Leviticus 13:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and, behold, [if] the plague [be] somewhat dark, [and] the plague spread not in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean: it [is but] a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.

Complete Jewish Bible:

On the seventh day the cohen is to examine him again, and if the sore has faded and hasn't spread on the skin, then the cohen is to declare him clean - it is only a scab, so he is to wash his clothes and be clean.

Berean Standard Bible:

The priest will examine him again on the seventh day, and if the sore has faded and has not spread on the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is a rash. The person must wash his clothes and be clean.

American Standard Version:

and the priest shall look on him again the seventh day; and, behold, if the plague be dim, and the plague be not spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean: it is a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the priest{H3548} shall look{H7200} on him again{H8145} the seventh{H7637} day{H3117}: and, behold, if the plague{H5061} be somewhat dark{H3544}, and the plague{H5061} spread{H6581} not in the skin{H5785}, the priest{H3548} shall pronounce him clean{H2891}: it is but a scab{H4556}: and he shall wash{H3526} his clothes{H899}, and be clean{H2891}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Leviticus 11:25

  • And whosoever beareth [ought] of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 14:8

  • And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.

1 Kings 8:45

  • Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

James 3:2

  • For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body.

Isaiah 11:3

  • And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

Isaiah 11:4

  • But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Ecclesiastes 7:20

  • For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

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Commentary for Leviticus 13:6

Leviticus 13:6 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases, often referred to as leprosy in many translations. The historical context of this verse is the Israelite society in the wilderness, where the laws and rituals for maintaining health and ritual purity were being established by God through Moses.

The themes present in this verse include:

1. **Ritual Purity and Health:** The verse reflects the importance of ritual purity in ancient Israel. Skin diseases were not only seen as a health issue but also as a religious concern that could affect the community's sanctity.

2. **Priestly Role:** Priests played a crucial role as both religious and public health officials. They were responsible for diagnosing skin conditions and determining whether an individual could be considered clean or unclean.

3. **Process of Diagnosis:** The verse outlines a seven-day waiting period for the re-evaluation of a skin condition. This speaks to a methodical approach to diagnosis, allowing time to observe the progression of the disease.

4. **Isolation and Reintegration:** The concern for contagion is evident, as those with spreading skin diseases were isolated. Conversely, if the condition did not worsen, the individual could be reintegrated into the community.

5. **Cleansing Rituals:** The requirement for the individual to wash their clothes and be pronounced clean indicates a cleansing ritual, which was necessary for someone to be considered ritually pure.

6. **Distinction Between Diseases:** The verse differentiates between serious conditions that could render a person unclean and minor ailments like a scab that did not necessitate exclusion from the community.

In summary, Leviticus 13:6 reflects the intersection of health, ritual, and community order in ancient Israel, with priests serving as key figures in maintaining the health and purity standards set by God. It also highlights early principles of public health, including observation, diagnosis, and quarantine.

*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: H8145
    There are 151 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֵׁנִי
    Transliteration: shênîy
    Pronunciation: shay-nee'
    Description: from שָׁנָה; properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again; again, either (of them), (an-) other, second (time).
  4. Strong's Number: H7637
    There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שְׁבִיעִי
    Transliteration: shᵉbîyʻîy
    Pronunciation: sheb-ee-ee'
    Description: or שְׁבִעִי; ordinal from שִׁבְעִים; seventh; seventh (time).
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Strong's Number: H6581
    There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּשָׂה
    Transliteration: pâsâh
    Pronunciation: paw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to spread; spread.
  9. 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.
  10. Strong's Number: H2891
    There are 79 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: טָהֵר
    Transliteration: ṭâhêr
    Pronunciation: taw-hare'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to be bright; i.e. (by implication); to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy); be (make, make self, pronounce) clean, cleanse (self), purge, purify(-ier, self).
  11. Strong's Number: H4556
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִסְפַּחַת
    Transliteration: miçpachath
    Pronunciation: mis-pakh'-ath
    Description: from סָפַח; scruf (as spreading over the surface); scab.
  12. Strong's Number: H3526
    There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כָּבַס
    Transliteration: kâbaç
    Pronunciation: kaw-bas'
    Description: a primitive root; to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative; fuller, wash(-ing).
  13. Strong's Number: H899
    There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֶּגֶד
    Transliteration: beged
    Pronunciation: behg'-ed
    Description: from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.