Leviticus 13 58

Leviticus 13:58 kjv

And the garment, either warp, or woof, or whatsoever thing of skin it be, which thou shalt wash, if the plague be departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean.

Leviticus 13:58 nkjv

And if you wash the garment, either warp or woof, or whatever is made of leather, if the plague has disappeared from it, then it shall be washed a second time, and shall be clean.

Leviticus 13:58 niv

Any fabric, woven or knitted material, or any leather article that has been washed and is rid of the mold, must be washed again. Then it will be clean."

Leviticus 13:58 esv

But the garment, or the warp or the woof, or any article made of skin from which the disease departs when you have washed it, shall then be washed a second time, and be clean."

Leviticus 13:58 nlt

But if the spot disappears from the clothing, the fabric, or the leather article after it has been washed, it must be washed again; then it will be ceremonially clean.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 58 Meaning

Leviticus 13:58 outlines the final step in the purification process for a garment, woven fabric (warp or woof), or any item made of skin that had been contaminated by a defiling "plague" (such as mold or mildew, often referred to as "leprosy" in a broader sense). Once the priest has inspected the item and declared that the plague has departed—meaning the contamination is gone—the item must be washed. This washing makes it ritually clean, suitable for use again within the community according to God's holy standards.

Leviticus 13 58 Context

Leviticus Chapter 13 provides detailed instructions for priests regarding the diagnosis, isolation, and purification procedures for "plagues" of defilement (nega'im). These plagues primarily refer to various skin diseases (often collectively termed "leprosy," though distinct from modern Hansen's disease) and outbreaks of mold or mildew found in garments, leather, or houses. The immediate context of verse 58 falls within the section specifically addressing how to handle garments contaminated by these plagues (Lev 13:47-59). The verses preceding describe the appearance of the plague, its inspection by the priest, periods of isolation for suspected items, and procedures for burning or destroying severely afflicted items. Verse 58 refers to the favorable outcome where, after initial inspection and potential isolation, the priest determines the plague has disappeared from the garment. This declaration signals the final step: washing. The entire process underscored the pervasive nature of defilement in a sinful world and the necessity of strict, God-ordained procedures for maintaining the ritual purity essential for an ongoing relationship with a holy God. Culturally, this reflected Israel's unique covenant relationship, contrasting sharply with pagan societies which often lacked such clear distinctions between clean and unclean or detailed rituals for hygienic-spiritual purification overseen by dedicated religious authorities.

Leviticus 13 58 Word analysis

• And the garment (וְהַבֶּגֶד, wəhabbeged):
  • וְהַ (wəha): "And the". Connects to the preceding regulations.
  • בֶּגֶד (beged): General term for "garment," "clothing," or "covering." Here, it represents any article of clothing made from fabric, susceptible to the defiling plague. Its inclusion emphasizes the everyday objects impacted by the holiness laws.
• or warp, or woof (אוֹ שְׁתִי, אוֹ עֵרֶב, ʾō shethî, ʾō ʿēreb):
  • אוֹ (ʾō): "Or." Indicates alternatives, broadening the scope.
  • שְׁתִי (shethî): "Warp threads." The longitudinal threads set up on a loom, forming the basic structure of woven cloth.
  • עֵרֶב (ʿēreb): "Woof threads," also "weft" or "filling." The horizontal threads woven through the warp to create the fabric. Their specific mention highlights that the plague could affect the very threads that comprise the garment, emphasizing the depth of potential defilement.
• or any thing of skin (אוֹ כָל־כְּלִי עוֹר, ʾō khol-kəli ʿōr):
  • כָּל־ (kol-): "Any," "all." Indicates comprehensiveness.
  • כְּלִי (kəli): "Vessel," "article," "utensil," "implement." A general term for an item or object.
  • עוֹר (ʿōr): "Skin," "hide," "leather." This clarifies that leather goods, like clothing, shoes, or containers, were also subject to these purification laws if they developed the defiling plague. This broad scope demonstrates God's concern for holiness extending to various common household items.
• from which the plague has departed (אֲשֶׁר תֵּצֵא מִמֶּנּוּ הַנֶּגַע, ʾasher tēt͡sēʾ mimmennū hannāgaʿ):
  • אֲשֶׁר (ʾasher): "That," "which." Connects the item to the condition.
  • תֵּצֵא (tēt͡sēʾ): "Has gone out," "has departed," "emerged." From the root יָצָא (yātsāʾ), meaning "to go forth." This verb is crucial; it signifies that the "plague" is no longer present, either by natural remission or by God's intervention, making further purification possible.
  • מִמֶּנּוּ (mimmennū): "From it."
  • הַנֶּגַע (hannāgaʿ): "The plague," "the stroke," "the spot," "the mark." Here, specifically the defiling contamination, often referring to mold, mildew, or a skin affliction. The plague is the source of ritual uncleanness.
• when thou hast washed it (וְכֻבַּס, wəkhubbas):
  • וְ (wə): "And" or "then." Indicates sequence.
  • כֻבַּס (khubbas): "It has been washed." A passive form (Pual) of the verb כָּבַס (kābas), meaning "to wash," specifically by trampling, treading, or kneading with water and often a cleaning agent like natron or soapwort. This was a vigorous and essential act, not just a superficial rinse, symbolizing the complete removal of defilement.
• then it shall be clean. (וְטָהֵר. wəṭāhēr):
  • וְ (wə): "Then" or "and."
  • טָהֵר (ṭāhēr): "It shall be clean," "it shall become pure." From the root טָהַר (ṭāhar), meaning "to be clean," "to be pure." This is the declared state of ritual purity, making the item fit for holy use again within the community. It is the desired outcome of the purification process, declared by God.

Words-group Analysis:

• "garment, or warp, or woof, or any thing of skin": This phrase covers all typical textile and leather goods. It shows the meticulous detail of God's purity laws, ensuring no common item of daily use was left unaddressed concerning potential defilement. This reflects a holistic view of holiness that impacts every aspect of life.
• "from which the plague has departed": This is a prerequisite. The item could only be washed for purification after the defilement had genuinely gone. The washing itself did not remove the nega', but was the final ritual step confirming and restoring cleanness after the problem itself was resolved by inspection. This highlights that cleansing rituals often confirm or acknowledge a prior act of removal or healing.
• "when thou hast washed it, then it shall be clean": This shows a clear cause-and-effect relationship established by divine command. The ritual washing is the divinely appointed action that concretizes and declares the restoration of ritual purity after the physical plague has gone. It wasn't merely for physical cleanliness, but for ceremonial fitness to approach a holy God.

Leviticus 13 58 Bonus section

The type of "washing" implied by kabas (כָּבַס) was often more intense than a simple rinse, sometimes involving treading on the items in water, possibly with agents like alkaline plants or ash, to thoroughly dislodge contaminants. This vigorous action emphasizes the effort and totality required for purification from defilement. The role of the priest (not explicitly stated in this verse, but implicit from the preceding context of Lev 13) in making the declaration of the plague's departure before washing could occur, is critical. This emphasizes the need for an authoritative discernment of a spiritual or ritual state, paralleling the discernment of truth and application of God's Word by spiritual leaders in the New Covenant. The emphasis on fabric types (warp and woof) suggests a common awareness of the internal structure of textiles, highlighting the meticulous detail in God's laws, reflecting His perfect order.

Leviticus 13 58 Commentary

Leviticus 13:58 is the concluding instruction for purifying garments and leather items that had suffered from the mysterious "plague" but had subsequently been declared clear by the priest. It highlights that the departure of the visible contamination (the nega') was a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for restoration. A specific ritual act of washing was required, symbolizing and physically enacting the complete removal of defiling residue and the return to a state of ritual purity. This law underscored the comprehensive nature of defilement under the Old Covenant and the equally comprehensive nature of the purification God required. It demonstrates that purity wasn't merely an absence of infection but a state ritually affirmed through prescribed actions, declared by God's designated authority, the priest. Ultimately, these meticulous physical cleansings foreshadow the deeper spiritual cleansing from sin achieved through Christ's perfect sacrifice and the "washing of regeneration" (Titus 3:5).