Leviticus 13 56

Leviticus 13:56 kjv

And if the priest look, and, behold, the plague be somewhat dark after the washing of it; then he shall rend it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof:

Leviticus 13:56 nkjv

If the priest examines it, and indeed the plague has faded after washing it, then he shall tear it out of the garment, whether out of the warp or out of the woof, or out of the leather.

Leviticus 13:56 niv

If, when the priest examines it, the mold has faded after the article has been washed, he is to tear the spoiled part out of the fabric, the leather, or the woven or knitted material.

Leviticus 13:56 esv

"But if the priest examines, and if the diseased area has faded after it has been washed, he shall tear it out of the garment or the skin or the warp or the woof.

Leviticus 13:56 nlt

But if the priest examines it and finds that the contaminated area has faded after being washed, he must cut the spot from the clothing, the fabric, or the leather.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 56 Meaning

Leviticus 13:56 details the procedure for handling a garment or leather item that has been washed, but still exhibits a discolored mark identified as a nega tzara'at (leprosy-like affliction) that has appeared or persisted from its "underside" or inner fabric. If this reddish-white or whitish mark remains after washing and originates from the depth of the material, it indicates that the affliction is deeply ingrained and truly active. The instruction is to radically remove, or "tear out," only the afflicted portion from the item, whether it's the main fabric, leather, or specific warp or weft threads, signifying a targeted, severe excision rather than condemning the entire article.

Leviticus 13 56 Context

Leviticus 13 is dedicated to comprehensive laws concerning tzara'at (often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing a range of severe skin conditions and fungal/mildew-like afflictions on fabrics and houses), defining purity and impurity within the Israelite community. The regulations ensure that anything affected by tzara'at is properly identified, managed, and ritually treated, separating the clean from the unclean to maintain Israel's holiness before God. This chapter emphasizes the meticulous role of the priest in discerning tzara'at manifestations and issuing a verdict based on the mark's characteristics, color, depth, and persistence, particularly after a period of quarantine or washing. Verse 56 falls within the section addressing tzara'at on garments and items made of linen, wool, or leather, illustrating how to deal with an affliction that has permeated the very fibers of the material, requiring more than superficial treatment.

Leviticus 13 56 Word analysis

• And: Connects this specific ruling to the broader diagnostic procedures outlined earlier in the chapter for items with tzara'at.

• if the bright spot on the fabric: Hebrew: nega. Lit. "affliction" or "mark." It refers to the discolored spot or eruption that signals the presence of tzara'at.

• is reddish-white (אֲדַמְדָּם adamdam) or whitish (לְבַנְבַּן levanvan): These are precise diagnostic color descriptors. Adamdam implies a dull, light red, while levanvan is dull, pale white. Both signify a significant and active manifestation of tzara'at requiring immediate action.

• on the under side (מִסָּפוּחַ mis'saphuach): This phrase means "from its inner/spreading part" or "from its deeper extension." It indicates that the discoloration is not merely superficial but has permeated and is manifest from within the fabric's core, highlighting its pervasive nature.

• after it has been washed: Crucial detail showing that superficial cleaning or initial attempts at purification were ineffective. The problem persisted despite external intervention.

• then you shall tear it out (קְרָעֹ֔הּ qra'oh): A strong imperative verb meaning to rip, rend, or cut off. It commands a decisive, radical action to remove only the affected portion, distinguishing it from burning the entire garment if the affliction spread completely.

• of the fabric (בַּבֶּ֣גֶד bav'bèged) or out of the leather (וּבָע֑וֹר u-va'òr) or out of the warp (בַּשְּׁתִ֖י bash'shi) or out of the weft (א֖וֹ בָעֵֽרֶב o bha'èrèbh): Specifies the various materials the tzara'at can affect and from which the infected part must be precisely excised. "Warp" (sheti) and "weft" (erebh) refer to the longitudinal and transverse threads that form the basic structure of woven fabric, emphasizing thoroughness even down to individual threads.

• it is a spread of leprous disease (נֶ֣גַע צָרַ֙עַת֙ הִ֔וא nega tzara'at hi): This declarative statement by the priest is the final and definitive diagnosis, confirming the persistent, internal nature of the impurity and justifying the drastic measure required.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "bright spot... reddish-white or whitish... on the under side... after it has been washed": This comprehensive description establishes the intrinsic, persistent nature of the tzara'at, having resisted initial cleansing efforts and originating from within the material itself. It is a sign of deep-seated contamination.
  • "then you shall tear it out... of the fabric or out of the leather... warp or out of the weft": This segment outlines the radical, precise, and targeted action required. It's not a complete discarding but a careful severing of the deeply corrupted part, regardless of the specific material type or weave, to preserve the usable portions.
  • "it is a spread of leprous disease": This final authoritative declaration confirms the spiritual reality of the affliction and its required treatment, signifying that superficial measures are inadequate for pervasive defilement.

Leviticus 13 56 Bonus section

The concept of tzara'at on materials reinforces the holistic nature of ritual purity in Israel, extending beyond the individual to their environment. It teaches that impurity can permeate everyday items, highlighting God's standard of comprehensive holiness. The distinction between total destruction of an item and mere excision of a part in this chapter suggests degrees of corruption and God's wisdom in prescribing proportional responses. The fact that the mark manifests "from the underside" implies a hidden, insidious nature to the tzara'at, one that becomes visible only upon deeper inspection or after attempting surface-level remedies. This has profound spiritual parallels, teaching that true defilement often lies not in obvious external acts alone, but in underlying attitudes or persistent patterns that resurface even after attempts at superficial change, requiring radical self-examination and decisive action as seen in Jesus' teachings on plucking out an eye or cutting off a hand if it causes sin.

Leviticus 13 56 Commentary

Leviticus 13:56 provides insight into the nuanced and decisive nature of handling ritual uncleanness that has become deeply ingrained. When a tzara'at mark on a garment persists even after washing, especially manifesting from its deeper fibers, it reveals an impurity that cannot be merely scrubbed away. This signifies that the defilement has penetrated beyond the surface. The command to "tear it out" underscores a vital spiritual principle: certain forms of defilement or sin cannot be resolved by superficial repentance or external cleansing. They require radical excision, a complete severing of the offending part to protect the integrity of the whole. This action acknowledges the persistence and insidious nature of sin that takes root internally, demanding decisive judgment and removal rather than tolerance or mere cover-up. It speaks to a call for purity that demands complete separation from deep-seated corruption within one's life or the community.