(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he that hath his hair fallen off from the part of his head toward his face, he [is] forehead bald: [yet is] he clean.
If his hair has fallen off the front part of his head, he is forehead-bald; but he is clean.
Or if his hairline recedes and he is bald on his forehead, he is still clean.
And if his hair be fallen off from the front part of his head, he is forehead bald; yet is he clean.
And he that hath his hair fallen{H4803} off from the part{H6285} of his head{H7218} toward his face{H6440}, he is forehead bald{H1371}: yet is he clean{H2889}.
1. **Themes:**
- **Ritual Purity and Cleanliness:** Leviticus 13:41 is part of a larger section dealing with skin diseases and conditions that could render a person ritually unclean. The theme revolves around the distinction between clean and unclean states, which was crucial for the religious and social life of the Israelites.
- **Health and Community Safety:** The detailed regulations about skin conditions and hair loss were also practical measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the community.
- **Divine Holiness:** The emphasis on cleanliness was a reflection of the holiness of God, who commanded the Israelites to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45). This included maintaining physical as well as moral and spiritual purity.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Tabernacle/Temple System:** These laws were given in the context of the tabernacle (and later the temple) worship, where access to God's presence required a state of ritual purity.
- **Israel's Wilderness Journey:** Leviticus was written during the time when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, before they entered the Promised Land. The book provides instructions for how they were to live as a holy nation set apart for God.
- **Priestly Code:** The regulations in Leviticus, including those about skin diseases, are often referred to as part of the "Priestly Code," which contains detailed laws and rituals that the priests were to follow and enforce.
In summary, Leviticus 13:41 reflects the theme of maintaining ritual purity as a reflection of divine holiness and for the well-being of the community. It is set within the historical context of Israel's formation as a nation distinctly devoted to God, with elaborate rules and rituals to govern their religious and daily life.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)