Leviticus 13:43

KJV

Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, [if] the rising of the sore [be] white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the priest {H3548} shall look {H7200} upon it: and, behold, if the rising {H7613} of the sore {H5061} be white {H3836} reddish {H125} in his bald head {H7146}, or in his bald forehead {H1372}, as the leprosy {H6883} appeareth {H4758} in the skin {H5785} of the flesh {H1320};

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the cohen is to examine him; if he sees that there is a reddish-white swelling on his bald scalp or forehead, appearing like tzara'at on the rest of the body,

Berean Standard Bible

The priest is to examine him, and if the swelling of the infection on his bald head or forehead is reddish-white like a skin disease,

American Standard Version

Then the priest shall look upon him; and, behold, if the rising of the plague be reddish-white in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the appearance of leprosy in the skin of the flesh;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 13:43 details a specific diagnostic criterion for _tzara'at_, a severe skin affliction, focusing on the appearance of a "white reddish" sore on a bald head or forehead. This verse is part of an extensive legal code within the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the priest's critical role in identifying ritual impurity and maintaining the health and holiness of the Israelite community, thereby underscoring God's meticulous concern for His people's well-being and their separation unto Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus chapters 13 and 14 form a comprehensive legal corpus dedicated entirely to the diagnosis, isolation, and purification rites associated with _tzara'at_. This condition, often translated as "leprosy," encompassed a broader range of severe skin diseases than modern Hansen's disease, and even extended to mildew on garments and houses, as seen in [Leviticus 14:34](/leviticus/14-34 "Leviticus 14:34 - Laws for mildew in houses"). These chapters are strategically placed within the book of Leviticus, which primarily outlines the laws of holiness and purity necessary for Israel to dwell in God's presence at the tabernacle. The meticulous detail in these regulations, including the specific symptoms described in [Leviticus 13:43](/leviticus/13-43 "Leviticus 13:43 - Diagnostic criteria for tzara'at"), highlights the seriousness with which God viewed anything that compromised the community's ritual purity and thus their ability to approach Him. The preceding verses in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws concerning tzara'at") describe various manifestations of _tzara'at_ on the skin, and this particular verse addresses its appearance on the scalp, demonstrating the exhaustive nature of the priestly examination.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, _tzara'at_ was not merely a medical condition but carried profound social, ritual, and theological implications. Unlike modern medical diagnoses, the purpose of these laws was primarily to maintain the ritual purity of the camp and prevent the spread of impurity, which could defile the sacred space where God resided. The priest, acting as both a public health official and a spiritual diagnostician, was the sole authority responsible for examining the afflicted, declaring them clean or unclean, and overseeing the subsequent rites. This role is first introduced in [Leviticus 13:2](/leviticus/13-2 "Leviticus 13:2 - The priest's initial examination"). An individual declared unclean due to _tzara'at_ was required to live outside the camp, as stipulated in [Leviticus 13:46](/leviticus/13-46 "Leviticus 13:46 - Isolation of the unclean"). This isolation protected the community from both physical contagion and ritual defilement, serving as a tangible reminder of the consequences of impurity and the necessity of holiness in the presence of a holy God. The specific mention of "bald head" or "bald forehead" in [Leviticus 13:43](/leviticus/13-43 "Leviticus 13:43 - Baldness and tzara'at") indicates that no part of the body was exempt from the priest's scrutiny, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the purity laws.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kohen'_):** The Hebrew term כֹּהֵן (_kohen_) refers to the designated religious official from the tribe of Levi, specifically the lineage of Aaron, who mediated between God and the people. In the context of _tzara'at_ laws, the priest's role was not to heal the disease (which was seen as a divine affliction or judgment) but to meticulously examine and diagnose the condition, declare the individual ritually clean or unclean, and oversee the subsequent purification or isolation protocols. This highlights his authority in matters of ritual purity and his responsibility to uphold the sanctity of the community.
* **Rising of the sore (Hebrew, _se'et'_):** The word שְׂאֵת (_se'et_), meaning "rising" or "swelling," specifically describes a raised lesion or eruption on the skin. In the context of _tzara'at_, this "rising" was a key diagnostic indicator, distinguishing it from other skin conditions. Its presence, combined with specific color changes, was crucial for the priest's determination of ritual uncleanness. This term emphasizes the visible, palpable nature of the affliction that the priest was tasked with observing.
* **White reddish (Hebrew, _lavan adamdam'_):** The precise color description לָבָן אֲדַמְדָּם (_lavan adamdam_) is a critical diagnostic detail. It signifies a specific hue—a whitish lesion with a reddish tinge—that indicated an active and severe stage of _tzara'at_. This meticulous detail underscores the precision required of the priest's examination, as slight variations in color or appearance could mean the difference between a declaration of clean or unclean, isolation or restoration. The combination of white (often associated with death or decay in biblical imagery) and reddish (suggesting inflammation or life-blood) creates a distinct and alarming visual sign.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the priest shall look upon it":** This opening clause re-emphasizes the priest's indispensable role as the authoritative diagnostician. His "looking" (רָאָה, _ra'ah_) implies a careful, discerning examination, not a casual glance. It underscores the gravity of the situation and the weight of his judgment in determining the individual's status within the community.
* **"and, behold, [if] the rising of the sore [be] white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead,"** This specifies the exact location and appearance of the lesion that constitutes a positive diagnosis for _tzara'at_ on the scalp. The "rising of the sore" (שְׂאֵת, _se'et_) must exhibit the distinct "white reddish" (לָבָן אֲדַמְדָּם, _lavan adamdam_) coloration. The mention of "bald head" (קָרַחַת, _karachat_) and "bald forehead" (גַּבַּחַת, _gabbachat_) indicates that even areas without hair were subject to the same rigorous inspection, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the body.
* **"as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;"** This concluding phrase establishes a crucial comparison, stating that the appearance of the _tzara'at_ on the bald scalp must be consistent with how it manifests on the general "skin of the flesh" (עוֹר הַבָּשָׂר, _'or habbasar_). It serves as a diagnostic benchmark, ensuring that the priest applies the same criteria for _tzara'at_ regardless of the affected body part, reinforcing the uniform and meticulous nature of the examination.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 13:43, like the broader _tzara'at_ laws, employs several literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the physical manifestation of _tzara'at_ serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual impurity and sin. Just as the disease separated an individual from the community and the tabernacle, so too does sin separate humanity from a holy God. The meticulous diagnostic criteria, including the "white reddish" appearance, function as a form of **Metonymy**, where the specific symptom stands for the entire condition of _tzara'at_ and its associated uncleanness. The repeated emphasis on the priest's role throughout chapters 13 and 14, including his specific "looking upon it" in this verse, highlights the **Authority** vested in this office for maintaining ritual purity. Furthermore, the detailed, almost clinical descriptions found throughout this chapter, including the precise color and location in this verse, exemplify **Legal Precision**, typical of biblical law, ensuring clarity and minimizing ambiguity in critical matters of purity and community health.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 13:43, embedded within the broader laws of _tzara'at_, profoundly underscores God's absolute holiness and His demand for purity within His covenant community. The meticulous regulations for diagnosing and isolating _tzara'at_ reveal that impurity, whether physical or ritual, was a serious impediment to fellowship with a holy God and a threat to the sanctity of the camp where His presence dwelt. The separation of the afflicted individual served as a stark, visible reminder of the consequences of defilement and the necessity of a pure people to approach a pure God. This physical separation foreshadows the spiritual separation that sin creates between humanity and God, emphasizing that God cannot dwell where sin and impurity are unaddressed. The priest's role as diagnostician, not healer, further highlights that ultimate cleansing and restoration come from God alone, often through divinely ordained means.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Numbers 5:2](/numbers/5-2 "Numbers 5:2-4 - Expulsion of the Unclean")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursuit of Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific diagnostic laws of _tzara'at_ are part of the Old Covenant and are not literally applied to believers today, they offer profound spiritual lessons for contemporary life. The meticulous examination by the priest serves as a powerful metaphor for the need for honest self-examination before God. Just as the "white reddish" sore on the bald head was a clear, visible sign of a deep-seated condition, so too are our sins, both overt and hidden, indicators of a spiritual malady that separates us from God and from healthy fellowship with others. This passage calls us to acknowledge the seriousness of spiritual impurity and to seek God's cleansing. It reminds us that true purity is not merely external but originates from within, and that unconfessed sin, like untreated _tzara'at_, can lead to isolation and spiritual decay. We are invited to bring our spiritual "sores" before the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, who alone can truly diagnose, cleanse, and restore us to full communion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might there be "white reddish sores" – subtle but significant signs of spiritual impurity or unconfessed sin – that I need to bring before God?**
* **How does the priest's careful examination of _tzara'at_ inform my understanding of the thoroughness with which God sees and knows my heart?**
* **What does the required isolation of the _tzara'at_ sufferer teach me about the isolating nature of sin and the importance of seeking restoration and reconciliation?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater awareness of God's holiness and His call for me to "be holy, for I am holy," as echoed in [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - God's Call to Holiness")?**

### FAQ
**Was _tzara'at_ the same as modern Hansen's disease (leprosy)?**

Answer: No, _tzara'at_ (צָרַעַת) in the Bible was a broader term than modern Hansen's disease. While it likely included some cases of what we now call leprosy, it also encompassed a range of other severe skin conditions, and even extended to mildew or mold on clothing and in houses, as described in [Leviticus 14:34-53](/leviticus/14-34 "Leviticus 14:34-53 - Laws for mildew in houses"). The primary concern was not purely medical but ritual purity, as these conditions rendered an individual or object ritually unclean and unable to participate fully in the community or worship.

**Why was the priest, not a doctor, responsible for diagnosing _tzara'at_?**

Answer: The priest's role in diagnosing _tzara'at_ was primarily spiritual and ritual, not medical in the modern sense. In ancient Israel, the priest was the guardian of God's holiness and the mediator of purity laws. His function was to determine ritual cleanness or uncleanness, which had profound implications for an individual's participation in the community and worship. The laws of _tzara'at_ were less about public health (though isolation certainly had that effect) and more about maintaining the sanctity of the camp in the presence of a holy God. The priest's declaration was a theological pronouncement, not a medical prognosis, as seen in [Leviticus 13:3](/leviticus/13-3 "Leviticus 13:3 - Priest's initial examination for tzara'at").

**What was the significance of the "white reddish" color in the diagnosis?**

Answer: The "white reddish" (לָבָן אֲדַמְדָּם, _lavan adamdam_) color was a critical diagnostic sign because it indicated a specific, active, and severe manifestation of _tzara'at_. Throughout [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws concerning tzara'at"), different colors and characteristics of skin lesions are described, each with specific implications for diagnosis. The "white reddish" hue, particularly when combined with a "rising of the sore," pointed to a condition that required immediate priestly declaration of uncleanness and subsequent isolation, distinguishing it from less severe or non-contagious skin ailments. This precise detail underscores the meticulous nature of God's purity laws.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 13:43, with its meticulous instructions for diagnosing _tzara'at_ and the subsequent isolation of the afflicted, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate cleansing and restoration offered by Jesus Christ. The physical impurity of _tzara'at_ served as a vivid symbol of the spiritual impurity of sin, which separates humanity from God's holy presence. Just as the Israelite priest was the only one authorized to declare someone clean or unclean, Jesus, our Great High Priest, possesses the sole authority to declare us righteous and cleanse us from the defilement of sin. Unlike the Old Testament priest who could only diagnose and separate, Jesus actively touched and healed lepers, demonstrating His divine power over sin and its effects, as seen in [Matthew 8:2-3](/matthew/8-2 "Matthew 8:2-3 - Jesus Heals a Leper"). His willingness to touch the unclean signifies His radical compassion and His ability to bear our impurities without becoming defiled. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus became the ultimate purification offering, taking away the sin of the world, as proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). He not only cleanses us from the "leprosy" of sin but also restores us to full fellowship with God, fulfilling the deep longing for purity and communion that these ancient laws could only symbolize. His resurrection confirms His victory over sin and death, making possible our spiritual restoration and enabling us to draw near to God with confidence, as described in [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place").

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.