(The Lord speaking is red text)
This [is] the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.
This is the law concerning infections of tzara'at in a garment of wool or linen, or in the threads or the woven-in parts, or in any leather item - when to declare it clean and when to declare it unclean.
This is the law concerning a mildew contamination in wool or linen fabric, weave, or knit, or any leather article, for pronouncing it clean or unclean.”
This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp, or the woof, or anything of skin, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.
This is the law{H8451} of the plague{H5061} of leprosy{H6883} in a garment{H899} of woollen{H6785} or linen{H6593}, either in the warp{H8359}, or woof{H6154}, or any thing{H3627} of skins{H5785}, to pronounce it clean{H2891}, or to pronounce it unclean{H2930}.
1. **Themes:**
- **Ritual Purity and Impurity:** The verse emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between clean and unclean items, which is a central theme in Leviticus. This distinction is crucial for maintaining the ritual purity of the community and the sanctity of the Tabernacle.
- **Divine Order:** The detailed instructions for assessing garments reflect a broader theme of order and holiness as mandated by God for His people.
- **Responsibility and Obedience:** The directive to priests to examine and pronounce judgment on the garments underscores the responsibility of religious leaders to uphold divine law and the community's obligation to obey these regulations.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** Leviticus is set during the time of Moses, shortly after the Exodus from Egypt, when the Israelites are receiving the Law at Mount Sinai.
- **Cultural Practices:** The ancient Israelites lived in a world where diseases like leprosy were poorly understood and feared. The detailed laws regarding leprosy reflect both a practical approach to containing what was thought to be a contagious disease and a symbolic system for understanding the presence of God and His holiness.
- **Priestly Role:** The priests served not only as religious leaders but also as community health officials. They were responsible for inspecting and determining the status of potentially contaminated items, guiding the people in maintaining purity before God.
- **Literary Context:** Leviticus 13 deals extensively with the diagnosis and management of skin diseases, including leprosy, and the associated rituals for declaring someone or something clean or unclean. Leviticus 13:59 specifically addresses the application of these laws to fabrics, which could also be affected by a leprosy-like condition.
In summary, Leviticus 13:59 encapsulates the broader themes of purity, divine order, and obedience found within the legal framework of the Pentateuch. It reflects the historical context of the Israelites' journey towards nationhood, with an intricate system of laws designed to set them apart as a holy people, directly overseen by their priests in accordance with God's commandments.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)