Leviticus 13:53

KJV

And if the priest shall look, and, behold, the plague be not spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin;

KJV (with Strong's)

And if the priest {H3548} shall look {H7200}, and, behold, the plague {H5061} be not spread {H6581} in the garment {H899}, either {H176} in the warp {H8359}, or {H176} in the woof {H6154}, or {H176} in any thing {H3627} of skin {H5785};

Complete Jewish Bible

But if, when the cohen examines it, he sees that the infection has not spread on the garment or in the threads, woven-in parts or leather item,

Berean Standard Bible

But when the priest reexamines it, if the mildew has not spread in the fabric, weave, knit, or leather article,

American Standard Version

And if the priest shall look, and, behold, the plague be not spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything of skin;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 13:53 describes a crucial stage in the priestly inspection of garments and leather items suspected of having a defiling "plague." This verse specifies the positive outcome where, upon re-examination after a quarantine period, the affliction has not spread, indicating that the item is not irreversibly contaminated. It outlines the meticulous nature of God's purity laws, emphasizing the priest's role in discerning the true state of an object and the possibility of its restoration through prescribed cleansing rather than requiring its destruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 13 is entirely devoted to the detailed regulations concerning various forms of ritual impurity, collectively referred to as `nega` (often translated "plague" or "leprosy"). While the initial section of the chapter ([Leviticus 13:1-46](/leviticus/13-1-46 "Leviticus 13:1-46 - Laws for Skin Afflictions")) addresses afflictions of the human body, the latter portion, from [Leviticus 13:47](/leviticus/13-47 "Leviticus 13:47 - Laws for Garments and Articles") to [Leviticus 13:59](/leviticus/13-59 "Leviticus 13:59 - Conclusion of Garment Laws"), shifts focus to defiling conditions found on woven materials (linen or wool) and leather goods. Leviticus 13:53 specifically fits into the re-inspection phase, following an initial seven-day quarantine period (as mandated in [Leviticus 13:50](/leviticus/13-50 "Leviticus 13:50 - Initial Quarantine of Garments")). This verse marks a pivotal point where the non-progression of the defilement offers hope for the item's eventual purification, leading to the cleansing instructions in [Leviticus 13:54-58](/leviticus/13-54-58 "Leviticus 13:54-58 - Cleansing and Destruction Procedures for Garments").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of ritual purity was foundational to their covenant relationship with Yahweh, a holy God. The Tabernacle, God's dwelling place, was centrally located within the camp, necessitating strict adherence to purity laws to prevent defilement from jeopardizing God's presence among His people. The priest, as divinely appointed, served as the primary arbiter of these laws, functioning as both diagnostician and judge. His role extended beyond mere ceremony to practical matters of public health and the maintenance of sacred boundaries that distinguished Israel from surrounding pagan nations. The "plague" on garments or skins was most likely a form of aggressive mold, mildew, or fungal growth, which could indeed spread and render items unusable and ritually unclean. The meticulous inspection, quarantine, and cleansing procedures outlined in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws of Purity and Impurity") reflect a divinely ordained system for managing potential sources of contamination, emphasizing God's concern for order, hygiene, and the spiritual well-being of His covenant community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, underscoring God's absolute holiness and His demand that His people reflect this holiness in all aspects of their lives, including their possessions. The meticulous nature of the inspection process emphasizes **Discernment and Wisdom**, particularly in the priestly role, teaching the importance of careful observation and patient judgment before making a declaration of clean or unclean. Furthermore, the possibility of the "plague" not spreading introduces the theme of **Restoration and Redemption**, indicating that not all defilement leads to irreversible destruction. Instead, there is a pathway to cleansing and renewed usability, reflecting God's redemptive character even within the strictures of the Law, a concept seen throughout the sacrificial system described in [Leviticus 1-7](/leviticus/1-7 "Leviticus 1-7 - The Sacrificial System").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** This term (H3548) refers to "one officiating," specifically a priest. In the context of Leviticus 13, the priest is the divinely appointed authority responsible for diagnosing ritual impurity, making declarations of clean or unclean, and prescribing the necessary rituals for purification or destruction. His role is paramount in maintaining the community's holiness.
* **Plague (Hebrew, _negaʻ'_):** The Hebrew word (H5061) signifies "a blow" or "infliction," and by implication, a "spot" or "mark." In this chapter, `negaʻ` denotes a spreading, defiling affliction on skin, hair, or, as here, on garments and leather. It represents a state of ritual impurity that requires careful handling and priestly discernment, often understood as a virulent mold or mildew in the case of items.
* **Spread (Hebrew, _pâsâh'_):** This primitive root (H6581) means "to spread" or "to expand." In Leviticus 13:53, the crucial observation is that the `negaʻ` has *not* spread. This lack of progression is the determining factor for the item's potential for cleansing rather than its destruction, indicating that the defilement is contained and not actively growing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if the priest shall look,"**: This clause reiterates the priest's indispensable role as the authorized inspector. It refers to the re-examination conducted after the initial seven-day quarantine period, highlighting the methodical and deliberate nature of the diagnostic process. The priest's careful observation is the linchpin for determining the item's ritual status.
* **"and, behold, the plague be not spread in the garment,"**: This is the central condition of the verse and the positive outcome being sought. The "plague" (the defiling spot or discoloration) has not enlarged or intensified during the quarantine. This non-progression is a critical sign that the defilement is not deep-seated or aggressively infectious, thereby allowing for a different course of action than immediate destruction.
* **"either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin;"**: This phrase meticulously details the scope of the priest's re-inspection. "Warp" (H8359) refers to the longitudinal threads, and "woof" (H6154) to the transverse threads of a woven fabric. The inclusion of "any thing of skin" (H3627, H5785) extends the examination to leather items. This comprehensive list emphasizes the thoroughness required; every part of the material, from its foundational threads to its interwoven components and various material types, must be scrutinized to confirm the absence of spreading defilement.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 13:53, as part of a larger legal corpus, primarily utilizes **Legal Language** and **Prescriptive Instruction**. The verse functions as a **Conditional Clause**, setting forth a specific condition ("if the plague be not spread") that dictates the subsequent legal action (implied cleansing, as detailed in succeeding verses). This "if...then" structure, though the "then" is implied here, is characteristic of ancient Near Eastern legal texts, providing clear criteria for judicial decisions. There is also an element of **Repetition** throughout Leviticus 13, as similar inspection protocols and outcomes are described for various forms of `negaʻ`, reinforcing the meticulousness required and the priest's consistent role. Furthermore, while dealing with physical manifestations, the "plague" carries significant **Symbolism**, representing not merely physical defilement but also the pervasive and corrupting nature of sin and impurity that can spread and necessitate divine intervention and a rigorous process of cleansing and separation within the community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 13:53 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering concern for holiness and order within His covenant community. The meticulous regulations concerning "plagues" on garments and items reveal that God's demand for purity extended beyond human bodies to their possessions, signifying that defilement, in any form, could not be tolerated in the presence of a holy God. The priest's careful, patient observation and the mandated waiting period before judgment highlight the divine principle of discernment—not making hasty decisions but allowing time for truth to be revealed. The positive outcome in this verse, where the "plague" has not spread, offers a powerful theological message of hope and the possibility of restoration. It demonstrates that not all defilement leads to irreversible destruction; rather, there is a pathway to cleansing and renewed usability, reflecting God's redemptive character even within the strictures of the Law.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Proverbs 18:13](/proverbs/18-13 "Proverbs 18:13 - Hasty Judgment")
* [Leviticus 14:1](/leviticus/14-1 "Leviticus 14:1 - Laws of Cleansing for Leprosy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 13:53, though rooted in ancient ceremonial law, offers timeless principles for contemporary life. The priest's diligent inspection and the patience required before declaring a verdict serve as a powerful reminder for us to cultivate discernment and avoid hasty judgments in our own lives. Just as the "plague" on the garment needed time to reveal its true nature, so too do many challenges we face—whether personal struggles, relational conflicts, or societal issues—require careful observation, prayerful consideration, and a willingness to wait for clarity before acting. The possibility of the "plague" not spreading offers a profound metaphor for containment and the potential for healing or redemption. It encourages us to believe in the capacity for things to improve, for situations to be salvaged, and for individuals to be restored, even when initial appearances suggest otherwise. This meticulous process reflects God's concern for holiness and order, urging us to maintain purity in all aspects of our lives—not just outwardly, but inwardly, in our thoughts, intentions, and relationships, recognizing that true defilement often begins within the heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life might I be making hasty judgments without sufficient observation or patience?**
* **How can the principle of diligent inspection and discernment, as seen in the priest's role, be applied to my spiritual disciplines or decision-making processes?**
* **In what areas of my life am I seeking "containment" of negative influences or habits, and how can I trust God for potential restoration rather than despair?**

### FAQ

**What exactly was the "plague" on the garment or skin?**

Answer: In the context of [Leviticus 13:47-59](/leviticus/13-47-59 "Leviticus 13:47-59 - Laws for Garment Afflictions"), the "plague" (Hebrew: `nega`, נֶגַע) refers not to human skin diseases, but to a spreading, defiling discoloration on woven fabrics (wool or linen) or leather items. Scholars generally understand this to be a virulent form of mold, mildew, or fungal growth. These growths could spread rapidly, rendering the items unusable and ritually unclean, thus requiring a strict protocol of inspection, quarantine, and either cleansing or destruction. The meticulous laws underscore the importance of maintaining ritual purity in all aspects of Israelite life, including their possessions, to ensure the holiness of the community in the presence of God.

**Why were garments and household items subject to such detailed purity laws?**

Answer: The detailed purity laws for garments and household items in Leviticus served multiple purposes within ancient Israel. Primarily, they reinforced the concept of God's absolute holiness and the need for His people to reflect that holiness in every aspect of their lives, including their material possessions. Anything that could represent defilement or corruption, even a spreading mold, needed to be addressed to maintain the sacred space around God's dwelling (the Tabernacle). These laws also had practical implications, promoting hygiene and public health by identifying and isolating items that could harbor harmful molds or fungi. Spiritually, they taught the Israelites about the pervasive nature of sin and defilement, which, if left unchecked, could spread and corrupt. The process of inspection, quarantine, and potential cleansing or destruction served as a tangible lesson in dealing with impurity, foreshadowing the need for a deeper, spiritual cleansing that would ultimately be provided through Christ, as seen in the New Testament's emphasis on inner purity ([Matthew 15:18-20](/matthew/15-18-20 "Matthew 15:18-20 - What Defiles a Person")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous inspection and potential for restoration described in Leviticus 13:53 find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Just as the Levitical priest meticulously examined garments for spreading defilement, Jesus, our great High Priest, perfectly discerns the true condition of the human heart. He sees beyond outward appearances to the spiritual "plague" of sin that afflicts humanity ([Mark 7:20-23](/mark/7-20-23 "Mark 7:20-23 - The Source of Defilement")). While the Old Testament laws could only declare an item clean or unclean and offer temporary, external cleansing rituals, Jesus offers a complete and internal purification from the defilement of sin. The "plague" not spreading in the garment, allowing for its cleansing, foreshadows Christ's power to contain and ultimately eradicate the spread of sin in the lives of believers. Through His perfect sacrifice on the cross, Jesus became the ultimate means of cleansing, taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). He doesn't just declare us clean; He makes us clean, transforming our hearts and making us new creations in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). The temporary, external purity of the Old Covenant points to the permanent, internal purity offered by Christ, who fulfills the Law and makes us truly holy before God ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Sacrifice")). He is the one who can truly say, "Be clean!" ([Matthew 8:3](/matthew/8-3 "Matthew 8:3 - Jesus Cleanses a Leper")), bringing about spiritual restoration that the Levitical system could only anticipate.

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.