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 details a specific scenario within the complex Mosaic laws concerning ritual purity, focusing on the inspection of garments and leather items for a defiling "plague" or spreading discoloration. This verse describes a positive outcome where, upon the priest's re-examination after an initial quarantine period, the suspected affliction has not spread, indicating that the item may be salvageable through a prescribed cleansing process rather than requiring destruction. It highlights the meticulous nature of God's instructions for maintaining holiness within the Israelite community, emphasizing careful discernment and the possibility of restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 13, in its entirety, is dedicated to the identification, diagnosis, and management of various "plagues" (`nega` - נֶגַע), often erroneously translated as "leprosy." While the first part of the chapter (from [Leviticus 13:1](/leviticus/13-1 "Leviticus 13:1 - Laws of Skin Diseases") through [Leviticus 13:46](/leviticus/13-46 "Leviticus 13:46 - Laws for Human Skin Afflictions")) deals with afflictions of human skin and hair, the latter section, beginning at [Leviticus 13:47](/leviticus/13-47 "Leviticus 13:47 - Laws for Garments and Articles") and extending to [Leviticus 13:59](/leviticus/13-59 "Leviticus 13:59 - Conclusion of Garment Laws"), shifts focus to defiling conditions found on woven fabrics (wool, linen) and leather goods. Leviticus 13:53 specifically fits into the re-inspection phase, following an initial seven-day quarantine period (as seen in [Leviticus 13:50](/leviticus/13-50 "Leviticus 13:50 - Initial Quarantine of Garments")) where the item was set aside to determine if the "plague" would spread. This verse marks a crucial point where the non-progression of the defilement offers hope for the item's eventual purification.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, ritual purity was paramount, underpinning the community's relationship with a holy God. The tabernacle, God's dwelling place, stood at the center of the camp, necessitating strict adherence to purity laws to prevent defilement from spreading and jeopardizing God's presence among His people. The priest served as the divinely appointed arbiter of these laws, acting as both diagnostician and judge. His role was not merely ceremonial but deeply practical, ensuring public health and maintaining the sacred boundaries that distinguished Israel from surrounding nations. The "plague" on garments or skins was likely a form of aggressive mold, mildew, or fungal growth, which could indeed spread and render items unusable. The meticulous inspection and quarantine 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 people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Plague (Hebrew, _nega'_):** This term (נֶגַע) is central to the entire chapter. While often associated with human skin diseases, in the context of garments and items, it refers to a spreading, defiling spot or affliction, most likely a virulent mold or mildew. It signifies a "stroke" or "mark" from God, indicating a state of impurity that requires careful handling and priestly discernment.
* **Warp (Hebrew, _shetî'_):** The Hebrew word (שְׁתִי) specifically denotes the longitudinal threads of a woven fabric, which are stretched taut on a loom and form the foundation of the cloth. Its mention, alongside the "woof," underscores the thoroughness of the priestly inspection, indicating that the defilement could appear in any part of the intricate structure of the material.
* **Woof (Hebrew, _'ērev'_):** This term (עֵרֶב) refers to the transverse threads that are interwoven through the warp threads to create the fabric. The inclusion of both "warp" and "woof" emphasizes that the priest's examination must be exhaustive, scrutinizing every fiber and intersection of the garment to ascertain whether the "plague" had spread, leaving no part unchecked.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if the priest shall look,"**: This phrase highlights the priest's crucial role as the designated authority. Following an initial inspection and a seven-day quarantine period, the priest is required to conduct a second, careful examination of the suspected garment or item. His discernment is vital for determining the item's status.
* **"and, behold, the plague be not spread in the garment,"**: This is the pivotal condition described in the verse. The "plague" (mold/mildew) has not grown or expanded beyond its original confines during the quarantine. This lack of spread is a positive sign, indicating that the defilement is not deeply ingrained or aggressively progressive, offering a pathway to potential cleansing rather than immediate destruction.
* **"either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin;"**: This specifies the comprehensive scope of the inspection. The priest must check all components of the fabric—both the foundational warp threads and the interwoven woof threads—and also extend the examination to any item made of leather. This meticulous detail underscores the thoroughness required in identifying and containing sources of ritual impurity.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 13:53, embedded within a larger legal code, primarily employs **Legal Language** and **Prescriptive Instruction**. The verse is a precise directive, outlining a specific condition and its implications within the broader framework of purity laws. The use of "if...then" logic, though implied rather than explicitly stated with "then" here, is characteristic of legal texts, establishing clear criteria for judgment. Furthermore, there is an element of **Repetition** throughout Leviticus 13, as similar inspection processes and outcomes are described for various types of "plagues," reinforcing the importance of the priest's role and the meticulousness required. While not a direct metaphor, the "plague" itself carries **Symbolism**, representing not just physical defilement but also the pervasive nature of sin and impurity that can corrupt and spread, necessitating divine intervention and a rigorous process of cleansing and separation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 13:53 underscores God's profound concern for holiness and order within His covenant community. The meticulous regulations regarding "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.

#### 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, the "plague" (Hebrew: `nega`, נֶגַע) refers not to human skin diseases like leprosy, 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.

### 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 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - What Defiles a Person")). 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")).

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.