Leviticus 13:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But if the priest look on it, and, behold, [there be] no white hairs therein, and [if] it [be] not lower than the skin, but [be] somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:

Complete Jewish Bible:

But if the cohen looks at it and doesn't see any white hairs in it, and it isn't more than skin-deep but appears faded, the cohen is to isolate him for seven days.

Berean Standard Bible:

But when the priest examines it, if there is no white hair in it, and it is not beneath the skin and has faded, the priest shall isolate him for seven days.

American Standard Version:

But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hairs therein, and it be not lower than the skin, but be dim; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But if the priest^{H3548} look^{H7200} on it, and, behold, there be no white^{H3836} hairs^{H8181} therein, and if it be not lower^{H8217} than the skin^{H5785}, but be somewhat dark^{H3544}; then the priest^{H3548} shall shut^{H5462} him up seven^{H7651} days^{H3117}:

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Commentary for Leviticus 13:21

1. **Themes:**
- **Ritual Purity and Health:** The verse is part of a larger section in Leviticus dealing with skin diseases, often translated as leprosy, though it likely encompasses a range of skin conditions. The primary theme is maintaining the ritual purity and health of the community by identifying and managing such conditions.
- **Role of the Priest:** The involvement of the priest in diagnosing skin conditions underscores the religious significance of health and purity. The priest acts as both a spiritual and medical authority, determining an individual's status in the community.
- **Isolation and Quarantine:** The instructions for shutting up the affected individual for seven days reflect a practice of quarantine, which is a theme of protecting the community from potential contagions.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** Leviticus is set in the time of Moses, during the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt, though the book itself was likely written and compiled over a long period and reached its final form well after the events it describes.
- **Holiness Code:** Leviticus 13 is part of the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26), which details various laws and rituals to ensure the holiness of the Israelite community, reflecting the belief that God dwells among them.
- **Cultural Practices:** The detailed descriptions of skin conditions and the procedures for dealing with them reflect the ancient Israelites' understanding of disease and their approach to public health. The text assumes that skin diseases not only have physical implications but also ritual ones, affecting a person's ability to participate in religious and community life.
- **Social Structure:** The priestly role in diagnosing and managing diseases highlights the intertwining of religious and civic authority in ancient Israelite society.

In summary, Leviticus 13:21 addresses the priestly examination of skin conditions and the protocol for suspected cases that do not present clear symptoms. It reflects themes of ritual purity, the intersection of religious and medical authority, and community health practices in ancient Israelite society.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3836
   There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָבָן
   Transliteration: lâbân
   Pronunciation: law-bawn'
   Description: or (Genesis 49:12) לָבֵן; from לָבַן; white; white.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8181
   There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׂעָר
   Transliteration: sêʻâr
   Pronunciation: say-awr'
   Description: or שַׂעַר; (Isaiah 7:20), from שָׂעַר in the sense of dishevelling; hair (as if tossed or bristling); hair(-y), [idiom] rough.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8217
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁפָל
   Transliteration: shâphâl
   Pronunciation: shaw-fawl'
   Description: from שָׁפֵל; depressed, literally or figuratively; base(-st), humble, low(-er, -ly).
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3544
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֵּהֶה
   Transliteration: kêheh
   Pronunciation: kay-heh'
   Description: from כָּהָה; feeble, obscure; somewhat dark, darkish, wax dim, heaviness, smoking.
   
8. 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.
   
9. Strong's Number: H7651
   There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁבַע
   Transliteration: shebaʻ
   Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
   Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3117
    There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יוֹם
    Transliteration: yôwm
    Pronunciation: yome
    Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.