Leviticus 13 6

Leviticus 13:6 kjv

And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague be somewhat dark, and the plague spread not in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean: it is but a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.

Leviticus 13:6 nkjv

Then the priest shall examine him again on the seventh day; and indeed if the sore has faded, and the sore has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a scab, and he shall wash his clothes and be clean.

Leviticus 13:6 niv

On the seventh day the priest is to examine them again, and if the sore has faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce them clean; it is only a rash. They must wash their clothes, and they will be clean.

Leviticus 13:6 esv

And the priest shall examine him again on the seventh day, and if the diseased area has faded and the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only an eruption. And he shall wash his clothes and be clean.

Leviticus 13:6 nlt

On the seventh day the priest will make another examination. If he finds the affected area has faded and has not spread, the priest will pronounce the person ceremonially clean. It was only a rash. The person's clothing must be washed, and the person will be ceremonially clean.

Leviticus 13 verses

Leviticus 13 6 Meaning

Leviticus 13:6 details the second stage of examination for a suspected skin affliction. After a week of isolation, the priest re-evaluates the individual. If the skin discoloration has faded and not spread, it indicates a minor, non-contagious condition, deemed a "scab." Based on these criteria, the priest declares the person ceremonially clean, who then must wash their clothes to finalize their purification and restore full communion with the community.

Leviticus 13 6 Context

Leviticus 13 provides detailed instructions regarding the diagnosis and management of tzara'at, a serious and contagious-like skin affliction. This chapter outlines the critical role of the priest in examining and pronouncing individuals clean or unclean. Verse 6 falls within the diagnostic procedure: if an initial suspected lesion does not spread after seven days of isolation, and appears faded, the condition is confirmed not to be the severe tzara'at. Instead, it's identified as a minor rash or "scab" (sappachat). This precise procedure protected the community from serious disease while preventing unnecessary excommunication of those with benign conditions. The underlying historical context is Israel's call to be a holy nation, separate from pagan defilement, maintaining ritual purity to approach a holy God.

Leviticus 13 6 Word analysis

• And: Hebrew waw connective, linking to the preceding actions, indicating continuation of the examination process.
• the priest: כֹּהֵן (kohen). Refers to the divinely appointed Levitical priest. His role was not to heal, but to examine, diagnose, and declare ceremonial status—clean or unclean. This highlighted divine authority channeled through human mediators in covenantal matters.
• shall examine him again: וְרָאָה (v'ra'ah) - "and he shall see," emphasizing close observation and discerning judgment. This is a repeat of the examination in Lev 13:5, showing the thorough, deliberative process.
• on the seventh day: בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי (b'yom hash'vi'i). This specific timing signifies the completion of a full week of observation, aligning with the concept of Sabbath and completion. It ensures enough time has passed to see changes in the lesion.
• and behold, if: וְהִנֵּה כָּהֲהָה (v'hinneh kahahah). "And behold" draws attention to the finding. "If" introduces the conditional diagnostic criteria.
• the infection: הַנֶּגַע (hannega). Literally "the stroke" or "the plague." In this context, refers to the skin affliction or lesion. It suggests something that God "strikes" or permits.
• has faded: כָּהֲהָה (kahahah). Meaning "to be dim, faint, obscure," or "to decrease in severity." This is the first positive sign of recovery from the affliction.
• and the infection: וְהַנֶּגַע (v'hannega). Reiteration for emphasis on the same lesion.
• has not spread: לֹא־פָשָׂה (lo-fasah). "Has not spread out," "extended," or "grown." This is the second crucial negative criterion, indicating the condition is benign.
• on the skin: בָּעוֹר (ba'or). Specific location of the lesion, referring to the outer covering of the body.
• then the priest: וְטִהֲרוֹ הַכֹּהֵן (v'ṭiharo hakkohen). Connects the favorable findings directly to the priest's subsequent action.
• shall pronounce him clean: וְטִהֲרוֹ (v'ṭiharo). From root טָהֵר (taher), "to be pure." This is a priestly declaration, a ceremonial pronouncement of purity, restoring the person to ritual acceptance, rather than necessarily a cure for an ailment (which God provides).
• it is a scab: סַפַּחַת הִוא (sappachat hiw). Sappachat means "a scab," "a rash," or "a minor eruption." This term definitively identifies the benign nature of the ailment, distinguishing it from severe tzara'at.
• And he shall wash: וְכִבֶּס (v'kibbes). From root כָּבַס (kavas), "to wash." This is the required purification act for the individual.
• his clothes: בְּגָדָיו (b'gadaw). Symbolic washing to remove any residual ritual uncleanness.
• and be clean: וְטָהֵר (v'ṭaher). Resulting state of full ceremonial purity.

Words-group analysis:

• "And the priest shall examine him again on the seventh day": This phrase underlines the precise, regulated, and thorough nature of the diagnostic process. It wasn't a rushed decision but a deliberate waiting period, showing divine wisdom in preventing misdiagnosis and safeguarding community purity. It emphasizes the priestly authority as appointed arbiters of purity.
• "and behold, if the infection has faded, and the infection has not spread on the skin": These two conditions are the core diagnostic criteria. They are negative indicators (not spreading, fading) rather than positive symptoms of serious disease. This focuses on the reduction of a suspected issue rather than its intensification. It highlights God's merciful provision for benign conditions, allowing early return to community life.
• "then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is a scab": This sequence reveals the priest's authoritative declaration based on observable evidence, identifying the minor nature ("scab") of the ailment. The declaration of "clean" is a statement of status, not a medical cure, underscoring the spiritual dimension of these laws.
• "And he shall wash his clothes, and be clean": This concluding instruction outlines the final required action by the individual, confirming personal participation in the purification process. It marks the transition from ritual uncleanness to cleanness, symbolizing separation from previous defilement and readiness for renewed community participation.

Leviticus 13 6 Bonus section

• The term tzara'at covers a range of serious, chronic skin conditions in ancient Israel, not exclusively modern Hansen's disease (leprosy). The nuanced criteria for distinguishing between different manifestations reflect God's practical concern for health and social order, alongside spiritual purity.
• The repetitive "seventh day" and multiple examinations (cf. Lev 13:5) emphasize that the priest's diagnosis was not superficial but involved a dedicated process of careful observation over time. This waiting period would often allow minor, self-limiting skin conditions to naturally clear up.
• The ritual acts prescribed in Leviticus for ceremonial uncleanness were primarily about maintaining the purity of the Israelite camp and ensuring appropriate access to the holy presence of God, rather than solely physical hygiene (though they certainly had hygienic benefits). This system visually taught the people about sin and its separating effects, and God's provision for restoration through mediated processes.

Leviticus 13 6 Commentary

Leviticus 13:6 serves as a crucial point in the elaborate diagnostic procedures for tzara'at, illustrating God's meticulous care for His people's physical and spiritual well-being. The "second look" on the seventh day reflects God's ordered process, avoiding hasty judgment and ensuring thoroughness. It teaches the importance of observation and waiting for clarification before making a final determination.

The two criteria for declaring cleanness—fading of the lesion and absence of spread—were key indicators of a non-malignant, self-resolving condition. This demonstrates the wisdom inherent in the law, distinguishing minor skin irritations (the "scab") from the severe, separating tzara'at. The priest's pronouncement was not merely a medical diagnosis but a ritual declaration, enabling the reintegration of the individual into the community and allowing access to sacred spaces. This process underscored the value of individual lives within the covenant community and the need to preserve collective holiness.

Washing clothes was a common ritual purification act, symbolizing the removal of the old state of uncleanness. This instruction bridges the priestly declaration with personal responsibility for purification. Spiritually, this passage highlights that not all "blemishes" lead to perpetual separation. There is a way back to fellowship and purity through discerning judgment and appropriate cleansing. Ultimately, in Christ, our spiritual blemishes of sin are truly diagnosed and fully cleansed, leading to complete and lasting purity.