Leviticus 13 51

Leviticus 13:51 kjv

And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean.

Leviticus 13:51 nkjv

And he shall examine the plague on the seventh day. If the plague has spread in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, in the leather or in anything made of leather, the plague is an active leprosy. It is unclean.

Leviticus 13:51 niv

On the seventh day he is to examine it, and if the mold has spread in the fabric, the woven or knitted material, or the leather, whatever its use, it is a persistent defiling mold; the article is unclean.

Leviticus 13:51 esv

Then he shall examine the disease on the seventh day. If the disease has spread in the garment, in the warp or the woof, or in the skin, whatever be the use of the skin, the disease is a persistent leprous disease; it is unclean.

Leviticus 13:51 nlt

On the seventh day the priest must inspect it again. If the contaminated area has spread, the clothing or fabric or leather is clearly contaminated by a serious mildew and is ceremonially unclean.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 51 Meaning

Leviticus 13:51 describes a critical stage in the examination of a garment or leather article suspected of having tsara'at, often translated as leprosy but encompassing various spreading decay-like conditions. If, after an initial quarantine period, the priest observes that the discoloration or mold has indeed spread within the fabric—be it in the warp, the woof, or any kind of leather—then it is definitively identified as an active, spreading infection. This diagnosis renders the item ritually "unclean," necessitating its destruction by fire to prevent further contamination within the camp of Israel.

Leviticus 13 51 Context

Leviticus 13 provides detailed instructions concerning the diagnosis, isolation, and purification procedures for tsara'at affecting people, garments, and houses. This chapter establishes the role of the priest not as a healer, but as a judicial officer tasked by God with inspecting and declaring ritual purity or impurity. Verse 51 falls within the section (Lev 13:47-59) dedicated to tsara'at on garments and articles made of leather.

The process for items involves an initial priestly inspection (Lev 13:49), a mandatory seven-day quarantine if suspicious (Lev 13:50), and then a second inspection. Verse 51 details the outcome of this second inspection: if the tsara'at has spread, the item is definitively pronounced "unclean." This determination is crucial for maintaining the sanctity and health of the Israelite camp, preventing the contamination of what is pure by what is unclean, aligning with God's holy character.

Leviticus 13 51 Word analysis

• And if he looks on it, and behold:
  • v'ra'ah (וְרָאָה, "and he saw" or "and he looked"): This highlights the priest's active role as observer and diagnostician. The priest acts on God's behalf in discerning the spiritual/ritual state.
  • v'hineh (וְהִנֵּה, "and behold"): This particle draws attention to an unexpected or significant discovery, indicating the crucial nature of finding the spreading condition.
• the infection has spread:
  • pashta (פָשְׁטָה, "has spread," from pashat): Signifies expansion, growth, or pervasive advancement. It emphasizes that the condition is not static but worsening and permeating the material. This progression is a key indicator of its "unclean" status.
  • hanega (הַנֶּגַע, "the infection/plague/stroke"): Refers to the visible manifestation of tsara'at. It's a "stroke" or mark, indicative of a condition, possibly sent by God, rather than a natural occurrence solely. Its spreading nature points to its active, defiling power.
• in the garment, whether in the warp or in the woof:
  • bak-beged (בַּבֶּגֶד, "in the garment"): Refers broadly to items woven from linen or wool, the common clothing materials of the time.
  • bish'ti (בִּשְׁתִי, "in the warp"): The longitudinal threads stretched on a loom.
  • o-betedda (אוֹ בָאֶרֶג, "or in the woof"): The transverse threads interwoven through the warp. The phrase "warp or woof" signifies that the infection permeates the very structure of the fabric, not just the surface. It is thoroughly corrupted. This denotes a deep-seated problem, illustrating how sin can permeate and corrupt every aspect of life.
• or in the leather, whatever kind of leather it may be:
  • o-va'or (אוֹ בָעוֹר, "or in the leather"): Extends the scope beyond woven fabrics to any item made of animal hide.
  • kol mel'echot or (כָּל מְלֶאכֶת עוֹר, "any work of leather"): This encompasses all types of leather goods—clothing, vessels, straps—underscoring the universality of the tsara'at threat to material possessions.
• it is a spreading leprosy:
  • nega mam'erit hi (נֶגַע מַמְאֶרֶת הִיא, "it is an active/virulent infection"): Mam'eret emphasizes the malignancy and active nature of the spread. It's not just "present," but aggressively developing. This highlights the destructive power of uncleanness.
• it is unclean:
  • tame (טָמֵא, "unclean/impure"): This is the priestly verdict, the definitive ritual state. "Unclean" meant the object could not be used or come into contact with holy things or people, thereby preventing defilement within the sacred community. It symbolized separation from God's holiness.

Leviticus 13 51 Bonus section

The Hebrew term tsara'at encompasses a broader range of conditions than just modern "leprosy" (Hansen's Disease). When applied to fabrics and walls, it suggests mold, mildew, or a fungal infestation that exhibits progressive, destructive qualities. The Bible’s careful delineation between this specific "tsara'at" and common stains or mildews points to its unique designation as a ritually unclean phenomenon, signifying divine judgment or a state antithetical to God's holiness. This particular kind of decay symbolized a break from the life-giving order God established.

The requirement to burn the garment (as indicated in Lev 13:52, following this verse) underscores the radical solution needed for pervasive impurity. Fire purifies, but here it acts as a means of complete destruction to prevent the spread of a deeply ingrained corruption, demonstrating the severe consequences of established impurity that cannot be remediated through cleansing rituals alone. This severity foreshadows ultimate judgment on all that is corrupt and defiant against God's holy standards.

Leviticus 13 51 Commentary

Leviticus 13:51 highlights the critical threshold in diagnosing tsara'at on inanimate objects. The essence of its impurity lies in its active, pervasive, and corrupting nature, symbolized by its "spreading." This isn't merely a discoloration but a vibrant indication that the object has become actively defiling, reflecting a spiritual condition. The meticulous examination by the priest and the definitive declaration of "unclean" underscore God's unwavering demand for purity within His covenant community.

The tsara'at of garments and leather can be seen as a tangible representation of how sin, if left unaddressed or given a foothold, will inevitably "spread" and corrupt. Just as the physical spread of tsara'at necessitates the destruction of the item to protect the camp, so the spread of sin or unrighteousness necessitates separation or judgment to maintain spiritual purity. This verse implicitly teaches vigilance against corrupting influences, recognizing that unchecked moral or spiritual decay will invariably spread and demand decisive action. It emphasizes God's concern for holiness, not only in persons but in all aspects of life that might impact communal purity.