Leviticus 13:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And if a leprosy break out abroad in the skin, and the leprosy cover all the skin of [him that hath] the plague from his head even to his foot, wheresoever the priest looketh;

Complete Jewish Bible:

If the tzara'at breaks out all over the skin, so that, as far as the cohen can see, the person with tzara'at has sores everywhere on his body, from his head to his feet;

Berean Standard Bible:

But if the skin disease breaks out all over his skin so that it covers all the skin of the infected person from head to foot, as far as the priest can see,

American Standard Version:

And if the leprosy break out abroad in the skin, and the leprosy cover all the skin of him that hath the plague from his head even to his feet, as far as appeareth to the priest;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And if a leprosy^{H6883} break out^{H6524} abroad^{H6524} in the skin^{H5785}, and the leprosy^{H6883} cover^{H3680} all the skin^{H5785} of him that hath the plague^{H5061} from his head^{H7218} even to his foot^{H7272}, wheresoever the priest^{H3548} looketh^{{H4758}{H5869}};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 13:12

1. **Themes:**
- **Ritual Purity and Impurity:** Leviticus 13:12 deals with the diagnosis of skin diseases, particularly leprosy (tzaraath in Hebrew), which rendered a person ritually impure. The concern was not only for the individual's health but also for the ritual purity of the community and the sanctuary.
- **Priestly Role:** The involvement of the priest in the examination of skin conditions underscores the religious authority's role in maintaining the health and ritual purity of the community. The priest acted as both a religious and public health official.
- **Isolation and Community Health:** The detailed descriptions of symptoms and the process of examination suggest a system of quarantine and isolation to prevent the spread of contagious diseases within the community.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The book of Leviticus is traditionally ascribed to the time of Moses, around the 13th century BCE, during the period of the Exodus and the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness. However, modern biblical scholarship often dates the composition of Leviticus to the post-exilic period, around the 5th century BCE.
- **Cultural Context:** The laws in Leviticus reflect the concerns of a society that saw a close connection between physical conditions and spiritual or ritual states. Leprosy was particularly feared due to its contagious nature and the severe disfigurement it could cause.
- **Law and Society:** The detailed regulations in Leviticus, including those for diagnosing leprosy, were part of a broader legal framework that governed the religious and social life of the Israelites. These laws were designed to set the Israelites apart from other nations and to maintain their covenant relationship with God.

In summary, Leviticus 13:12 reflects the themes of ritual purity, the role of priests in the community, and the management of contagious diseases in ancient Israel. It is set against the backdrop of Israel's formation as a nation under a unique legal and religious system given by God to Moses.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6524
   There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּרַח
   Transliteration: pârach
   Pronunciation: paw-rakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to break forth as a bud, i.e. bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish; [idiom] abroad, [idiom] abundantly, blossom, break forth (out), bud, flourish, make fly, grow, spread, spring (up).
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3680
   There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּסָה
   Transliteration: kâçâh
   Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5061
   There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶגַע
   Transliteration: negaʻ
   Pronunciation: neh'-gah
   Description: from נָגַע; a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress); plague, sore, stricken, stripe, stroke, wound.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7218
   There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֹאשׁ
   Transliteration: rôʼsh
   Pronunciation: roshe
   Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7272
   There are 232 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֶגֶל
   Transliteration: regel
   Pronunciation: reh'-gel
   Description: from רָגַל; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda; [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time.
   
8. 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.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4758
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַרְאֶה
   Transliteration: marʼeh
   Pronunciation: mar-eh'
   Description: from רָאָה; a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental) a vision; [idiom] apparently, appearance(-reth), [idiom] as soon as beautiful(-ly), countenance, fair, favoured, form, goodly, to look (up) on (to), look(-eth), pattern, to see, seem, sight, visage, vision.
   
10. Strong's Number: H5869
    There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עַיִן
    Transliteration: ʻayin
    Pronunciation: ah'-yin
    Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).