(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, [or] in any work that is made of skin; the plague [is] a fretting leprosy; it [is] unclean.
On the seventh day he is to examine the stain; if the stain has spread on the garment, threads, woven-in parts or leather, whatever its use, the infection is a contagious tzara'at; the garment is unclean.
On the seventh day the priest shall reexamine it, and if the mildew has spread in the fabric, weave, knit, or leather, then regardless of how it is used, it is a harmful mildew; the article is unclean.
and he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in the skin, whatever service skin is used for; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean.
And he shall look{H7200} on the plague{H5061} on the seventh{H7637} day{H3117}: if the plague{H5061} be spread{H6581} in the garment{H899}, either in the warp{H8359}, or in the woof{H6154}, or in a skin{H5785}, or in any work{H4399} that is made{H6213} of skin{H5785}; the plague{H5061} is a fretting{H3992} leprosy{H6883}; it is unclean{H2931}.
Leviticus 13:51 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that deals with the diagnosis and management of skin diseases, often referred to as "leprosy" in the biblical text. The term "leprosy" in the Bible likely encompassed a variety of skin conditions, not limited to what we know today as Hansen's disease (the modern medical term for leprosy).
**Themes:**
1. **Ritual Purity and Cleanliness:** The primary theme of this verse, and the surrounding chapters, is the distinction between clean and unclean, which was crucial in maintaining ritual purity in ancient Israelite society. Ritual impurity could prevent individuals from participating in religious and community life.
2. **Isolation and Quarantine:** The detailed instructions for inspecting and dealing with skin diseases and contaminated garments reflect a concern for containing potential contagions. This is one of the earliest recorded systems of quarantine and public health management.
3. **Divine Holiness:** The regulations underscore the holiness of God and the need for His people to be holy as well (Leviticus 11:44-45). The removal of impurity from the community was a way to honor God's holiness.
4. **Priestly Role:** The process of inspection and determination of cleanness or uncleanness was carried out by the priests, highlighting their role as religious and community leaders responsible for maintaining the spiritual and physical well-being of the people.
**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The book of Leviticus is set during the time of Moses, specifically during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. The laws and regulations found in Leviticus were given to the Israelites to shape their communal and religious life as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
- **Cultural Practices:** The ancient Israelites lived in a world where disease was not well understood. The detailed procedures for dealing with skin diseases and contaminated objects reflect a practical approach to managing the unknown, as well as a spiritual understanding that linked physical ailments with concepts of sin and purity.
- **Literary Context:** Leviticus is the third book of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), which is traditionally attributed to Moses. The book is a collection of laws and rituals that were to govern the religious and social life of the Israelites.
In summary, Leviticus 13:51 is part of a broader set of instructions concerning the identification and handling of skin diseases and contaminated fabrics, emphasizing the importance of ritual purity, the role of priests, and the need to separate what is deemed unclean from the community to maintain the holiness of the people before God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)