affliction, which in the biblical context is not purely a medical disease but a condition conveying extreme ritual impurity and often carrying moral or divine punitive associations (e.g., Miriam's tzara'at in Num 12). The chapter meticulously describes the symptoms for diagnosis, the examination process by the priest, and the subsequent directives for those found to be afflicted. Verse 46 provides the outcome for confirmed cases: complete isolation. This stringent measure maintained the ritual purity of the Israelite camp, where God's holy presence resided in the tabernacle, distinguishing Israel as a holy people set apart by God. It also served as a stark physical reminder of the spiritual danger of sin and impurity. The emphasis on expulsion contrasts sharply with some pagan societies that might treat the diseased as victims of evil spirits to be appeased rather than defiled persons requiring physical and ritual removal.

Leviticus 13 46 Word analysis

• All the days: (כָּל־יְמֵי - kol-y'mei) This signifies an indefinite period, as long as the affliction persists. It is not a temporary, fixed period of isolation, but one dependent entirely on the physical state. This highlights the prolonged and uncertain nature of the suffering and separation.
• wherein the plague: (הַנֶּגַע - hannega) This term refers specifically to the tzara'at affliction. It's a "stroke" or "blow," implying a divine visitation or a severe impairment. The use of "the" definite article emphasizes that this is the well-defined plague discussed throughout the chapter. Its significance extends beyond physical disease, often seen as a manifestation of spiritual disfavor or defilement.
• shall be in him: (בּוֹ - bo) Literally, "in him" or "on him." It denotes the physical presence and pervasive nature of the tzara'at on the individual's body, indicating it has taken hold and is active.
• he shall be defiled; he is unclean: (יִטְמָא טָמֵא הוּא - yitma tame hu)
  • Yitma: From the root tamah, "to be unclean, defiled." This indicates a state of ritual impurity. It implies a legal/ceremonial defilement, not necessarily a moral one, though sometimes connected to it.
  • Tame hu: Literally, "unclean he (is)." This second phrase reiterates and strongly confirms the state of uncleanness. It is an emphatic declaration, solidifying his status and making it undeniable. This reinforces the severity and clarity of the individual's status. This is a fundamental concept in Leviticus, where holiness and purity are paramount for approaching God.
• he shall dwell alone: (בָּדָד יֵשֵׁב - badad yeshev)
  • Badad: "Alone, solitarily, apart." This emphasizes extreme social isolation. It means complete separation from human contact, family, and community. This aspect of the penalty would have been deeply profound in communal Israelite society. It points to a deep physical and emotional solitude.
  • Yeshev: "He shall sit" or "he shall dwell." It signifies an enduring state of living, not just a momentary condition.
• without the camp: (מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה - michutz lammachaneh)
  • Michutz: "Outside, beyond, without."
  • Lammachaneh: "The camp." The "camp" here refers to the holy encampment of Israel where the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place, was located. Being outside the camp signifies expulsion from the sacred space where God's presence was known. It symbolizes spiritual ostracization and loss of access to communal worship and interaction with God's manifest presence.
• shall his habitation be: (מוֹשָׁבוֹ - moshavo) "His dwelling place, his habitation." This confirms that his fixed residence for the duration of the affliction must be outside the camp. It makes it clear that this is his permanent (for the time being) place of abode, not just a temporary exclusion.

Leviticus 13 46 Bonus section

The regulations concerning tzara'at were among the most extensive and detailed purity laws in the Mosaic Covenant, highlighting its singular importance. While commonly translated "leprosy," the term tzara'at in Leviticus covers a range of skin ailments, and uniquely, could also manifest on clothing or houses (Lev 13:47-59, 14:33-53), suggesting its deeper significance beyond mere medical pathology. This extended manifestation indicates it as a cosmic disorder or sign of pervasive defilement affecting not just the individual, but their possessions and dwelling. This complex interplay of physical, social, and spiritual dimensions elevated tzara'at from a mere disease to a potent symbol of ritual uncleanness requiring a divine act of cleansing, rather than merely human medical intervention. This ultimately sets the stage for Christ's ministry, where He performs a complete purification of body and spirit.

Leviticus 13 46 Commentary

Leviticus 13:46 vividly describes the ultimate consequence for tzara'at, emphasizing total isolation due to ritual impurity. This isolation was multifaceted: it was physical, social, and spiritual. Physically, the individual had to separate to prevent literal contamination and symbolize their state. Socially, they were cut off from family and community life, experiencing profound loneliness and stigmatization. Spiritually, being "outside the camp" meant being removed from the immediate sphere of God's presence within the Tabernacle, thereby losing participation in communal worship and potentially symbolic access to divine favor.

This extreme measure served several crucial purposes within the Levitical system. Firstly, it maintained the holiness and purity of the Israelite community, vital for God's continued dwelling among them. Secondly, it was a profound visual lesson about the consequences of impurity, particularly spiritual impurity or sin. Just as physical tzara'at separated a person from the holy community, so too does sin separate individuals from God. Thirdly, it also served public health, minimizing the spread of contagious conditions, though its primary biblical emphasis is ritual and spiritual.

This verse ultimately points forward to Jesus, who, remarkably, not only touched and healed those with tzara'at—thus demonstrating divine power over sin and defilement—but also identified with humanity's ultimate "outsider" status due to sin. His suffering and death "outside the gate" of Jerusalem (Heb 13:12) symbolically connects Him to the banished leper, becoming "unclean" for us so that we might be brought near to God, cleansed, and welcomed into the true spiritual camp of His redeemed people. It is a profound demonstration that God does not abandon the defiled but provides the ultimate means of purification and restoration.

Examples of practical application:

• Spiritual Isolation: Understanding how persistent sin or unrepentance can create a "spiritual tzara'at," leading to isolation from God and fellow believers, and the need for genuine repentance and cleansing.
• Care for Outcasts: Reflecting on Jesus's compassion towards the marginalized, this verse can prompt consideration for how communities treat those who are sick, socially isolated, or stigmatized, fostering a desire for inclusion where appropriate.
• Holiness and Separation: Learning the principle of holiness – the necessity of separation from practices and attitudes that defile – not to isolate, but to live in distinctiveness as God's people while demonstrating love to the world.