King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And if the priest look on the plague of the scall, and, behold, it [be] not in sight deeper than the skin, and [that there is] no black hair in it; then the priest shall shut up [him that hath] the plague of the scall seven days:
Complete Jewish Bible:
If the cohen examines the diseased crusted area and sees that it appears not to be deeper than the skin around it, and without any black hair in it, then the cohen is to isolate for seven days the person with the diseased crusted area.
Berean Standard Bible:
But if the priest examines the scaly infection and it does not appear to be deeper than the skin, and there is no black hair in it, the priest shall isolate the infected person for seven days.
American Standard Version:
And if the priest look on the plague of the scall, and, behold, the appearance thereof be not deeper than the skin, and there be no black hair in it, then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague of the scall seven days:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And if the priest{H3548} look{H7200} on the plague{H5061} of the scall{H5424}, and, behold, it be not in sight{H4758} deeper{H6013} than the skin{H5785}, and that there is no black{H7838} hair{H8181} in it; then the priest{H3548} shall shut{H5462} up him that hath the plague{H5061} of the scall{H5424} seven{H7651} days{H3117}:
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Leviticus 13:31
1. **Themes:**
- **Ritual Purity and Health:** Leviticus 13:31 is part of a larger section in the book that deals with laws concerning skin diseases, which were considered a threat to the ritual purity of the community. The verses reflect the importance of maintaining health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
- **Role of Priests:** The involvement of priests in the diagnosis and management of skin conditions underscores their role as religious and community health leaders. Their authority extends beyond spiritual matters to the physical well-being of the people.
- **Isolation and Quarantine:** The instruction to shut up or isolate an individual with a skin condition for seven days introduces the concept of quarantine, a practice still relevant in modern infectious disease control.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The Book of Leviticus is set in the time of Moses, shortly after the Exodus from Egypt, when the Israelites were wandering in the Sinai desert.
- **Purpose of Laws:** These laws were given to the newly formed nation of Israel to distinguish them from other nations and to establish a system of holiness and purity. The detailed instructions for identifying and dealing with skin diseases would have been essential for maintaining the health of a nomadic people living in close quarters.
- **Cultural Significance:** In the ancient Near Eastern context, skin diseases were often associated with divine disfavor or punishment. The priests' role in diagnosing and managing these conditions would have had religious as well as social implications.
In summary, Leviticus 13:31 reflects the themes of ritual purity, the role of priests in community health, and the practice of isolation to prevent the spread of disease. It is set against the backdrop of the Israelites' formation as a nation, with laws designed to promote their distinct identity and well-being.
*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: 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: 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H5424
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶתֶק
Transliteration: netheq
Pronunciation: neh'-thek
Description: from נָתַק; scurf; (dry) scall. - 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. - Strong's Number: H6013
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָמֹק
Transliteration: ʻâmôq
Pronunciation: aw-moke'
Description: from עָמַק; deep (literally or figuratively); ([idiom] exceeding) deep (thing). - 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: H7838
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁחֹר
Transliteration: shâchôr
Pronunciation: shaw-khore'
Description: or שָׁחוֹר; from שָׁחַר; properly, dusky, but also (absol.) jetty; black. - 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. - 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: 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. - 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.