Leviticus 13 55

Leviticus 13:55 kjv

And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his color, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without.

Leviticus 13:55 nkjv

Then the priest shall examine the plague after it has been washed; and indeed if the plague has not changed its color, though the plague has not spread, it is unclean, and you shall burn it in the fire; it continues eating away, whether the damage is outside or inside.

Leviticus 13:55 niv

After the article has been washed, the priest is to examine it again, and if the mold has not changed its appearance, even though it has not spread, it is unclean. Burn it, no matter which side of the fabric has been spoiled.

Leviticus 13:55 esv

And the priest shall examine the diseased thing after it has been washed. And if the appearance of the diseased area has not changed, though the disease has not spread, it is unclean. You shall burn it in the fire, whether the rot is on the back or on the front.

Leviticus 13:55 nlt

Then the priest must examine the object again. If he finds that the contaminated area has not changed color after being washed, even if it did not spread, the object is defiled. It must be completely burned up, whether the contaminated spot is on the inside or outside.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 55 Meaning

Leviticus 13:55 details a specific scenario within the laws concerning mold or mildew on garments. If a garment, after being washed, retains the discolored spot or mark of contamination, even if the "plague" has not physically spread, it is declared ritually unclean. The verdict is definitive: the garment must be completely destroyed by burning, for it is deemed to possess a stubborn, malignant affliction that superficial cleansing cannot remove. This verse underscores the uncompromising nature of God's purity standards, where a deep-seated defilement, impervious to simple measures, requires radical eradication.

Leviticus 13 55 Context

Leviticus chapter 13 establishes the intricate laws concerning ritual impurity arising from tsara'at, commonly translated as "leprosy" but encompassing a wider range of skin afflictions and mildew/mold on garments or houses. The purpose of these laws was not merely hygienic but primarily theological, designed to maintain the ritual purity of the Israelite camp in the presence of a holy God. Any uncleanness, particularly stubborn and persistent defilement, posed a threat to God's presence among His people. Leviticus 13:55 specifically addresses a situation where initial remedial actions, such as washing the affected garment, fail to resolve the defilement, indicating a deeply ingrained issue. The prescribed burning signifies a complete separation from anything that could persistently taint the community's holiness.

Leviticus 13 55 Word analysis

• And if, after the washing,: This signifies a specific procedure, כִּבּוּס (kibbus), a laundering process or thorough cleaning. It implies an attempt at purification has been made, but it proves insufficient. This sets up a test; if a basic remedial step fails, the problem is deeper.
• the plague: From Hebrew נֶגַע (nega), meaning "stroke," "mark," or "affliction." It's a general term for the visible manifestation of impurity, not necessarily a disease in a modern medical sense but a sign of defilement requiring priestly diagnosis. Here, it refers to the persistent discolored spot on the garment.
• does not change its color,: Indicates the stubborn persistence of the visible impurity. The lack of alteration despite the wash suggests an ingrained or inherent defect, unyielding to ordinary means of purification.
• though the plague is not spread,: This seemingly counterintuitive phrase is crucial. Unlike a nega that actively spreads (which would also lead to burning, per Lev 13:52), this one remains localized yet resistant to cleansing. Its persistence without spreading highlights its deeply set, immovable nature, rather than a superficial or merely expanding condition. It is internally stubborn, not externally aggressive.
• it is unclean;: Hebrew טָמֵא (ṭamê). This is the definitive verdict. It means ritually impure, unfit for sacred use, potentially contagious ritually, and needing to be isolated or destroyed. It cannot be made pure.
• you shall burn it in the fire. From Hebrew בָּאֵשׁ תִּשְׂרֹפֶנּוּ (ba'esh tisrofennu). Burning is the ultimate act of destruction and purification in this context. It thoroughly eradicates the contaminant, symbolizing complete separation from defilement and its pervasive effects. It prevents further transmission and removes any trace.
• It is a stubborn disease. Hebrew צָרַעַת מַמְאֶרֶת (tsara'at mam'eret).
  • צָרַעַת (tsara'at): Refers to the broader category of impurity or defilement, whether on skin, garments, or houses, and not just what is medically defined as leprosy. Here, it is the general term for the condition causing impurity.
  • מַמְאֶרֶת (mam'eret): This key term comes from the root ma'ar (מָאַר), meaning to be malignant, inveterate, defiant, or rebellious. It signifies a deep-seated, intractable, or virulent condition that cannot be cured or removed by simple means. It emphasizes its persistent, perhaps incurable, nature, necessitating radical intervention.
• Words-group: "after the washing, the plague does not change its color, though the plague is not spread, it is unclean; you shall burn it in the fire. It is a stubborn disease.": This sequence details a process of testing, diagnosis, and final, severe prescription. The failure of ordinary cleansing, combined with the non-spreading but persistent nature, points to an insidious defilement (mam'eret) that renders the item completely ṭamê. The mandated burning is the only means of dealing with such radical impurity, signifying an unyielding standard for holiness.

Leviticus 13 55 Bonus section

• The term mam'eret (stubborn/malignant) found here implies a quality that resists external correction or influence, akin to spiritual obstinacy or a deep root of sin in the heart that no outward change can truly purify.
• The ritualistic burning served not only as a destructive act but also as an act of purification, where the object was returned to dust by fire, separating the defilement from the camp of Israel. Fire in Scripture often symbolizes God's holy presence that consumes impurity (Deut 4:24).
• The emphasis on "not spreading" yet still being "stubborn" (malignant) is a key nuance. It indicates that internal resistance to cleansing, even without external proliferation, is enough to warrant severe measures. The essence of the contamination, not just its scope, is paramount.
• These laws served to visually and experientially teach Israel about the absolute separation required by God's holiness, preparing them for an understanding of spiritual purity and the true cost of sin.

Leviticus 13 55 Commentary

Leviticus 13:55 is not merely a hygienic instruction; it carries profound spiritual weight within the mosaic of biblical purity laws. It highlights that certain forms of defilement are deeply ingrained and resist superficial remedies. The initial washing is a prescribed test, a grace period to see if the issue can be easily resolved. However, when the "plague" remains unchanged, proving itself "stubborn" (mam'eret), it signifies an intractable problem that transcends simple removal. This "stubborn disease" represents a spiritual condition that cannot be rectified by outward ritual or mere human effort. Such deep-seated impurity is wholly antithetical to God's holiness and His desire for a consecrated people. The command to burn the garment serves as a stark metaphor: radical evil, stubborn sin, or persistent defilement cannot coexist with the holy and must be utterly destroyed or removed. This foreshadows the truth that ultimate cleansing for deeply ingrained sin requires more than ceremonial washings; it demands God's radical intervention, fulfilled through Christ's sacrifice, which eradicates sin at its root, a process akin to complete consumption by purifying fire.