King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
It [is] an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up: for he [is] unclean.
Complete Jewish Bible:
then it is chronic tzara'at on his skin, and the cohen is to declare him unclean; he is not to isolate him, because it is already clear that he is unclean.
Berean Standard Bible:
it is a chronic skin disease and the priest must pronounce him unclean. He need not isolate him, for he is unclean.
American Standard Version:
it is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean: he shall not shut him up; for he is unclean.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
It is an old{H3462} leprosy{H6883} in the skin{H5785} of his flesh{H1320}, and the priest{H3548} shall pronounce him unclean{H2930}, and shall not shut{H5462} him up: for he is unclean{H2931}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Leviticus 13:11
1. **Themes:**
- **Ritual Purity and Cleanliness:** Leviticus 13:11 deals with the regulations concerning skin diseases, particularly leprosy, which was considered to render a person ritually impure. The verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining the ritual purity of the community by isolating those with infectious skin diseases.
- **Role of the Priest:** The verse underscores the priest's role as the religious authority responsible for diagnosing skin conditions and determining the individual's ritual status. The priest's declaration of "unclean" had significant social implications, as it would affect the individual's ability to participate in religious and community life.
- **Caring for the Sick:** While the individual is declared unclean, the verse suggests that the person does not need to be shut up or isolated if the leprosy is determined to be old and stable. This indicates a level of compassion and practical management of the condition, balancing the need to prevent the spread of disease with the welfare of the afflicted.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Israelite Society:** The book of Leviticus is set during the time of Moses, after the Exodus from Egypt and before the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land. It contains laws and regulations given by God to Moses for the Israelite community, covering various aspects of religious, social, and personal life.
- **Health and Hygiene:** In the ancient world, including Israelite society, diseases like leprosy were poorly understood and feared. They carried significant social stigma. The detailed instructions in Leviticus for dealing with such conditions reflect both a practical approach to public health and a religious understanding of purity and holiness.
- **Cultic Purity:** The laws in Leviticus, including those on leprosy, were part of a larger system of cultic purity that was essential for the Israelites' relationship with God. Being ritually clean was a prerequisite for participating in religious ceremonies and for living in proximity to the sanctuary, which was considered the dwelling place of God among His people.
In summary, Leviticus 13:11 reflects the themes of ritual purity, the role of religious authorities, and the balance between community health and individual care within the historical context of early Israelite society and its religious practices.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3462
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשֵׁן
Transliteration: yâshên
Pronunciation: yaw-shane'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to be slack or languid, i.e. (by implication) sleep (figuratively, to die); also to grow old, stale or inveterate; old (store), remain long, (make to) sleep. - Strong's Number: H6883
There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָרַעַת
Transliteration: tsâraʻath
Pronunciation: tsaw-rah'-ath
Description: from צָרַע; leprosy; leprosy. - Strong's Number: H5785
There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עוֹר
Transliteration: ʻôwr
Pronunciation: ore
Description: from עוּר; skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather; hide, leather, skin. - Strong's Number: H1320
There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּשָׂר
Transliteration: bâsâr
Pronunciation: baw-sawr'
Description: from בָּשַׂר; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman; body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. - Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - Strong's Number: H2930
There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טָמֵא
Transliteration: ṭâmêʼ
Pronunciation: taw-may'
Description: a primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated); defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H5462
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָגַר
Transliteration: çâgar
Pronunciation: saw-gar'
Description: a primitive root; to shut up; figuratively, to surrender; close up, deliver (up), give over (up), inclose, [idiom] pure, repair, shut (in, self, out, up, up together), stop, [idiom] straitly. - Strong's Number: H2931
There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טָמֵא
Transliteration: ṭâmêʼ
Pronunciation: taw-may'
Description: from טָמֵא; foul in a religious sense; defiled, [phrase] infamous, polluted(-tion), unclean.