Leviticus 13:58

KJV

And the garment, either warp, or woof, or whatsoever thing of skin [it be], which thou shalt wash, if the plague be departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the garment {H899}, either warp {H8359}, or woof {H6154}, or whatsoever thing {H3627} of skin {H5785} it be, which thou shalt wash {H3526}, if the plague {H5061} be departed {H5493} from them, then it shall be washed {H3526} the second {H8145} time, and shall be clean {H2891}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if the infection is gone from the garment, threads, woven-in parts or leather item that you washed, then it is to be washed a second time, and it will be clean.

Berean Standard Bible

If the mildew disappears from the fabric, weave, or knit, or any leather article after washing, then it is to be washed again, and it will be clean.

American Standard Version

And the garment, either the warp, or the woof, or whatsoever thing of skin it be, which thou shalt wash, if the plague be departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 13:58 provides the concluding instruction for the purification of a garment or item made of skin that has been afflicted by `tzara'at`. This verse mandates that if, after an initial washing, the visible manifestation of the affliction has departed, the item must undergo a second, thorough washing to be declared completely clean and ritually pure, thereby allowing its safe reintroduction into the community and for its intended use. It underscores the meticulousness required for ceremonial purity in ancient Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 13 meticulously details the laws concerning `tzara'at`, a term often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing a broader range of skin conditions, as well as mildew or mold-like growths on garments and houses. The chapter outlines the priest's essential role in diagnosing, quarantining, and declaring individuals or items either unclean or clean. Specifically, [Leviticus 13:47-57](/leviticus/13-47-57 "Leviticus 13:47-57 - Laws Concerning Garments Infected with Tzara'at") addresses `tzara'at` in garments made of linen, wool, or skin. [Leviticus 13:58](/leviticus/13-58 "Leviticus 13:58 - Final Purification of a Garment") serves as the culminating directive for the purification process of such items, emphasizing the final, decisive step required for complete restoration to ritual purity after the "plague" has visibly receded. This verse highlights the comprehensive and exacting nature of God's law in ensuring absolute cleanness before reintegration into the community and its sacred spaces.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concepts of ritual purity (`tahor`) and impurity (`tameh`) were foundational to their covenant relationship with Yahweh. `Tzara'at` was not merely a physical ailment but was understood as a divinely sent affliction, often carrying connotations of sin or disobedience, leading to severe ritual impurity and temporary separation from the community and the Tabernacle. The regulations in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at") underscore God's absolute holiness and His desire for His people to reflect that holiness in all aspects of their lives, including their physical environment and possessions. The priest functioned as God's designated arbiter of purity, and the multi-stage purification process—including quarantine, inspection, and multiple washings—ensured that defilement was thoroughly removed, both physically and ceremonially. This meticulous attention to detail reflected the profound seriousness with which God viewed anything that could defile His holy people or their dwelling place.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing God's demand for a people set apart and free from defilement, as seen throughout [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals") and [Leviticus 15](/leviticus/15 "Leviticus 15 - Laws Concerning Bodily Discharges"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Authority and Order**, as God Himself prescribes the precise steps for purification, demonstrating His sovereign control over all aspects of life, including health and ritual status. The priest's role as the one who declares purity reinforces this divine order. Thirdly, the process of cleansing and reintegration speaks to the theme of **Restoration and Reconciliation**, illustrating God's provision for those who have been defiled to be brought back into full fellowship, a principle echoed in the broader narrative of Israel's relationship with God after periods of disobedience or impurity, as seen in the sacrificial system.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Plague (Hebrew, _negaʻ'_):** This term (H5061) refers to a "blow," "stroke," or "infliction." In the context of Leviticus 13, it specifically denotes the manifestation of `tzara'at`, whether on skin, garments, or houses. It signifies a divinely inflicted or permitted mark of impurity, requiring priestly discernment and specific purification rituals. It is not merely a medical condition but a sign of ritual defilement that necessitates separation and cleansing.
* **Wash (Hebrew, _kâbaç'_):** This word (H3526) means "to trample" or "to wash," specifically by stamping with the feet, a common ancient method for fulling and cleaning fabrics. Its use here emphasizes a vigorous, thorough cleansing action, indicating that the purification was not a superficial rinse but an intensive effort to remove all traces of defilement. The repetition of this action underscores the meticulousness required for ritual purity.
* **Clean (Hebrew, _ṭâhêr'_):** The Hebrew word (H2891) signifies a state of ritual purity, in contrast to `tameh` (unclean). To be declared `ṭâhêr` meant that the item (or person) was free from ritual defilement, having been purified from its "bright" or "pure" state. This declaration was the ultimate goal of the purification process, signifying complete restoration and acceptance back into the community and for sacred use.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the garment, either warp, or woof, or whatsoever thing of skin [it be]":** This opening clause comprehensively specifies the types of objects subject to the purification law. "Warp" and "woof" refer to the lengthwise and crosswise threads of woven fabric, encompassing all textiles. The addition of "whatsoever thing of skin" extends the law to all leather goods, ensuring that no common household or personal item susceptible to `tzara'at` affliction is excluded from these regulations.
* **"which thou shalt wash, if the plague be departed from them":** This phrase describes the initial condition and prerequisite for the final purification stage. It implies that an initial washing has already taken place (likely after a period of quarantine, as per [Leviticus 13:54](/leviticus/13-54 "Leviticus 13:54 - Re-examination of the Garment")), and, crucially, that the visible "plague" (the manifestation of `tzara'at`) has disappeared. The visible departure of the affliction is the necessary sign that allows for the subsequent, final cleansing.
* **"then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean":** This is the prescriptive command for complete purification. If the affliction has departed after the first washing, a *second* washing is explicitly mandated. This "second time" washing is not a mere repetition but a final, thorough act of purification, ensuring that any lingering trace of defilement, whether physical or ritual, is completely removed. Only after this complete and rigorous process is the item declared "clean" (`ṭâhêr`), signifying its full restoration to ritual purity and fitness for use within the holy community.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 13:58 employs several literary devices to convey its precise instructions and theological weight. The most prominent device is **Didacticism**, as the text functions as a direct, prescriptive instruction within the Mosaic Law, designed to educate the Israelites on matters of purity, holiness, and the meticulousness required in their covenant relationship with God. The repeated emphasis on "washing" and "cleanliness" throughout the chapter, culminating in this verse's "second time" washing, is a form of **Repetition**, which serves to underscore the thoroughness and absolute nature of the purification process. The specific mention of "warp, or woof, or whatsoever thing of skin" utilizes **Merism**, where two distinct parts (warp and woof, representing woven goods) are used to encompass the entirety of a category (all textiles), and then expanded to include another major category (skin items), thereby emphasizing the comprehensive scope of the law's application to all potentially affected materials. Finally, the entire system of cleansing from `tzara'at` functions as profound **Symbolism**, representing the deeper spiritual truth of sin's defiling power and the absolute necessity of thorough, divinely ordained cleansing for restoration to a state of holiness and fellowship with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 13:58, though dealing with the ceremonial cleansing of physical objects, profoundly illustrates God's unyielding demand for holiness and purity among His people. The meticulous, multi-stage process of cleansing from `tzara'at` underscores that defilement, whether physical or spiritual, requires thorough and complete removal before communion with a holy God can be restored. The "second washing" signifies God's standard of absolute purity, leaving no room for residual contamination or doubt. This principle extends beyond the specific ceremonial law to the spiritual realm, where sin defiles and separates, and true cleansing requires a comprehensive, transformative work of grace that goes beyond superficial acknowledgment.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Psalm 51:7](/psalms/51-7 "Psalm 51:7 - Wash Me, and I Shall Be Whiter Than Snow")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed instructions for purifying a garment in Leviticus 13:58 offer profound spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as the ancient Israelite garment required a "second washing" to be truly clean, our spiritual lives often necessitate a thorough and ongoing process of purification. While our justification in Christ is a singular, complete act, our sanctification is a continuous journey. When we confess our sins, God promises to cleanse us, but true spiritual freedom and growth often involve more than a single act of repentance; it calls for diligent maintenance, a continuous turning away from sin, and an active commitment to walking in the light. This "second washing" can be seen as the ongoing work of sanctification, where we actively participate with the Holy Spirit in shedding old habits, renewing our minds, and embracing new life in Christ. It reminds us that while our standing before God is secure through faith, our daily walk requires intentionality and perseverance to ensure that the "plague" of sin has truly departed and we remain consecrated to God, reflecting His holiness in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be settling for a "first washing" when God desires a deeper, more thorough cleansing and transformation?**
* **What specific steps can I take to engage more diligently in the ongoing process of sanctification, ensuring that spiritual "plagues" are truly departed from my thoughts, words, and actions?**
* **How does the concept of God's meticulous care for purity in the Old Testament inform my understanding of His holiness and His desire for my own spiritual integrity today?**
* **Considering the restoration of the garment to use after complete cleansing, how does complete spiritual cleansing enable me to be more fully used by God in His kingdom and for His purposes?**

### FAQ

**Why was a second washing required if the plague had already departed?**

Answer: The requirement for a "second time" washing, even after the visible "plague" had departed, underscores the divine standard for absolute and complete cleansing. It was not merely about the physical removal of the affliction but about ensuring ritual purity (`ṭâhêr`). The first washing might have removed the visible manifestation, but the second symbolized a thorough, complete, and irreversible purification, leaving no lingering trace of defilement. This meticulousness reflected the seriousness of ritual impurity in the Israelite understanding and God's demand for holiness. It ensured that the item was truly clean and could be safely reintroduced into the community without any lingering doubt of contamination, embodying the principle of leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of purity.

**What exactly was `tzara'at`? Was it just leprosy?**

Answer: `Tzara'at` (צָרַעַת) is a broad Hebrew term that is often translated as "leprosy" in English Bibles, but it encompasses a wider range of skin conditions, mildew, or mold-like growths that could affect not only people but also garments and houses. It was distinct from modern Hansen's disease (leprosy) and was primarily understood as a divinely sent affliction, a sign of ritual impurity that required priestly diagnosis and specific purification rituals. It carried significant social and religious implications, leading to temporary isolation from the community until declared clean by the priest, as meticulously detailed in [Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at") and [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Purification Rites for Tzara'at").

**Does this verse have any relevance for Christians today, since we are not under the Old Testament ceremonial law?**

Answer: While Christians are not bound by the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament (as these laws found their fulfillment in Christ), the profound principles behind them remain highly relevant. Leviticus 13:58 reveals God's unchanging character—His holiness, His meticulousness, and His unwavering desire for purity in His people. Spiritually, sin is a defiling "plague" that separates us from God. Just as the garment needed thorough cleansing, believers need thorough spiritual purification from sin. This verse points to the need for complete repentance and the ongoing, lifelong work of sanctification in our lives. It encourages us to seek not just superficial cleansing but a deep, transformative work of grace that ensures we are truly "clean" in God's sight, reflecting the truth found in [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness") and [Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Transformation by the Renewing of Your Mind").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 13:58, with its emphasis on a "second washing" for complete cleansing and restoration, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament rituals for `tzara'at` were temporary and typological, pointing to a greater spiritual reality that they could not fully accomplish. The physical defilement of a garment by `tzara'at` vividly foreshadows the pervasive defilement of humanity by sin. No amount of washing, sacrifice, or ritual under the Old Covenant could provide a permanent, comprehensive solution to the problem of sin and its defiling power. However, Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offers a cleansing that is not merely ceremonial but deeply spiritual, eternally effective, and utterly complete. His shed blood is the ultimate "second washing," purifying us from all sin and unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Walking in the Light and Cleansing")). Through His sacrifice, we are not just declared clean, but made new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), raised to walk in newness of life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life")). The meticulousness of the law in [Leviticus 13:58](/leviticus/13-58 "Leviticus 13:58 - Final Purification of a Garment") underscores the thoroughness of Christ's redemptive work; He doesn't just cover sin, He removes it entirely, making us perfectly holy and blameless before God, once for all ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Offering")). He is our complete and final purification, ensuring our eternal cleanliness and full restoration into unbroken fellowship with God.

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

Revelation 1:5

And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

2 Corinthians 7:1

¶ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Kings 5:14

Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

2 Kings 5:10

And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

2 Corinthians 12:8

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

Hebrews 9:10

[Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation.

Psalms 51:2

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.