Leviticus 13:14

KJV

But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.

KJV (with Strong's)

But when {H3117} raw {H2416} flesh {H1320} appeareth {H7200} in him, he shall be unclean {H2930}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if one day inflamed flesh appears on him, he will be unclean.

Berean Standard Bible

But whenever raw flesh appears on someone, he will be unclean.

American Standard Version

But whensoever raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 13:14 presents a critical diagnostic criterion within the elaborate Mosaic laws concerning *tzara'at*, a severe skin affliction. While a person completely covered in white *tzara'at* was declared ritually clean, the reappearance or presence of "raw flesh" within the affected area immediately rendered the individual unclean. This distinction was vital for the priestly diagnosis, signifying an active, unhealed, and potentially infectious state, thus necessitating separation from the community to preserve its ritual purity and public health.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 13 details the comprehensive priestly instructions for diagnosing and managing *tzara'at*. The preceding verses, [Leviticus 13:1-11](/leviticus/13-1 "Leviticus 13:1-11 - Initial Diagnosis of Tzara'at"), outline various symptoms and procedures for determining if a skin eruption was indeed *tzara'at*. Crucially, [Leviticus 13:12-13](/leviticus/13-12 "Leviticus 13:12-13 - The Paradox of Complete Whiteness") introduce a seemingly counter-intuitive rule: if the *tzara'at* spread to cover the entire body, turning the skin completely white from head to foot, the priest was to declare the person clean. This indicated the disease had run its course, was no longer active, or had reached a non-infectious, perhaps dormant, stage. However, [Leviticus 13:14](/leviticus/13-14 "Leviticus 13:14 - The Reappearance of Raw Flesh") immediately follows as a critical caveat, establishing that the presence of "raw flesh" within this otherwise "clean" white condition would reverse the diagnosis, rendering the individual unclean. This highlights the dynamic and precise nature of the priestly diagnostic process.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The laws concerning *tzara'at* (often translated "leprosy" but encompassing a broader range of severe skin conditions, possibly including psoriasis, vitiligo, or fungal infections, not just modern Hansen's disease) were paramount for the ancient Israelite community. Living in close quarters, maintaining public health was a practical necessity, and these laws served as a divine quarantine system. Beyond the physical, *tzara'at* carried profound ritual and spiritual implications, often viewed as a manifestation of sin or divine judgment, leading to ritual impurity and social ostracization. The priest's role, as outlined in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at"), was not merely medical but primarily theological and judicial, determining an individual's ritual status and their ability to participate in communal worship and life. The meticulous distinctions, such as that between complete whiteness and the presence of raw flesh, underscore God's concern for both the physical well-being and the ritual purity of His covenant people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Raw Flesh (Hebrew, _basar chay'_):** This phrase, literally "living flesh" or "fresh flesh," is crucial. In the context of *tzara'at*, it refers to unhealed, exposed, or festering tissue, indicating an active, uncontained, and potentially infectious stage of the affliction. Its presence signifies that the disease had not run its course or was not dormant, distinguishing it sharply from the completely white, seemingly healed or inactive state. The contrast between "raw flesh" and "white" skin is central to the diagnostic logic of [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at").
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _tameh'_):** This term denotes a state of ritual impurity. In the Mosaic Law, being *tameh* meant a person was temporarily separated from the community and unable to participate in sacred worship or touch holy things. It did not necessarily imply moral failing but a ritual status that required specific purification rites (e.g., as detailed in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Cleansing of a Leper")). In [Leviticus 13:14](/leviticus/13-14 "Leviticus 13:14 - The Unclean Status"), the declaration of "unclean" for the presence of raw flesh underscored the contagious and defiling nature of the active *tzara'at*, necessitating strict isolation to protect the holiness of the camp.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when raw flesh appeareth in him":** This clause sets the condition for uncleanness. It refers to the visible presence of unhealed, active tissue within the affected area of *tzara'at*. This "raw flesh" is the decisive indicator that the disease is not dormant or fully run its course, even if the rest of the body is covered in white *tzara'at*. The priest's careful observation for this specific symptom was paramount.
* **"he shall be unclean":** This is the consequence of the "raw flesh" appearing. The individual is immediately declared ritually impure. This declaration by the priest carried significant weight, leading to social isolation and exclusion from the community until the condition changed or specific purification rituals could be performed. It underscores the severity of the active *tzara'at* and its defiling effect on the individual's ritual status.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Contrast** and **Symbolism**. The immediate juxtaposition of [Leviticus 13:12-13](/leviticus/13-12 "Leviticus 13:12-13 - Complete Whiteness is Clean") with [Leviticus 13:14](/leviticus/13-14 "Leviticus 13:14 - Raw Flesh is Unclean") creates a sharp **contrast** between two states of *tzara'at*: complete whiteness (clean) versus the presence of "raw flesh" (unclean). This highlights the meticulous nature of the law and the critical importance of specific details in diagnosis. Furthermore, "raw flesh" functions as **symbolism** for an active, festering, and uncontained condition, representing not just physical disease but also, in a broader theological sense, the unaddressed or active presence of sin or spiritual brokenness that prevents true healing and fellowship with God. The priest's discerning eye for this detail symbolizes God's own meticulous gaze upon the inner state of His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 13:14 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous concern for holiness, order, and the well-being of His people, both physically and spiritually. The distinction between a "clean" full-body white affliction and an "unclean" condition marked by "raw flesh" emphasizes that true healing and purity involve a complete and settled state, not an active, festering one. The presence of "raw flesh" signified an ongoing defilement, requiring separation to protect the community's holiness. This principle extends beyond physical disease to spiritual realities, reminding us that unaddressed, active sin ("raw flesh" in our souls) renders us spiritually unclean and hinders our fellowship with a holy God and His people. God desires a people wholly consecrated and healed, not those harboring active corruption.

* [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness")
* [1 John 1:8-10](/1_john/1-8 "1 John 1:8-10 - Confession of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed regulations in Leviticus 13, particularly the nuanced distinction in [Leviticus 13:14](/leviticus/13-14 "Leviticus 13:14 - The Unclean Status"), offer profound spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as "raw flesh" indicated an active, unhealed, and defiling condition in ancient Israel, so too can unconfessed or unaddressed sin in our lives represent a spiritual "raw flesh." While God's grace covers us, deliberately unconfessed sin or unrepentant attitudes can fester, hindering our spiritual vitality, fellowship with God, and our witness to the world. True spiritual health and purity require us to allow the Holy Spirit, our divine "Priest," to examine our hearts, exposing any "raw flesh" of sin, bitterness, or unrighteousness. We are called to honesty before God, confessing our sins so that we can be cleansed and restored to full fellowship, reflecting His holiness in our lives. This meticulous care of God for His people's purity should inspire us to pursue holiness with diligence and humility.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "raw flesh" (unaddressed sin, unhealed wounds, or unrepentant attitudes) might be present in my own life, hindering my spiritual purity and fellowship with God?**
* **How does God's meticulous concern for physical and ritual purity in the Old Testament inform my understanding of His desire for spiritual holiness in my life today?**
* **In what ways can I invite the "Priest" (the Holy Spirit) to examine the "skin" of my soul, ensuring I am not harboring active spiritual "disease"?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of "raw flesh" in diagnosing *tzara'at*?**

Answer: The presence of "raw flesh" (Hebrew: *basar chay*) was the critical indicator that the *tzara'at* was active, unhealed, and potentially infectious. Unlike the condition where the entire body was covered in white (which surprisingly rendered a person clean, suggesting the disease had run its course or was dormant), "raw flesh" signified an ongoing, festering, and potentially contagious state. This distinction was vital for the priest to determine ritual purity and whether the individual needed to be quarantined from the community to prevent the spread of the affliction and maintain the camp's ritual holiness, as detailed in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at").

**Why was a person completely covered in white *tzara'at* declared clean, while "raw flesh" made them unclean?**

Answer: This seemingly paradoxical rule highlights the precise nature of the Mosaic law. When *tzara'at* covered the entire body, turning it completely white, it was interpreted as the disease having run its full course, implying it was no longer active, progressive, or infectious. It was a sign of a "settled" condition, perhaps even a form of healing or dormancy. However, the reappearance or presence of "raw flesh" within this white area indicated an active, unhealed, and potentially contagious lesion. It meant the disease was still "alive" and festering, thus rendering the individual ritually unclean and requiring immediate separation, as stated in [Leviticus 13:14](/leviticus/13-14 "Leviticus 13:14 - The Reappearance of Raw Flesh"). This distinction was crucial for both public health and ritual purity within the Israelite camp.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 13:14, with its stark contrast between the "clean" state of complete whiteness and the "unclean" state of "raw flesh," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament laws concerning *tzara'at* served as a powerful shadow of sin's defiling power and the need for divine intervention to restore purity and fellowship. Humanity, in its fallen state, is riddled with spiritual "raw flesh"—active, festering sin that separates us from a holy God. No amount of outward conformity or self-righteous "whiteness" could truly cleanse this inner corruption. Jesus, the Great Physician, is the only one who can truly heal our spiritual *tzara'at*. He touched the leper, a forbidden act under the Mosaic Law, and instantly made him clean ([Matthew 8:3](/matthew/8-3 "Matthew 8:3 - Jesus Cleanses a Leper")). Unlike the Old Covenant priests who could only diagnose and declare, Christ possesses the power to cleanse and transform. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering a complete and lasting cleansing that goes beyond ritual purity to radical spiritual transformation. Through His sacrifice, our "raw flesh" of sin is not merely covered but truly healed, allowing us to stand holy and blameless before God, fully integrated into His community, the church ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.