Leviticus 13 49

Leviticus 13:49 kjv

And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be showed unto the priest:

Leviticus 13:49 nkjv

and if the plague is greenish or reddish in the garment or in the leather, whether in the warp or in the woof, or in anything made of leather, it is a leprous plague and shall be shown to the priest.

Leviticus 13:49 niv

if the affected area in the fabric, the leather, the woven or knitted material, or any leather article, is greenish or reddish, it is a defiling mold and must be shown to the priest.

Leviticus 13:49 esv

if the disease is greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin or in the warp or the woof or in any article made of skin, it is a case of leprous disease, and it shall be shown to the priest.

Leviticus 13:49 nlt

If the contaminated area in the clothing, the animal hide, the fabric, or the leather article has turned greenish or reddish, it is contaminated with mildew and must be shown to the priest.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 49 Meaning

Leviticus 13:49 specifies the various materials in which a "leprous infection" (tsara'at) could manifest, requiring careful observation and declaration of purity or impurity by the Levitical priest. This verse extends the reach of the laws concerning this particular form of defilement to include woven fabrics of both natural fibers and processed animal hides, encompassing virtually all common textile and leather goods used by the Israelites. It underscores that any such affliction, regardless of material, fell under the purificatory protocol of the Law, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of ritual cleanness in the Israelite community.

Leviticus 13 49 Context

Leviticus 13 begins the comprehensive discourse on tsara'at (often translated "leprosy"), a term that broadly encompasses severe, divinely-sent skin diseases on humans and mildew or mold infections on garments and houses. Chapters 11-15 of Leviticus delineate laws of ritual purity and impurity, covering clean and unclean animals, childbirth, skin diseases, and bodily discharges. These laws served to maintain the holiness of the Israelite camp and individual, distinguishing them from the surrounding pagan nations and preparing them for the presence of a holy God.

Verse 13:49 falls within the specific section (13:47-59) dealing with tsara'at in clothing and household items made of fabric or leather. The meticulous detail in this verse, listing specific weave patterns and material types, highlights the comprehensiveness of these purity regulations. The emphasis is on identifying and managing anything that could introduce ritual impurity into the community, underscoring God's desire for an orderly and sanctified people. The role of the priest is crucial, not as a medical practitioner, but as a ritual adjudicator who would determine the clean from the unclean according to the revealed Law.

Leviticus 13 49 Word analysis

• whether it is in the warp: Refers to the longitudinal threads of a woven fabric. The Hebrew word is shti (שְׁתִי), indicating a fundamental component of the fabric structure. It signifies that the affliction can affect even the foundational threads.
• or in the woof: Refers to the crosswise threads interlaced through the warp. The Hebrew word is 'erev (עֵרֶב). This emphasizes that the infection could appear anywhere within the woven material, affecting its entire composition.
• of linen: Pishtim (פִּשְׁתִּים), a plant fiber, light and commonly used for garments, often associated with purity (e.g., priestly garments in Exod 28:6, 39:27-29). Its inclusion shows purity concerns extended to all common materials.
• or of wool: Tzemèr (צֶמֶר), animal fiber, known for warmth and common in many types of clothing. Both linen and wool were primary materials, demonstrating that neither was exempt from this type of contamination.
• or in leather: 'Or (עוֹר), animal skin that has been processed. Leather was vital for shoes, bags, coverings, and some clothing, demonstrating the broad application of the purity laws.
• or in anything made of hide: This phrase further broadens the scope to include raw or less processed animal skins, and items made from them. The Hebrew term used is still 'or (עוֹר), often indicating the skin itself or things derived from it. This signifies that the type of impurity was not limited to finished products but could also affect raw materials or other forms of animal skin products.
• —it is a leprous infection: The Hebrew is nega tsara'at (נֶגַע צָרַעַת).
  • Nega (נֶגַע): Literally means "stroke," "plague," or "affliction," suggesting something striking or divinely sent. It conveys a sense of a divinely permitted or initiated mark or sign.
  • Tsara'at (צָרַעַת): As mentioned, this is not exclusively modern medical leprosy. In Leviticus, it encompasses various serious, persistent skin afflictions in humans and distinct forms of mildew/mold that appear on garments, leather, and house walls. It carried profound ritual impurity, necessitating separation from the community and the tabernacle. It signified defilement and, potentially, divine displeasure or judgment.
• and is to be shown to the priest: The priest (כֹּהֵן, kohen) held the sole authority to inspect and declare something ritually clean or unclean. This highlighted his essential role in mediating between a holy God and His people, ensuring communal purity and obedience to divine ordinances. His judgment was final and binding, underscoring that maintaining purity was a religious matter, not merely a medical or material one.

Leviticus 13 49 Bonus section

The laws regarding tsara'at in Leviticus served as vivid object lessons for Israel regarding sin. Just as tsara'at physically separated the individual or object from the camp, sin separates one from a holy God. The inability of humans to self-diagnose or self-cleanse from tsara'at, requiring priestly mediation and specific rites (Lev 14), pointed to humanity's helplessness in dealing with sin and the necessity of divine intervention and atonement. The inclusion of tsara'at in fabrics and homes extends this understanding to one's environment and possessions, teaching that the pursuit of holiness should pervade all areas of life. It subtly warns against complacency with creeping defilement, both physical and spiritual, ensuring a constant mindfulness of God's perfect standard of purity.

Leviticus 13 49 Commentary

Leviticus 13:49, set within the detailed purity laws, reveals the comprehensive nature of ritual holiness commanded by God. The specific listing of materials like "warp or woof, of linen or of wool, or in leather, or in anything made of hide" illustrates God's meticulous care for His people's well-being and holiness in all aspects of life, from their physical bodies to their possessions. The tsara'at described here for fabrics and leather is best understood as a type of destructive mildew or mold. Its classification under the same tsara'at umbrella as human skin conditions underscores that it was not merely a physical blemish but a ritual contaminant that rendered objects (and through them, people) impure, requiring the distinct separation enforced by God's law. The requirement to bring the affected item to "the priest" is paramount. It bypasses any human self-diagnosis or cleaning, placing authority squarely with God's appointed representative. This served multiple purposes: maintaining order, emphasizing reliance on divine guidance for purity, and teaching the Israelites the serious consequences of ritual impurity, even in their common household goods. This practice fostered an awareness of sin's defiling nature and the need for divine intervention or prescribed means of cleansing, foreshadowing the ultimate spiritual purification available through Christ.