Leviticus 13:51

KJV

And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, [or] in any work that is made of skin; the plague [is] a fretting leprosy; it [is] unclean.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall look {H7200} on the plague {H5061} on the seventh {H7637} day {H3117}: if the plague {H5061} be spread {H6581} in the garment {H899}, either in the warp {H8359}, or in the woof {H6154}, or in a skin {H5785}, or in any work {H4399} that is made {H6213} of skin {H5785}; the plague {H5061} is a fretting {H3992} leprosy {H6883}; it is unclean {H2931}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the seventh day he is to examine the stain; if the stain has spread on the garment, threads, woven-in parts or leather, whatever its use, the infection is a contagious tzara'at; the garment is unclean.

Berean Standard Bible

On the seventh day the priest shall reexamine it, and if the mildew has spread in the fabric, weave, knit, or leather, then regardless of how it is used, it is a harmful mildew; the article is unclean.

American Standard Version

and he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in the skin, whatever service skin is used for; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 13:51 details the critical re-inspection of a garment or skin item suspected of being afflicted with *tzara'ath*, a severe, spreading, and destructive form of contamination. After an initial seven-day quarantine, the priest's re-examination reveals that the "plague" has spread, indicating a "fretting leprosy" that renders the item definitively and irrevocably unclean. This declaration necessitates the item's destruction, underscoring the absolute nature of God's holiness and the meticulous measures required to maintain purity within the Israelite community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 13 is a comprehensive legal treatise on *tzara'ath*, a term that encompasses not only various skin diseases but also mold or mildew affecting garments and houses. The chapter meticulously outlines the diagnostic procedures for priests, distinguishing between temporary and persistent forms of contamination. Verses 47-59 specifically address *tzara'ath* in garments and skin articles, detailing initial inspections, quarantine periods, and subsequent re-inspections. Leviticus 13:51 follows the initial seven-day quarantine period, as seen in [Leviticus 13:50](/leviticus/13-50 "Leviticus 13:50 - Re-inspection after Initial Quarantine"), and precedes the prescribed actions for a confirmed case, which often involved burning the item, as commanded in [Leviticus 13:52](/leviticus/13-52 "Leviticus 13:52 - Destruction of Contaminated Items"). This verse is a pivotal moment in the diagnostic process, moving from suspicion to definitive judgment and highlighting the progression of impurity within the broader context of [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Tzara'ath").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concepts of ritual purity and impurity were central to their covenant relationship with God. These laws were not merely about hygiene but served as tangible reminders of God's absolute holiness and the necessity for His people to reflect that holiness in all aspects of life. The priest's role, as demonstrated throughout [the book of Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws of Holiness"), was crucial; they acted as divinely appointed arbiters of purity, responsible for discerning the presence of *tzara'ath* and declaring the appropriate status. A spreading "plague" on a garment or skin item symbolized a deep-seated corruption that threatened the purity of the entire community, much like a contagious disease. Such items, if not properly handled, could defile individuals and even the sacred space of the tabernacle, necessitating strict protocols to prevent the spread of impurity and maintain the sanctity of the camp, aligning with the broader emphasis on holiness in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws of Holiness").

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 13:51 contributes significantly to the overarching themes of **Holiness and Purity** and the **Insidious Nature of Sin**. The detailed regulations for *tzara'ath* emphasize God's absolute holiness and His demand for a pure people who can dwell in His presence. The spreading nature of the "plague" on the garment serves as a powerful metaphor for the pervasive and corrupting influence of sin, which, if left unchecked, can permeate and defile every aspect of life, just as a small amount of leaven can affect an entire batch of dough, a concept echoed in [Galatians 5:9](/galatians/5-9 "Galatians 5:9 - A Little Leaven Leavens the Whole Lump"). The priest's meticulous diagnostic process underscores the importance of discerning between superficial blemishes and deep-seated corruption, a spiritual principle applicable to self-examination and communal purity. The definitive declaration of "unclean" highlights the severe consequences of unaddressed impurity and the necessity of radical measures to maintain a holy community before God, a theme foundational to the entire [Mosaic Law](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Plague (Hebrew, _negaʻ'_):** From the root meaning "to strike" or "to touch," this term denotes an affliction, a blow, or a mark, often with the connotation of a divine visitation or judgment. In the context of Leviticus 13, it specifically refers to the manifestation of *tzara'ath* on skin, garments, or houses. It is not merely a physical blemish but a visible sign of ritual impurity that separates the afflicted from the holy community and from the presence of God.
* **Fretting (Hebrew, _mâʼar'_):** This word, derived from a primitive root meaning "to be bitter" or "to be painful" (and in its causative form, "to embitter"), describes a condition that is actively corrosive, spreading, and deeply destructive. When applied to *tzara'ath*, it indicates that the "plague" is not superficial or temporary but has taken deep root, is actively consuming the material, and is beyond simple cleansing or containment. It emphasizes the severity, persistence, and malignant nature of the affliction.
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** This is the definitive ritual status declared by the priest. To be "unclean" meant to be ritually defiled, separated from the holy community, and unable to participate in sacred worship or communal life until purification rituals were performed or the source of impurity was removed. In this context, "unclean" signifies an irrevocable state of defilement for the garment, necessitating its destruction to prevent further contamination.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day:":** This phrase emphasizes the priest's diligent and meticulous role in the diagnostic process. Following an initial seven-day quarantine period, a re-inspection is mandated to observe any changes in the "plague." This systematic approach underscores the importance of careful, patient observation and the gravity of the priest's judgment before making a definitive pronouncement.
* **"if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, [or] in any work that is made of skin;":** This clause specifies the critical diagnostic sign: the spreading of the affliction. The mention of "warp" (lengthwise threads) and "woof" (crosswise threads) emphasizes that the contamination has permeated the very fabric of the garment, indicating a deep-seated issue rather than a superficial one. The inclusion of "skin" and "any work that is made of skin" indicates the broad applicability of these laws to various items essential for daily life, reinforcing the pervasive nature of the potential defilement.
* **"the plague [is] a fretting leprosy;":** This is the priest's definitive diagnosis. The spreading of the "plague" confirms it as a "fretting leprosy" (*tzara'ath mam'eret*), signifying a virulent, destructive, and deeply embedded condition. This declaration moves the item from a state of suspicion to confirmed, severe impurity, indicating its malignant and incurable nature.
* **"it [is] unclean.":** This final declaration is the legal and ritual verdict. Once identified as "fretting leprosy," the item is irrevocably declared *ṭâmêʼ* (unclean). This status carries severe implications, typically requiring the destruction of the item to prevent further contamination and to maintain the purity and holiness of the Israelite camp.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 13:51 primarily employs **Legal Language** and **Repetition** to convey its message. The precise, conditional phrasing ("if... then...") is characteristic of ancient Near Eastern legal codes, establishing clear criteria for diagnosis and judgment within the priestly system. The **Repetition** of the term "plague" (`negaʻ`) throughout the verse emphasizes the central concern of the passage—the affliction itself—and its persistent, destructive presence. The declaration "it is unclean" serves as a definitive, unyielding verdict, reinforced by its position as the concluding statement of the verse, leaving no ambiguity about the item's status. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Symbolism**, where the physical spreading of the "fretting leprosy" in the garment serves as a tangible representation of how deep-seated corruption, whether physical or spiritual, can permeate and destroy, necessitating radical intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 13:51 profoundly illustrates God's absolute holiness and His meticulous demand for purity within His covenant community. The severity of the "fretting leprosy" and the definitive declaration of uncleanness underscore that some forms of defilement are so pervasive and destructive that they cannot be contained or cleansed, requiring complete eradication. This physical law served as a constant object lesson for the Israelites, teaching them about the insidious nature of sin and its capacity to corrupt thoroughly, necessitating radical measures for its removal to maintain a right relationship with a holy God. The priestly discernment foreshadows the spiritual discernment required to identify and address sin in our lives, recognizing that even a small amount of corruption can affect the whole.

* [Galatians 5:9](/galatians/5-9 "Galatians 5:9 - A Little Leaven Leavens the Whole Lump")
* [1 Corinthians 5:6](/1_corinthians/5-6 "1 Corinthians 5:6 - Cleanse Out the Old Leaven")
* [Hebrews 12:15](/hebrews/12-15 "Hebrews 12:15 - Root of Bitterness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous re-inspection and definitive judgment in Leviticus 13:51 offer powerful spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as the "fretting leprosy" permeated the very fabric of the garment, sin, if left unchecked, can insidiously spread and corrupt the deepest parts of our lives and communities. This verse calls us to a vigilant self-examination, to discern not just superficial faults but the "fretting," deeply rooted patterns of sin that actively consume our spiritual vitality. It reminds us that some spiritual issues are not minor blemishes but deep-seated corruptions requiring decisive, even radical, action. God's demand for purity remains, not as a legalistic burden, but as an invitation to wholeness and flourishing in His presence. We are called to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in identifying and excising those destructive elements that threaten our spiritual health and the purity of the church, trusting in God's power to cleanse and make us new.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fretting" spiritual conditions might be subtly spreading in my own heart or in my community that require honest re-inspection?**
* **How does God's meticulous concern for purity in the Old Testament inform my understanding of His desire for holiness in my life today?**
* **In what areas of my life might I need to take decisive, even radical, action to remove something that is declared "unclean" by God's Word?**

### FAQ
**What does "fretting leprosy" mean in the context of Leviticus 13:51?**

Answer: In Leviticus 13:51, "fretting leprosy" translates the Hebrew *tzara'ath mam'eret*. The term *tzara'ath* is a broad category encompassing various skin conditions, molds, or mildews, not necessarily what we clinically define as Hansen's disease. The word *mam'eret* is crucial here; it signifies a condition that is malignant, virulent, or actively corrosive, derived from a root meaning "to be bitter" or "painful." Therefore, "fretting leprosy" describes a form of contamination that is not superficial or temporary but has spread, taken deep root, and is actively consuming or destroying the material (garment or skin). It is a severe, persistent, and incurable form of impurity that renders the item irrevocably unclean, requiring its destruction as outlined in [Leviticus 13:52](/leviticus/13-52 "Leviticus 13:52 - Destruction of Contaminated Items").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 13:51, with its stark declaration of "fretting leprosy" and definitive uncleanness, powerfully foreshadows the pervasive and destructive nature of sin, which truly is a "fretting plague" upon humanity. Just as the priest's diagnosis marked an item as beyond repair, the Law reveals humanity's utter inability to cleanse itself from the deep-seated corruption of sin. The Old Testament sacrificial system, while providing temporary covering, could not eradicate this inherent "unclean" state; it merely pointed to a greater need. Christ, however, is the ultimate Priest who does not merely diagnose but definitively cleanses. 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"), bearing our "fretting leprosy" on the cross. Through His perfect sacrifice, He offers a radical, complete cleansing that the Law could never provide, transforming us from utterly "unclean" to perfectly righteous in God's sight, as [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") proclaims. Unlike the garment that had to be burned, believers are not destroyed but are purified and made new creations in Christ, as described in [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ"), fit for eternal fellowship with a holy God. This profound transformation is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament's shadows of impurity and cleansing, culminating in the perfect purity found in [Jesus Christ](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses").

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

Leviticus 14:44

Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, [if] the plague be spread in the house, it [is] a fretting leprosy in the house: it [is] unclean.