Leviticus 13:26

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But if the priest look on it, and, behold, [there be] no white hair in the bright spot, and it [be] no lower than the [other] skin, but [be] somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:

Complete Jewish Bible:

But if the cohen examines it and sees no white hair in the bright spot, and it is no lower than the skin around it but looks faded, then the cohen is to isolate him for seven days.

Berean Standard Bible:

But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in the spot, and it is not beneath the skin but 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 hair in the bright spot, and it be no 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} hair^{H8181} in the bright spot^{H934}, and it be no lower^{H8217} than the other 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 13:26

Leviticus 13:26 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that deals with laws concerning skin diseases and leprosy. The historical context of this verse is the Israelite's wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, during which God gave Moses various laws to govern the community's religious and social life, including health and hygiene.

The themes of this verse include:

1. **Ritual Purity and Cleanliness**: The ancient Israelites had strict rules about what was considered clean and unclean, which were important for maintaining the ritual purity of the community and the tabernacle (later the Temple). Leprosy, or any skin disease, was considered a significant impurity.

2. **Priestly Authority**: The priests, particularly the Levites, were given the authority to diagnose skin diseases and determine the status of individuals in terms of ritual cleanliness. This verse illustrates the role of the priest as an intermediary between the people and God in matters of health and purity.

3. **Quarantine and Observation**: The verse outlines a period of seven days during which an individual with a suspicious skin mark is to be isolated. This practice of quarantine is an early form of public health measure to prevent the potential spread of disease within the community.

4. **Diagnosis and Discretion**: The detailed description of the skin condition suggests a careful diagnostic process. The absence of white hair and the lack of depth in the skin spot are signs that the condition may not be leprosy. The priest is instructed to exercise discernment rather than jumping to conclusions about the nature of the skin disease.

In summary, Leviticus 13:26 reflects the Israelites' concern for ritual purity, their reliance on priestly authority for health matters, and the implementation of quarantine practices. It also underscores the importance of careful observation and diagnosis in the management of suspected contagious diseases.

*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: H934
   There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֹּהֶרֶת
   Transliteration: bôhereth
   Pronunciation: bo-heh'-reth
   Description: feminine active participle of the same as בָּהִיר; a whitish spot on the skin; bright spot.
   
6. 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).
   
7. 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.
   
8. 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.
   
9. 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.
   
10. 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.
    
11. 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.