Leviticus 13:54

KJV

Then the priest shall command that they wash [the thing] wherein the plague [is], and he shall shut it up seven days more:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the priest {H3548} shall command {H6680} that they wash {H3526} the thing wherein the plague {H5061} is, and he shall shut {H5462} it up seven {H7651} days {H3117} more {H8145}:

Complete Jewish Bible

then the cohen is to order that the article having the infection be washed and isolated for seven more days.

Berean Standard Bible

the priest is to order the contaminated article to be washed and isolated for another seven days.

American Standard Version

then the priest shall command that they wash the thing wherein the plague is, and he shall shut it up seven days more:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 13:54 outlines a critical stage in the intricate priestly protocol for managing and purifying items afflicted with a "plague," typically a form of mold or mildew. Following an initial seven-day quarantine and re-inspection where the defilement has not spread but persists, the priest authoritatively commands that the affected article undergo a thorough washing, followed by an additional, equally rigorous seven-day period of isolation. This meticulous, multi-stage process underscores the profound divine demand for holiness, the diligent and patient approach required in addressing defilement, and the indispensable, authoritative role of the priest in preserving the ritual purity of the Israelite community in the presence of a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the comprehensive legal framework of [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases and Garments"), specifically detailing the regulations for "plagues" (likely mold or mildew) on garments and articles made of fabric or leather, as outlined from [Leviticus 13:47-59](/leviticus/13-47-59 "Leviticus 13:47-59 - Laws for Garment Mildew"). The preceding verses describe the initial discovery of the "plague," the priest's first inspection, and the subsequent initial seven-day quarantine of the item ([Leviticus 13:50](/leviticus/13-50 "Leviticus 13:50 - Initial Quarantine of Garment")). If, after this initial period, the "plague" had not spread but remained unchanged in its appearance, the priest would then issue the command found in [Leviticus 13:54](/leviticus/13-54 "Leviticus 13:54 - Second Quarantine of Garment"). This indicates a persistent, though perhaps contained, defilement that necessitated more rigorous measures, highlighting the careful, sequential, and escalating approach prescribed by God for dealing with potential sources of impurity within the camp. The detailed nature of these laws emphasizes God's concern for every aspect of His people's lives, even their possessions, reflecting His absolute holiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The laws presented in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - The Book of Holiness") were given to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, serving to establish and maintain their covenant relationship with a holy God. The meticulous regulations concerning "plagues" on garments and houses (further elaborated in [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing from Skin Disease and Mildew")) served multiple crucial purposes. Culturally, they reinforced the foundational concept of ritual purity, which was indispensable for maintaining God's tangible presence among His people, as any defilement could compromise the sanctity of the Tabernacle and the entire camp. Historically, within a nomadic setting characterized by close living quarters and limited resources, these laws also possessed significant practical implications for public health. They provided a structured method for containing the spread of actual mold, mildew, and potentially other microbial infestations that could lead to disease, allergic reactions, or the deterioration of vital possessions like clothing and tents. The priest's role was central, acting as an authoritative diagnostician and the prescriber of purification rites, thereby upholding both the social and religious order of ancient Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, and the broader context of [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases and Garments"), contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the book. Foremost is the theme of **God's Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing that God is utterly separate from all defilement and demands a corresponding purity from His covenant people. The detailed laws illustrate the pervasive nature of impurity and the necessity of diligent measures to counteract it. Another key theme is the **Seriousness of Sin and Defilement**, where physical "plagues" serve as tangible object lessons for spiritual uncleanness; even seemingly minor blemishes require careful attention and thorough cleansing. The passage also highlights the **Authoritative Role of the Priesthood** as mediators and interpreters of God's will, responsible for maintaining the sanctity of the community. Finally, it underscores the theme of **Restoration and Reintegration**, as the ultimate goal of these processes is to declare an item or person clean, allowing them to return to full participation in the community and its worship, mirroring the divine desire for reconciliation and restoration from defilement.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** This word (H3548) refers to "one officiating," specifically a priest. In the context of the Mosaic Law, the priest served as God's appointed representative, possessing the authority to discern between clean and unclean, to declare ritual purity or impurity, and to prescribe the necessary actions for purification or atonement. His command carried divine weight, making his role indispensable in maintaining the sanctity of the Israelite community.
* **Wash (Hebrew, _kâbaç'_):** The verb (H3526) signifies a forceful and thorough cleansing, literally meaning "to trample" or "to full" (as in fulling cloth). This implies a vigorous, intensive effort to remove ingrained dirt or defilement, going beyond a superficial rinse. It underscores the seriousness with which impurity was to be treated and the diligent effort required for its removal.
* **Shut it up (Hebrew, _çâgar'_):** This verb (H5462) means "to close," "to confine," or "to imprison." In this context, it emphasizes the continued isolation and quarantine of the affected item. The repetition of an additional "seven days more" after the initial period highlights the meticulousness, patience, and comprehensive approach deemed necessary to ensure the defilement was truly contained or eradicated before the item could be declared clean.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the priest shall command":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the priest's indispensable and authoritative position within the purification process. He is not merely a passive observer but an active agent, acting as God's representative to discern, judge, and prescribe the necessary actions for purification. His command carries divine weight, signifying that the subsequent actions are not optional but divinely mandated steps towards restoration of purity.
* **"that they wash [the thing] wherein the plague [is]":** This specifies the first immediate action to be taken: a thorough cleansing of the affected item. The washing is a practical, physical step aimed at removing the visible manifestation of the "plague." It suggests that some forms of defilement could be physically removed through diligent human effort, but only when undertaken under the specific instruction and authority of the priest. This emphasizes the principle that human effort, when divinely directed, plays a role in addressing impurity.
* **"and he shall shut it up seven days more":** This dictates the second crucial action: an *additional* period of isolation, extending the initial seven-day quarantine. This second quarantine, following the washing, indicates that the initial measures were not fully conclusive, or that the washing itself required a subsequent period of observation to confirm its efficacy. It underscores the persistent, patient, and comprehensive nature of the purification process, ensuring that the defilement was truly gone or definitively contained before the item could be declared clean and ritually acceptable.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is a prominent feature, particularly in the recurring mention of "seven days" and the process of "shutting up" or quarantining. This repetition serves to emphasize the thoroughness, patience, and meticulousness absolutely required in dealing with defilement, reinforcing the gravity of impurity and the divine demand for complete eradication. **Symbolism** is also central; the physical "plague" on the garment or house functions as a tangible symbol of spiritual defilement or sin that, if unchecked, can spread and corrupt. Consequently, the washing and isolation rituals themselves **symbolize** the broader process of purification, separation from uncleanness, and sanctification. The entire sequence of actions functions as a **ritual**, a divinely prescribed set of procedures designed to maintain the **ritual purity** of the community, which was paramount for God's holy presence to dwell among them. The priest's actions, therefore, transcend mere practicality, being imbued with deep symbolic meaning that points to the essential need for divine discernment and intervention in the face of impurity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, deeply embedded within the broader Levitical code, profoundly illustrates God's absolute holiness and His unwavering demand for purity from His covenant people. The meticulous and drawn-out process of identifying, isolating, and cleansing "plagues" on inanimate objects reflects the seriousness with which God views any form of defilement, whether physical or spiritual. It teaches a crucial theological principle: impurity is not to be taken lightly or dealt with superficially; it requires diligent attention, patient observation, and often repeated efforts to ensure its complete removal. The priest's authoritative role highlights the necessity of mediation and discerning leadership in confronting defilement, setting a divine pattern for how God's people are to approach sin and seek cleansing, always under divine instruction.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")
* [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing of Conscience by Christ's Blood")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness of Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ceremonial laws of Leviticus are not directly binding on New Covenant believers, the profound underlying principles of God's holiness, the pervasive seriousness of defilement, and the necessity of thorough cleansing remain eternally relevant and profoundly applicable to our spiritual lives. This passage serves as a powerful call to deep introspection regarding the "plagues" in our own lives—those persistent patterns of sin, harmful habits, or defiling influences that, though perhaps not overtly "spreading" in a dramatic fashion, continue to subtly mar our spiritual garments and hinder our walk with God. Just as the Israelite priest commanded a thorough washing and an extended period of isolation, so too are we called to diligently identify, humbly confess, and actively seek cleansing from our sins. This often requires more than a superficial acknowledgment; it demands a "thorough washing" through genuine repentance and faith in Christ's atoning work, followed by a "shutting up"—a period of sustained separation from the sources of defilement, patient reliance on God's sanctifying work, and careful observation of our spiritual condition. It powerfully reminds us that spiritual growth is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of persistent purification, requiring discernment, patience, and a willingness to undergo the uncomfortable but necessary steps for true holiness and conformity to Christ's image.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "plagues" or persistent areas of sin in my life require a more thorough "washing" and "shutting up" (separation or sustained effort) than I have given them?**
* **Am I truly diligent in seeking spiritual cleansing, or do I tend to offer superficial fixes to deeper issues of defilement and compromise?**
* **How can I cultivate the patience, persistence, and meticulousness modeled in this passage as I pursue holiness and growth in Christ?**
* **In what ways do I need to exercise greater spiritual discernment, akin to the priest, in identifying what is truly defiling in my life or environment, and then act decisively upon that discernment?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of these detailed "plague" laws in Leviticus?**

Answer: The primary purpose of these detailed "plague" laws was multifaceted, intricately woven into Israel's covenant relationship with God. First and foremost, they were designed to maintain the ritual purity and holiness of the Israelite community, which was absolutely essential for God's holy presence to dwell among them in the Tabernacle. Any "plague" (whether on a person, garment, or house) was a symbol of defilement that could compromise the sanctity of the camp and God's dwelling place. Secondly, these laws served a crucial practical public health function, especially in a communal, nomadic living environment, by helping to prevent the spread of actual mold, mildew, and potentially other infectious agents that could cause illness or damage vital possessions. Finally, they functioned as a profound pedagogical tool, teaching Israel about the pervasive nature of sin and the meticulous, thorough process required for cleansing and restoration before a holy God, thereby foreshadowing the ultimate need for divine intervention for true and lasting purification, as seen in passages like [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing from Skin Disease and Mildew").

**Are the specific ceremonial laws regarding "plagues" on garments still binding on Christians today?**

Answer: No, the specific ceremonial laws concerning "plagues" on garments and other articles, as meticulously detailed in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases and Garments"), are not legally binding on Christians today. The New Testament clearly teaches that Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Covenant Law, bringing an end to the need for ceremonial laws for purification ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Our cleansing comes not from physical washings or quarantines but through faith in the perfect and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ ([Hebrews 9:12-14](/hebrews/9-12-14 "Hebrews 9:12-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice and Cleansing")). However, while the specific rituals are abrogated, the profound underlying spiritual principles—such as God's absolute holiness, the pervasive seriousness of sin, the necessity of thorough cleansing, the importance of spiritual discernment, and the pursuit of purity—remain eternally relevant and foundational for believers today ([2 Corinthians 7:1](/2_corinthians/7-1 "2 Corinthians 7:1 - Perfecting Holiness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 13:54, with its intricate process of identifying, washing, and re-quarantining defiled articles, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The earthly priest in this passage served as a crucial type, discerning between clean and unclean and prescribing the laborious path to ritual restoration. Christ, however, is our true and great [High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), who not only perfectly discerns our spiritual defilement (sin) but also provides the perfect, once-for-all, and final cleansing. The "washing" commanded by the priest foreshadows the spiritual washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration")), and more profoundly, the cleansing power of Christ's own precious blood, which truly purifies our consciences from dead works to enable us to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). The repeated "shutting up" for observation, signifying the persistent and insidious nature of defilement, points to the ongoing work of sanctification in the believer's life, where Christ, through His Spirit, continually purifies us and exposes hidden areas of sin, leading us to confess and be cleansed ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Walking in the Light and Cleansing")). Unlike the temporary and physical cleansing of the Old Covenant, Christ offers a complete, eternal, and spiritual purification, making us truly holy and perfectly fit to dwell in the very presence of God ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Sanctifies the Church")). He is the ultimate solution to our spiritual "plague," providing not just a temporary fix, but a radical transformation that makes us new creations in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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.