Leviticus 13:46

All the days wherein the plague [shall be] in him he shall be defiled; he [is] unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp [shall] his habitation [be].

All the days {H3117} wherein the plague {H5061} shall be in him he shall be defiled {H2930}; he is unclean {H2931}: he shall dwell {H3427} alone {H910}; without {H2351} the camp {H4264} shall his habitation {H4186} be.

As long as he has sores, he will be unclean; since he is unclean, he must live in isolation; he must live outside the camp.

As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp.

All the days wherein the plague is in him he shall be unclean; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his dwelling be.

Commentary

Leviticus 13:46 outlines the strict regulations for individuals afflicted with a severe, contagious skin disease, often broadly referred to as "leprosy" in English translations, within ancient Israel.

Context

This verse is part of a lengthy section in Leviticus chapters 13 and 14 that details the diagnosis, isolation, and purification processes for various skin ailments. These laws were not merely medical, but profoundly ritualistic, emphasizing the importance of purity and holiness within the community of Israel. The presence of God among His people in the tabernacle demanded a clean and undefiled environment, leading to stringent rules for anything that could introduce ritual impurity or physical danger to the camp of Israel.

Key Themes

  • Ritual Uncleanness: The "plague" (Hebrew: nega', meaning 'stroke' or 'affliction') rendered the individual ritually "unclean" (Hebrew: tame'). This state was not necessarily a moral failing, but a condition that made one unfit for worship and participation in the community's sacred life.
  • Separation for Purity and Protection: The command to "dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be" served a dual purpose. It acted as an ancient form of quarantine, preventing the spread of contagious disease. More importantly, it protected the spiritual purity of the camp, ensuring that the holy space where God dwelt remained undefiled.
  • The Holiness of God: These strict laws underscore God's absolute holiness and His desire for His people to reflect that holiness in their daily lives and communal structures. The removal of the unclean maintained the sanctity of the entire Israelite community.

Linguistic Insights

The term "plague" in this context comes from the Hebrew word nega' (ื ึถื’ึทืข), which refers to a divinely sent affliction or mark. It highlights that the disease was not merely a physical malady but was viewed as having a spiritual dimension, requiring priestly discernment. The word "unclean" (tame', ื˜ึธืžึตื) describes a state of ritual impurity, distinct from moral sin, yet equally requiring separation from the holy community.

Practical Application

While these specific laws applied to ancient Israel, the principles offer timeless insights:

  • Wisdom in Public Health: The concept of isolating the sick demonstrates a divinely inspired wisdom for preventing the spread of disease, a practice still vital today.
  • The Nature of Sin and Separation: Spiritually, sin renders humanity "unclean" and separates us from a holy God. Just as the leper was outside the camp, sin keeps us outside of true fellowship with God.
  • Christ's Compassion and Cleansing: In stark contrast to the Old Testament law, Jesus often touched and healed those with leprosy, demonstrating His power over disease and His willingness to make the "unclean" clean, both physically and spiritually. His touch brought not defilement, but purification (e.g., Matthew 8:3). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ cleanses us from our spiritual defilement, bringing us into fellowship with God.
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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 7:3 (6 votes)

    ยถ And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?

  • 2 Kings 15:5 (5 votes)

    And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son [was] over the house, judging the people of the land.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:21 (4 votes)

    And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, [being] a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son [was] over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

  • Numbers 12:14 (4 votes)

    And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in [again].

  • Numbers 12:15 (4 votes)

    And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in [again].

  • Numbers 5:1 (3 votes)

    ยถ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

  • Numbers 5:4 (3 votes)

    And the children of Israel did so, and put them out without the camp: as the LORD spake unto Moses, so did the children of Israel.