Leviticus 13 5

Leviticus 13:5 kjv

And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more:

Leviticus 13:5 nkjv

And the priest shall examine him on the seventh day; and indeed if the sore appears to be as it was, and the sore has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall isolate him another seven days.

Leviticus 13:5 niv

On the seventh day the priest is to examine them, and if he sees that the sore is unchanged and has not spread in the skin, he is to isolate them for another seven days.

Leviticus 13:5 esv

And the priest shall examine him on the seventh day, and if in his eyes the disease is checked and the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priest shall shut him up for another seven days.

Leviticus 13:5 nlt

On the seventh day the priest will make another examination. If he finds the affected area has not changed and the problem has not spread on the skin, the priest will quarantine the person for seven more days.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 5 Meaning

Leviticus 13:5 details a critical phase in the priestly assessment of a potential tzara'at skin affliction. After an initial seven-day quarantine, the priest performs a second examination. If the affected area appears somewhat dull or faded, and importantly, has not spread on the skin, the individual is not immediately declared clean. Instead, the priest must extend the quarantine for another seven days. This provision highlights a careful, patient, and methodical approach to discerning the nature of the condition, emphasizing continued observation before a final judgment of ritual purity or impurity.

Leviticus 13 5 Context

Leviticus 13 provides detailed regulations concerning tzara'at, a severe and ritually defiling skin condition, often mistranslated as "leprosy." The chapter outlines the initial inspection by the priest, various symptoms, and subsequent procedures based on their development. This specific verse, 13:5, occurs after an initial priestly examination and a first seven-day isolation period for an ambiguous skin anomaly. The context underscores the priest's unique role as the authoritative discerner of ritual purity and impurity within the community. He was not a medical doctor in the modern sense but served as God's designated arbiter of clean and unclean. The elaborate system of observation, isolation, and re-examination reveals God's meticulous care for the health, order, and holiness of the Israelite community, emphasizing the distinction between what is permitted to be near Him and what is not. This process also served as a means to prevent the unchecked spread of spiritual or social "uncleanness" within the camp, which was to reflect the holy presence of God.

Leviticus 13 5 Word analysis

• And the priest: (וְהַכֹּהֵן - vehakkohen) The priest is God's appointed representative, entrusted with the vital task of discerning purity. His role is not simply curative, but judicial and ceremonial, determining who can dwell in the holy community. He applies divine law, requiring meticulous training and attention to detail.
• shall examine him again: (וְרָאָ֖הוּ - v'ra'ahu, from the root רָאָה - ra'ah, "to see, look, perceive, inspect") Implies a second, critical look. It stresses the necessity of repeated, thorough observation, indicating that a hasty judgment is insufficient when dealing with a potentially serious condition. This signifies careful due diligence.
• the seventh day: (בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י - bayyom hashshĕvi'i) "Seventh day" signifies the completion of a full observation cycle, divinely ordained for wholeness and rest. It allows sufficient time for the skin affliction to manifest more clearly or show signs of resolution. This number often denotes perfection, completion, or a divine ordering of time.
• and, behold, if: (וְהִנֵּ֛ה כֵּהָ֥ה - v'hinneh kehah) "Behold" is an emphatic interjection, drawing attention to the specific conditions that follow. "If" indicates a conditional clause, emphasizing the necessity of precise diagnostic criteria. God's law operates with careful parameters.
• the plague: (הַנֶּ֖גַע - hannega', from the root נָגַע - naga', "to touch, strike, reach", hence a "blow" or "stroke") Refers to the visible skin affliction, divinely inflicted or permitted, which causes ritual impurity. It signifies more than just a disease; it carries a theological meaning of an inflicted condition.
• be somewhat dark: (כֵּהָה - kehah, "dull, dim, faint, obscure") This describes a lessened vividness or intensity of the skin discoloration. It suggests a non-aggressive or possibly regressing condition, moving towards a healthier state rather than worsening or spreading, unlike the aggressive bright white appearance often associated with full tzara'at.
• and the plague spread not: (וְלֹֽא־פָשָׂ֤ה - velo'-fasa', from the root פָּשָׂה - pasah, "to spread, extend, break out") This is a crucial negative indicator. Lack of spread signifies that the affliction is stable or contained, not growing, which is a key sign pointing away from severe, active tzara'at. Spreading would denote increasing impurity.
• in the skin: Specifies that the observation is focused on the superficial layers, the outward manifestation, reinforcing the empirical and visual nature of the priestly examination.
• the priest shall shut him up: (וְהִסְגִּירֹ֥ו - vehisgirô, from the root סָגַר - sagar, "to shut up, close, isolate") Implies a continued period of isolation or quarantine. This is a divine command to protect the holy community from potential defilement. It is a precautionary measure, not necessarily a judgment of impurity yet.
• seven days more: (שֶׁבַע יָמִ֣ים שֵׁנִֽית - sheva yamim shenit, "a second time seven days") Extends the period of observation for further clarity. This reiteration of "seven days" underscores thoroughness, patience, and a divine demand for absolute certainty before making a pronouncement that impacts a person's life and ritual status.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And the priest shall examine him again the seventh day": This phrase highlights the systematic, multi-stage nature of discernment prescribed by God. It’s a deliberate process of patient observation over a set, divinely significant period (the seventh day, symbolic of completion) under the authoritative eye of the priest. This ensures a measured approach, preventing hasty and inaccurate conclusions about an individual's ritual status.
• "and, behold, if the plague be somewhat dark, and the plague spread not in the skin": These specific conditions form the diagnostic criteria for a prolonged observation period. The combination of "somewhat dark" (indicating regression or lack of vibrancy) and "spread not" (indicating containment) signifies an inconclusive but potentially positive sign, yet not definitive enough for a "clean" verdict. It points to a situation that requires cautious optimism and further proof before a pronouncement can be made.
• "the priest shall shut him up seven days more": This outcome underscores divine wisdom in public health and community holiness. Even with ambiguous positive signs, safety and purity are prioritized. The extension of isolation ensures the condition has ample time to either fully resolve or unequivocally worsen, leading to an accurate determination. This shows both God's prudence and His mercy in not rushing to declare one impure without thoroughness.

Leviticus 13 5 Bonus section

• Divine Patience and Mercy: The provision for further observation, rather than an immediate declaration of impurity, demonstrates God's patient and merciful character. It allowed for hope and a second chance for recovery before a definitive and often life-altering pronouncement of uncleanness was made.
• A Precursor to Spiritual Discernment: The priest's meticulous diagnostic role in tzara'at can be seen as a shadow of the New Testament call for believers, especially leaders, to exercise spiritual discernment. Just as the priest examined visible signs, believers are called to observe "fruits" and "deeds" to determine spiritual health and authenticity (Mt 7:20, Gal 5:22-23).
• Sanctification and Separation: The rigorous nature of these laws served to teach Israel about God's absolute holiness and the necessity of maintaining clear boundaries between clean and unclean, holy and common, inside and outside the camp. This instruction aimed to cultivate a deep sense of separation and consecration to God among His people.
• The Number Seven: The repeated use of "seven days" throughout this chapter and many Old Testament contexts emphasizes a divine ordering and completeness. It signifies a full cycle, suggesting that God's processes are not arbitrary but perfectly measured and executed for definitive outcomes.

Leviticus 13 5 Commentary

Leviticus 13:5 reveals the deep wisdom embedded in God's laws concerning tzara'at. It demonstrates that God's justice is not hasty but characterized by careful, patient discernment. The priest's meticulous re-examination and the extended quarantine period underscore the serious nature of tzara'at not just as a physical affliction, but as a potent symbol of impurity that could contaminate the holy community. The two specific criteria—the "darkening" or dulling of the patch and the absence of "spread"—are crucial, indicating a potentially receding or non-aggressive condition. However, these are not enough for an immediate declaration of cleanness. The repeated seven-day cycle signifies thoroughness, leaving no room for error in discerning ritual status. This patient methodology is foundational to biblical principles of judgment, emphasizing that discerning truth often requires extended observation and prudence before definitive pronouncements, both in physical and spiritual matters.

• Examples:
  • A church deliberating on a person's readiness for leadership requires time to observe character and fruit, not just initial enthusiasm.
  • A shepherd diligently watching a straying sheep over time to see if it truly returns to the fold, rather than reacting solely to an initial appearance of turning back.