Leviticus 13:44

KJV

He is a leprous man, he [is] unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague [is] in his head.

KJV (with Strong's)

He is a leprous {H6879} man {H376}, he is unclean {H2931}: the priest {H3548} shall pronounce him utterly {H2930} unclean {H2930}; his plague {H5061} is in his head {H7218}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he is a person with tzara'at; he is unclean; the cohen must declare him unclean; the sore is on his head.

Berean Standard Bible

the man is diseased; he is unclean. The priest must pronounce him unclean because of the infection on his head.

American Standard Version

he is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall surely pronounce him unclean; his plague is in his head.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 13:44 definitively pronounces a person afflicted with a severe form of *tzara'at* as utterly unclean, a state that mandated complete separation from the community. This verse underscores the pervasive nature of the "plague" and the absolute authority of the priest in determining ritual purity, highlighting the profound implications of impurity within the covenant community and before a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 13 details a comprehensive set of laws concerning *tzara'at*, a term encompassing various skin conditions and even mildew on garments and houses. The preceding verses (Leviticus 13:1-43) meticulously outline the diagnostic procedures for different manifestations of the affliction, including initial appearances, spreading, and healing. The priest's role is central throughout, acting not as a medical doctor but as a divine arbiter of ritual purity. Verse 44 specifically addresses a severe, persistent case, distinct from the initial quarantines or milder forms, leading to an unequivocal declaration of "utter uncleanness." This declaration sets the stage for the subsequent verses (Leviticus 13:45-46), which prescribe the specific actions required of the "unclean" person, namely, tearing their clothes, letting their hair be disheveled, covering their upper lip, crying "Unclean! Unclean!", and dwelling outside the camp.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of purity and impurity was foundational to their relationship with God and their communal life. *Tzara'at* (צָרַעַת), often translated as "leprosy," was not merely a physical ailment but a profound state of ritual defilement, often associated with sin or divine judgment (e.g., Miriam's *tzara'at* in [Numbers 12:9-10](/numbers/12-9 "Numbers 12:9-10 - Miriam's Leprosy")). This condition rendered an individual unable to participate in communal worship or social life, as their impurity was contagious and could defile the holy camp where God's presence resided in the Tabernacle. The priest's examination and pronouncement, as seen in [Leviticus 13:2-3](/leviticus/13-2 "Leviticus 13:2-3 - Initial Priestly Examination"), were not medical diagnoses but judicial declarations of ritual status, ensuring the holiness of the community. The severity indicated by "his plague is in his head" suggests a deeply entrenched or highly visible manifestation, leaving no doubt as to the individual's defiled state and the necessity of immediate, permanent separation from the community, as commanded in [Numbers 5:2-3](/numbers/5-2 "Numbers 5:2-3 - Command to put out the unclean").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Leprous (Hebrew, _tsarua'_):** This adjective, derived from the noun *tzara'at* (צָרַעַת), describes the person afflicted with the severe skin condition. As noted in the context, *tzara'at* in the Old Testament refers to a range of dermatological conditions, not exclusively modern Hansen's disease. The term carries significant ritual implications, denoting a state of impurity that separates the individual from the holy community and God's presence.
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _tame'_):** This word (טָמֵא) is central to the Levitical purity laws. Its repetition in the Hebrew text, *tame' hu' tame'*, translated as "he is unclean" and then "utterly unclean," provides intense emphasis on the absolute and undeniable state of ritual defilement. This uncleanness is not merely a physical state but a spiritual one that prohibits access to the Tabernacle and participation in the life of the covenant community.
* **Plague (Hebrew, _nega'_):** The term *nega'* (נֶגַע) refers to a "stroke," "blow," or "affliction," often implying a divine visitation or judgment. In the context of Leviticus 13, it specifically denotes the visible manifestation of *tzara'at*. The phrase "his plague is in his head" indicates a particularly severe, pervasive, or perhaps incurable manifestation, signifying a complete and undeniable state of defilement that has permeated the individual.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He is a leprous man, he is unclean":** This opening declaration is definitive and absolute. It immediately establishes the individual's ritual status as defiled due to the severe skin affliction. The repetition of "unclean" (implied in the KJV's "utterly unclean" from the Hebrew emphasis) underscores the comprehensive nature of this impurity, leaving no room for doubt or re-evaluation.
* **"the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean":** This clause highlights the crucial role and authority of the priest. The priest is the divinely appointed arbiter of purity, whose judgment is final and binding. This pronouncement is not a medical diagnosis but a legal and ritual declaration that effectively excommunicates the individual from the holy community. The term "utterly unclean" emphasizes the irreversible and complete nature of this defilement.
* **"his plague is in his head":** This specific detail describes the location and severity of the affliction. A "plague in his head" suggests a highly visible, pervasive, and perhaps particularly disfiguring manifestation of *tzara'at*. It signifies that the defilement is not superficial or localized but has deeply affected the individual, making their state of uncleanness undeniable and permanent.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Repetition** and **Symbolism** to emphasize its core message. The repetition of the concept of "unclean" (implied in the KJV's "utterly unclean" from the Hebrew *tame' hu' tame'*) serves to underscore the absolute and undeniable state of ritual defilement. This linguistic emphasis leaves no ambiguity regarding the individual's status. Furthermore, the entire condition of *tzara'at* functions as **Symbolism**. While a physical ailment, it profoundly symbolizes sin and its defiling, separating power. Just as *tzara'at* separated an individual from the holy community and access to God's presence, so too does sin create a barrier between humanity and a holy God. The "plague in his head" can be seen as a symbolic representation of a pervasive, deeply ingrained spiritual defilement that affects one's very being and thought processes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 13:44 profoundly illustrates the Old Testament's emphasis on God's absolute holiness and the necessity of purity for fellowship with Him. The strict laws concerning *tzara'at* underscore the contagious nature of impurity and the radical separation required to maintain the sanctity of the covenant community. This physical separation served as a tangible lesson about the spiritual reality of sin: just as *tzara'at* defiled and alienated, so too does sin defile the human heart and alienate individuals from God's presence. The priest's definitive pronouncement highlights divine judgment on impurity and the need for an authoritative declaration of one's spiritual state.

* [Numbers 5:2](/numbers/5-2 "Numbers 5:2 - Command to put out the unclean from the camp")
* [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your iniquities have separated you from your God")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue holiness without which no one will see the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual laws of *tzara'at* are not directly binding for New Covenant believers, the spiritual principles they embody remain profoundly relevant. Leviticus 13:44 serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive and separating nature of sin. Just as the ancient Israelite with *tzara'at* was declared "unclean" and cast out, so too does unconfessed and unrepented sin create a chasm between us and a holy God, separating us from His presence and from full fellowship within the believing community. The "plague in his head" can metaphorically represent deeply ingrained sinful patterns or corrupted thought processes that permeate our being, requiring radical divine intervention. This passage calls us to a profound awareness of our spiritual condition and the absolute necessity of God's cleansing work to restore us to purity and communion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does sin manifest as a "plague" in my own life, creating separation from God or others?**
* **How does the priest's definitive pronouncement of uncleanness highlight the seriousness of spiritual defilement?**
* **What does this passage teach me about God's holiness and His expectation of purity from His people?**

### FAQ
**Was *tzara'at* always a punishment for sin?**

Answer: While *tzara'at* was sometimes associated with divine judgment for specific sins (e.g., Miriam's *tzara'at* in [Numbers 12:9-10](/numbers/12-9 "Numbers 12:9-10 - Miriam's Leprosy") or Gehazi's in [2 Kings 5:27](/2_kings/5-27 "2 Kings 5:27 - Gehazi's Leprosy")), the Levitical laws primarily treat it as a ritual impurity that needed to be managed to maintain the holiness of the camp, regardless of its cause. The text itself does not always attribute it to a specific sin. Its primary function in Leviticus is to illustrate the nature of defilement and the need for purity in God's presence.

**Why was the priest, not a doctor, responsible for diagnosing *tzara'at*?**

Answer: The priest's role in diagnosing *tzara'at* was not medical but ritualistic and theological. The condition was viewed as a matter of ritual purity and impurity, which directly impacted an individual's ability to participate in the covenant community and worship God. The priest, as the mediator of the covenant and guardian of God's laws, was uniquely positioned to make declarations about ritual status. Their pronouncements were binding judgments on whether an individual was clean enough to remain within the holy camp or if they needed to be separated, as outlined in [Leviticus 13:2-3](/leviticus/13-2 "Leviticus 13:2-3 - Initial Priestly Examination"). This underscores that *tzara'at* was fundamentally a spiritual and communal issue, not just a health concern.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 13:44, with its stark declaration of "utter uncleanness" and mandated separation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in Jesus Christ. The "leprous man" of the Old Covenant, cast out and isolated due to his defilement, powerfully symbolizes humanity's spiritual condition under the dominion of sin. Sin is the true "plague" that permeates our being, separating us from a holy God. Yet, Jesus, our Great High Priest, did not merely pronounce judgment from a distance; He radically engaged with the unclean. He touched lepers (e.g., [Matthew 8:2-3](/matthew/8-2 "Matthew 8:2-3 - Jesus Heals a Leper")), demonstrating His power over all forms of defilement and His willingness to cross the boundaries of ritual purity. Unlike the earthly priest who could only declare uncleanness, Jesus possesses the divine authority to cleanse and make whole, not just physically but spiritually. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate purification offering, taking away the sin of the world (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through faith in Him, those who were "utterly unclean" by sin are pronounced "clean" and brought near to God, fulfilling the longing for restoration that the Old Covenant laws could only foreshadow (cf. [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - The Blood of Christ Cleanses")). He is the one who bears our infirmities and carries our diseases, including the spiritual plague of sin, bringing us into perfect fellowship with God (cf. [Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")).

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.