Leviticus 14:3

And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, [if] the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper;

And the priest {H3548} shall go forth {H3318} out {H2351} of the camp {H4264}; and the priest {H3548} shall look {H7200}, and, behold, if the plague {H5061} of leprosy {H6883} be healed {H7495} in the leper {H6879};

and the cohen is to go outside the camp and examine him there. If he sees that the tzara'at sores have been healed in the afflicted person,

The priest is to go outside the camp to examine him, and if the skin disease of the afflicted person has healed,

and the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look; and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper,

Commentary

Context of Leviticus 14:3

Leviticus 14 outlines the elaborate purification rituals for an individual healed of tsara'at, often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing a range of severe skin conditions in the ancient Israelite context. This specific verse describes the very first step in the process of reintegration for someone who had been afflicted with this disease.

According to the Mosaic Law, a person with tsara'at was considered ceremonially unclean and was required to live outside the camp, separated from the community and the tabernacle. The priest's role was not to heal the disease, but to diagnose it and, as seen here, to confirm its healing. This verse emphasizes that the healing must have already occurred for the purification process to begin, highlighting God's sovereign power as the ultimate healer.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority and Order: The meticulous instructions for dealing with tsara'at underscore God's concern for the health and spiritual purity of His people. Every step of the purification process was divinely ordained.
  • Priestly Mediation: The priest served as the designated intermediary, confirming the healing and initiating the ritual steps necessary for the individual's return to the community and worship. This highlights the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding God's people.
  • Restoration and Reintegration: The primary purpose of this ritual was to restore the individual to fellowship with God and His people. It was a journey from isolation and uncleanness back into the life of the camp.
  • God as Healer: The fact that the priest "shall look, and, behold, [if] the plague of leprosy be healed" emphasizes that the healing itself was an act of God, not of the priest.

Linguistic Nuances

The Hebrew word for "leprosy" here is tsara'at (ืฆึธืจึทืขึทืช), which, as mentioned, refers to a broader category of skin afflictions and possibly even mildew on clothes or houses (as seen later in Leviticus 14). It carried significant ritual, rather than purely medical, implications. The word for "healed" is rapa' (ืจึธืคึธื), meaning "to mend," "cure," or "restore." Its usage here implies a complete and observable restoration, emphasizing that the disease is truly gone.

Cross-References and Symbolism

The Old Testament laws concerning tsara'at and its purification rites are rich with symbolism, often pointing to the nature of sin and the need for spiritual cleansing. Just as tsara'at separated an individual from the community, so does sin separate humanity from God and from one another. The priest's examination and declaration of healing foreshadows the ultimate spiritual cleansing provided through Christ.

This ancient ritual points to the ultimate healing and restoration offered by Jesus Christ, who has the authority to cleanse spiritual "leprosy" (sin) and bring individuals back into fellowship with God. The priests in the Old Testament confirmed physical healing; Jesus actually performed spiritual and physical healing.

Practical Application

Leviticus 14:3 reminds us of God's deep concern for wholeness โ€“ physical, spiritual, and communal. It teaches us:

  • The Importance of Discernment: Just as the priest carefully examined the leper, spiritual leaders today are called to discern spiritual health and guide believers towards reconciliation and restoration.
  • God's Desire for Restoration: God always desires to bring His people from a state of brokenness and isolation back into fellowship with Him and His community.
  • The Role of Confession and Acknowledgment: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the subsequent rituals for the leper involve confession and offerings, underscoring the process of acknowledging a past state and moving towards a clean slate.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 13:46 (4 votes)

    All the days wherein the plague [shall be] in him he shall be defiled; he [is] unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp [shall] his habitation [be].

  • Exodus 15:26 (2 votes)

    And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

  • Job 5:18 (2 votes)

    For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

  • Luke 17:15 (2 votes)

    And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

  • Luke 17:19 (2 votes)

    And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

  • Luke 7:22 (2 votes)

    Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

  • Luke 4:27 (2 votes)

    And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.