Leviticus 13:57

KJV

And if it appear still in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it [is] a spreading [plague]: thou shalt burn that wherein the plague [is] with fire.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if it appear {H7200} still {H5750} in the garment {H899}, either in the warp {H8359}, or in the woof {H6154}, or in any thing {H3627} of skin {H5785}; it is a spreading {H6524} plague: thou shalt burn {H8313} that wherein the plague {H5061} is with fire {H784}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If it appears again in the garment, threads, woven-in parts or leather item, it is contagious, and you are to burn up completely the article that had the stain.

Berean Standard Bible

But if it reappears in the fabric, weave, or knit, or on any leather article, it is spreading. You must burn the contaminated article.

American Standard Version

and if it appear still in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything of skin, it is breaking out: thou shalt burn that wherein the plague is with fire.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 13:57 concludes a series of meticulous instructions regarding the diagnosis and handling of defiling afflictions in garments and leather items within ancient Israel. This verse addresses the most severe and persistent form of contamination, identified as an incurable, "spreading plague." It mandates the radical and complete destruction of the affected item by fire, underscoring the absolute necessity of eradicating pervasive impurity to preserve the holiness of the community in the presence of a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus chapter 13 is a comprehensive legal treatise detailing the procedures for identifying and managing *negaʿ* (often translated "leprosy" but encompassing a broader range of skin afflictions, mold, and mildew) in humans, garments, and houses. The chapter follows a pattern of initial inspection by the priest, potential isolation, re-inspection, and then a definitive verdict of clean or unclean. Verses 47-59 specifically deal with *negaʿ* in clothing made of linen, wool, or leather. Earlier verses describe scenarios where the affliction might be superficial or contained, allowing for washing or isolation. However, verse 57 represents the final, most dire diagnosis: after all attempts at cleansing or observation, if the "plague" remains and shows signs of spreading, it is deemed incurable. This progression highlights the thoroughness of the divine law and the escalating severity of persistent defilement, culminating in the ultimate act of destruction to prevent further contamination.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, maintaining ritual purity was paramount for the community, reflecting their covenant relationship with a holy God who dwelt among them in the Tabernacle. The concept of *tumah* (impurity) and *tahor* (purity) permeated daily life, with various forms of impurity requiring specific rituals for cleansing or exclusion from the camp. The "plague" described in Leviticus 13, particularly in garments and houses, is widely understood by scholars to refer to various forms of mold, mildew, or fungal growths, which could spread rapidly in the humid conditions of the ancient Near East and pose health risks. Beyond mere hygiene, these conditions were viewed as a manifestation of impurity that threatened the spiritual integrity of the community. The priests, acting as divinely appointed arbiters, played a crucial role in discerning between clean and unclean, thereby safeguarding the people's access to God's presence and their corporate holiness, as emphasized in [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinguishing between Holy and Common"). The command to burn the item was not just a practical measure but a theological statement about the absolute intolerance of God for persistent, spreading defilement within His holy people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Negaʿ (Hebrew, _neḡaʿ'_):** Often translated as "plague" or "leprosy," this Hebrew term is broader, meaning "a stroke," "a blow," or "a mark." In the context of Leviticus 13, it refers to any affliction or mark of divine origin, encompassing not only skin diseases but also mold or mildew that appeared on garments and houses. The use of *negaʿ* implies a divinely ordained condition that required priestly discernment, underscoring its spiritual significance beyond mere physical ailment.
* **Mamʾeret (Hebrew, _mamʾeret'_):** Translated as "spreading" or "festering," this word denotes a malignant, actively growing, and incurable condition. It signifies that the affliction is not superficial or contained but deeply ingrained and expanding, rendering the item beyond any possibility of cleansing or repair. This term highlights the pervasive and destructive nature of the defilement, necessitating radical action.
* **Sarap (Hebrew, _śārap'_):** Meaning "to burn" or "to consume with fire," this verb indicates a complete and irreversible destruction. In biblical contexts, burning often symbolizes purification, judgment, or total eradication. Here, it signifies that the affected garment or skin item is so thoroughly contaminated that it must be utterly removed from the community to prevent any further spread of impurity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if it appear still in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin;":** This clause emphasizes the persistence of the affliction despite previous inspections, isolation periods, or washing attempts. "Warp" and "woof" refer to the lengthwise and crosswise threads of woven fabric, indicating that the contamination is deeply embedded throughout the material. The inclusion of "any thing of skin" extends the scope to leather goods, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the law concerning all porous materials susceptible to such defilement.
* **"it [is] a spreading [plague]:":** This is the definitive, priestly diagnosis. The term "spreading plague" (Hebrew: *negaʿ mamʾeret*) declares the affliction to be malignant, active, and incurable. It signifies that the impurity is not static but actively propagating, posing an ongoing threat to the purity and health of the individual and the community. This diagnosis leaves no room for further attempts at cleansing.
* **"thou shalt burn that wherein the plague [is] with fire.":** This is the divine command for the prescribed action. The instruction to "burn" signifies total destruction and complete eradication. Fire, in this context, serves as an agent of ultimate purification and judgment, ensuring that no trace of the incurable defilement remains to contaminate others or to compromise the holiness of the Israelite camp. This radical measure underscores the severity with which God views persistent impurity.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the "spreading plague" serving as a powerful symbol of pervasive, incurable sin or corruption that threatens the spiritual integrity of an individual or community. The act of "burning with fire" functions as a symbol of radical judgment, complete eradication, and ultimate purification. This imagery underscores God's absolute intolerance for persistent defilement. Furthermore, the detailed enumeration of "warp, or woof, or any thing of skin" uses **merism** to emphasize the comprehensive reach of the defilement—it affects every part of the item, leaving no area untouched. This thoroughness highlights the pervasive nature of the "plague" and the necessity of equally thorough measures for its removal. The prescriptive, declarative tone of the verse also lends it an air of **divine authority** and finality, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of God's commands regarding holiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 13:57, though dealing with ancient ceremonial laws, carries profound theological implications for understanding God's nature and His relationship with His people. It reveals God's absolute holiness and His demand for purity within His covenant community. The "spreading plague" symbolizes the insidious and destructive nature of sin, which, if left unchecked, will corrupt and defile everything it touches. The command for radical destruction by fire illustrates God's zero-tolerance policy for persistent, incurable impurity. This principle teaches that there are some forms of defilement—whether physical, moral, or spiritual—that are so deeply ingrained and actively destructive that they cannot be merely cleansed or contained; they require complete eradication. This divine imperative for radical removal serves as a stark reminder that true holiness often demands painful, decisive action to cut off anything that threatens our walk with God.

* [1 Corinthians 5:6-7](/1_corinthians/5-6 "1 Corinthians 5:6-7 - Purging the Old Leaven")
* [Matthew 5:29-30](/matthew/5-29 "Matthew 5:29-30 - Radical Measures Against Sin")
* [Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - Laying Aside Every Weight and Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ceremonial laws of Leviticus 13 are not literally binding on New Testament believers, the underlying spiritual principles of Leviticus 13:57 remain profoundly relevant. The "spreading plague" serves as a powerful metaphor for persistent, deeply ingrained sins, destructive habits, toxic relationships, or corrupting influences that, if left unaddressed, will spread and defile our spiritual lives and the community around us. Just as the ancient Israelite was commanded to radically destroy the contaminated garment, we are called to identify and decisively "burn" away anything that threatens our purity and hinders our walk with God. This often requires painful, uncompromising measures—cutting off harmful behaviors, ending ungodly associations, or repenting of deeply rooted attitudes. The thoroughness of God's command reminds us that superficial cleansing is insufficient for pervasive corruption; true spiritual health demands radical surgery. This commitment to holiness, even when costly, reflects our desire to honor a holy God and to live in a manner worthy of His presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "spreading plagues" (persistent sins, destructive habits, or ungodly influences) might be present in my life or community today that require radical eradication?**
* **Am I willing to take decisive, "burning" measures to remove these impurities, even if it involves pain or sacrifice?**
* **How does the thoroughness of God's law in Leviticus 13:57 deepen my understanding of His holiness and His desire for my complete purity?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command burning instead of other forms of cleansing for this "plague"?**

Answer: The command to burn the item signifies the ultimate and complete destruction of the defilement. For a "spreading plague" (*negaʿ mamʾeret*), which was incurable and actively malignant, lesser forms of cleansing (like washing or isolation) were insufficient. Burning ensured that the impurity was utterly eradicated, preventing any further spread and serving as a stark visual lesson about the consequences of persistent defilement. It highlights God's absolute intolerance for anything that compromises the holiness of His people and their dwelling place. This radical measure underscores that some forms of sin or corruption are so pervasive that they demand total removal, leaving no trace behind.

**Is this "plague" literally leprosy?**

Answer: While the King James Version often translates *negaʿ* as "leprosy," the Hebrew term is much broader. In the context of garments and houses (as in [Leviticus 13:47-59](/leviticus/13-47 "Leviticus 13:47-59 - Law Concerning Garments")), *negaʿ* refers to mold, mildew, or fungal growths that could infest fabrics and walls. These conditions were not merely health hazards but were considered ritual impurities that required priestly inspection and specific protocols for management or eradication. The laws in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases and Mildew") highlight the danger of any persistent, spreading defilement, whether physical or spiritual, to the community's holiness, rather than exclusively referring to Hansen's disease.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 13:57, with its radical command to burn the incurably defiled garment, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate solution to humanity's pervasive "spreading plague"—sin. The Old Covenant laws, including those concerning *negaʿ*, served to highlight the depth and incurability of human sinfulness, demonstrating that no human effort or ritual could truly cleanse the heart or eradicate the root of corruption. The burning of the garment symbolizes the fiery judgment that sin deserves, a judgment that humanity could not bear. However, in Christ, this judgment was fully absorbed. He became the ultimate sacrifice, bearing the "spreading plague" of our sin upon Himself on the cross, becoming sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His shed blood provides the complete and perfect purification that no ceremonial washing or burning could ever achieve, cleansing us from all defilement and making us pure before a holy God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Purification by Christ's Blood")). 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"), not merely managing it but utterly eradicating its power and guilt for those who believe. Through Christ, we are not merely cleansed but made new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), fulfilling the profound desire for holiness that the Levitical laws could only foreshadow.

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.