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 delivers a definitive and irreversible verdict on an individual afflicted with a severe manifestation of *tzara'at*, declaring them "utterly unclean." This pronouncement, made by the priest, underscores the profound ritual defilement associated with the condition and mandates complete separation from the holy community, highlighting the absolute necessity of purity in the presence of a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 13 is a meticulously detailed legal chapter outlining the diagnostic procedures and consequences for *tzara'at*, a term encompassing various skin conditions and even mold or mildew. The preceding verses [Leviticus 13:1-43](/leviticus/13-1-43 "Leviticus 13:1-43 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at") provide a comprehensive guide for the priest to examine suspected cases, differentiate between temporary and persistent afflictions, and determine the appropriate course of action, including quarantines and re-examinations. Verse 44 marks a critical turning point, addressing a severe, undeniable, and often permanent form of the "plague" that leaves no room for re-evaluation or hope of quick re-entry into the camp. This definitive declaration sets the stage for the immediate and drastic measures prescribed in the subsequent verses [Leviticus 13:45-46](/leviticus/13-45-46 "Leviticus 13:45-46 - Regulations for the Unclean Person"), which detail the required actions for the "unclean" person, including torn clothes, disheveled hair, covered lip, and the cry, "Unclean! Unclean!" while dwelling outside the camp.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concepts of ritual purity and impurity were fundamental to their covenant relationship with Yahweh and the maintenance of a holy community. *Tzara'at* (צָרַעַת), often translated as "leprosy," was far more than a physical ailment; it represented a profound state of ritual defilement that rendered an individual unfit to participate in communal worship or social life. This condition was frequently associated with sin or divine judgment, as seen in the accounts of Miriam's *tzara'at* after speaking against Moses [Numbers 12:9-10](/numbers/12-9-10 "Numbers 12:9-10 - Miriam's Leprosy") or Gehazi's affliction for his greed [2_kings/5-27](/2-kings/5-27 "2 Kings 5:27 - Gehazi's Leprosy"). The priest's role, as demonstrated throughout [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at"), was not that of a medical doctor but a divinely appointed arbiter of ritual status, whose pronouncements ensured the sanctity of the camp where God's presence resided in the Tabernacle. The phrase "his plague is in his head" likely indicated a highly visible, pervasive, or deeply entrenched manifestation, leaving no doubt about the individual's defiled state and necessitating their immediate and complete separation from the community, in line with the broader command to remove the unclean from the camp [Numbers 5:2-3](/numbers/5-2-3 "Numbers 5:2-3 - Command to Remove the Unclean").
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 13:44 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **God's Absolute Holiness** and the non-negotiable requirement for His people to maintain **Purity** in His presence. The severity of the *tzara'at* laws, particularly the definitive pronouncement of "utter uncleanness," highlights the **Contagious Nature of Impurity** and the necessity of **Separation** to protect the sanctity of the covenant community. It also emphasizes the **Priestly Authority** as divinely ordained to mediate between God and His people, acting as the guardians of ritual purity. Furthermore, the physical condition of *tzara'at* serves as a tangible illustration of the defiling and separating power of **Sin**, foreshadowing the spiritual separation sin causes between humanity and a holy God, a concept deeply explored in prophetic literature like [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your Sins Have Separated You").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ_ - H2931, H2930):** This word is central to the Levitical purity system, denoting a state of ritual defilement. H2931 refers to being "foul in a religious sense," while H2930 is the primitive root, meaning "to be foul, especially in a ceremonial or moral sense (contaminated)." Its repetition and emphatic use in the Hebrew text (implied by "utterly unclean") underscore the absolute and undeniable nature of the individual's defiled status, which prohibits access to the Tabernacle and participation in the life of the covenant community. This uncleanness is not merely physical but carries profound spiritual implications.
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kôhên_ - H3548):** Derived from a root meaning "to officiate," this term refers to the divinely appointed individual responsible for mediating between God and Israel. In the context of *tzara'at*, the priest acts not as a medical practitioner but as a spiritual arbiter. Their pronouncement is a judicial declaration of ritual status, carrying divine authority and determining the individual's standing within the holy community. The priest's role highlights the theological rather than purely medical nature of *tzara'at*.
* **Plague (Hebrew, _negaʻ_ - H5061):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to strike" or "to touch," refers to a "blow," "infliction," or "spot." In Leviticus 13, it specifically denotes the visible manifestation of *tzara'at*. The term often carries the connotation of a divine visitation or judgment. The phrase "his plague is in his head" indicates a particularly severe, pervasive, or deeply ingrained manifestation of the affliction, suggesting that the defilement has permeated the individual's very being and is undeniably evident.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He is a leprous man, he is unclean":** This opening clause serves as an immediate, definitive declaration of the individual's ritual status. The term "leprous man" (referring to one afflicted with *tzara'at*) is directly followed by the pronouncement of "unclean," establishing the fundamental state of defilement. This initial statement leaves no ambiguity about the individual's condition, setting the stage for the priestly judgment.
* **"the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean":** This clause highlights the crucial role and absolute authority of the priest. The priest's action is not a diagnosis but a formal, binding declaration—a judicial verdict on the individual's ritual status. The phrase "utterly unclean" translates a Hebrew emphatic construction (ṭâmêʼ ṭâmêʼ), signifying a complete, irreversible, and undeniable state of defilement that necessitates full separation from the holy community.
* **"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 indicates that the defilement is not superficial or localized but has deeply affected the individual, making their state of uncleanness undeniable and permanent, leaving no room for a temporary quarantine or a favorable re-evaluation.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 13:44 effectively employs **Emphasis** through repetition and specific detail. The Hebrew text's emphatic repetition of "unclean" (ṭâmêʼ ṭâmêʼ, rendered as "utterly unclean" in KJV) serves to underscore the absolute and undeniable nature of the ritual defilement, leaving no room for ambiguity or appeal. Furthermore, the entire condition of *tzara'at* functions as profound **Symbolism**. While a physical ailment, it powerfully 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 chasm between humanity and a holy God. The specific detail of 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, thoughts, and identity, signifying a complete permeation of impurity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 13:44 profoundly illustrates the Old Testament's emphasis on God's absolute holiness and the non-negotiable requirement for purity in order to maintain 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 holy presence. The priest's definitive pronouncement highlights divine judgment on impurity and the need for an authoritative declaration of one's spiritual state, emphasizing that access to God is predicated on His terms of holiness.

* [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 for our lives today. 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 from the community, so too does unconfessed and unrepented sin create a chasm between us and a holy God, separating us from His presence and hindering full fellowship within the believing community. The "plague in his head" can metaphorically represent deeply ingrained sinful patterns, corrupted thought processes, or a pervasive spiritual sickness that affects our very 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, recognizing that true purity comes only through His grace and transformative power.

#### 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 in God's eyes?**
* **What does this passage teach me about God's holiness and His unwavering expectation of purity from His people?**

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

Answer: While *tzara'at* was indeed sometimes associated with divine judgment for specific sins, as seen in the accounts of Miriam's *tzara'at* in [Numbers 12:9-10](/numbers/12-9-10 "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 matter of ritual impurity that needed to be managed to maintain the holiness of the camp, regardless of its underlying cause. The text itself does not always attribute every case of *tzara'at* to a specific sin. Its primary function in Leviticus is to illustrate the nature of defilement and the absolute necessity of purity in God's presence, serving as a powerful object lesson for the entire community.

**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 fundamentally ritualistic and theological. The condition was viewed as a profound 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 meticulously outlined in [Leviticus 13:2-3](/leviticus/13-2-3 "Leviticus 13:2-3 - Initial Priestly Examination"). This underscores that *tzara'at* was primarily a spiritual and communal issue, not merely a health concern, reflecting God's meticulous care for the holiness of His people and His dwelling place.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 13:44, with its stark declaration of "utter uncleanness" and mandated separation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound reversal in the person and work of 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 pervasive dominion of sin. Sin is the true "plague" that permeates our being, separating us from a holy God and His community. Yet, Jesus, our Great High Priest, did not merely pronounce judgment from a distance; He radically engaged with the unclean. He touched lepers, demonstrating His divine power over all forms of defilement and His willingness to cross the boundaries of ritual purity, as seen in His healing of the leper in [Matthew 8:2-3](/matthew/8-2-3 "Matthew 8:2-3 - Jesus Heals a Leper"). Unlike the earthly priest who could only declare uncleanness and enforce separation, 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, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [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. His blood cleanses our consciences from dead works to serve the living God [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - The Blood of Christ Cleanses"). He is the one who bore our infirmities and carried our diseases, including the spiritual plague of sin, bringing us into perfect fellowship with God [Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "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.

Cross-References

2 Peter 2:1

¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:2

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Isaiah 1:5

Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

Job 36:14

They die in youth, and their life [is] among the unclean.

Matthew 6:23

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great [is] that darkness!

2 John 1:8

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

2 John 1:10

¶ If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed: