King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And if it spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it [is] a plague.
Complete Jewish Bible:
If it spreads on the skin, the cohen is to declare him unclean; it is the disease.
Berean Standard Bible:
If it spreads any further on the skin, the priest must pronounce him unclean; it is an infection.
American Standard Version:
and if it spread abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And if it spread much{H6581} abroad{H6581} in the skin{H5785}, then the priest{H3548} shall pronounce him unclean{H2930}: it is a plague{H5061}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Leviticus 13:22
Leviticus 13:22 is part of a detailed set of regulations concerning skin diseases, which in Hebrew is referred to as "tzaraath." These regulations were given to the priests (Kohanim) to help them determine the ritual purity or impurity of an individual. The historical context of this verse is the period of the Israelites in the wilderness, after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land, when God gave Moses the laws that would govern the religious and social life of the nation.
The themes of Leviticus 13:22 include:
1. **Ritual Purity and Impurity**: The verses in Leviticus 13 provide guidelines for the priests to assess various skin conditions. If a skin disease spread extensively, it was declared a "plague" (nega), and the person was considered ritually impure (tamei). Ritual impurity was not necessarily about hygiene or moral corruption but was a ceremonial status that could prevent participation in religious activities and communal life until the person was pronounced clean.
2. **Role of the Priesthood**: The priests acted as intermediaries between God and the people, responsible for diagnosing skin diseases and determining the individual's status. This reflects the broader role of the priesthood in maintaining the ritual health of the community.
3. **Separation and Reintegration**: Individuals deemed impure were often isolated from the camp or community until they were healed, to prevent the spread of impurity. Once healed, a process of purification was necessary for their reintegration into society.
4. **Health and Holiness**: The detailed attention to symptoms and the declaration of a "plague" suggest a connection between health and holiness. The Israelites were to be a holy nation, and part of maintaining that holiness involved careful attention to physical afflictions, which could have symbolic significance in their relationship with God.
5. **Divine Order**: The laws regarding skin diseases and other regulations in Leviticus were part of a larger system of divine order. This system was intended to set the Israelites apart from other nations and to teach them about the importance of obedience to God's commands.
In summary, Leviticus 13:22 reflects the importance of ritual purity in the religious life of ancient Israel, the role of priests in maintaining community health and holiness, and the need for separation and reintegration of individuals based on their ritual status. These laws were part of a broader legal and ritual framework that God provided to the Israelites to shape their identity as a distinct and holy people.
*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: H6581
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּשָׂה
Transliteration: pâsâh
Pronunciation: paw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to spread; spread. - 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: 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: 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.