Leviticus 13:10

And the priest shall see [him]: and, behold, [if] the rising [be] white in the skin, and it have turned the hair white, and [there be] quick raw flesh in the rising;

And the priest {H3548} shall see {H7200} him: and, behold, if the rising {H7613} be white {H3836} in the skin {H5785}, and it have turned {H2015} the hair {H8181} white {H3836}, and there be quick {H4241} raw {H2416} flesh {H1320} in the rising {H7613};

The cohen is to examine him, and if he sees that there is a white swelling in the skin which has turned the hair white and inflamed flesh in the swelling,

The priest will examine him, and if there is a white swelling on the skin that has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh in the swelling,

and the priest shall look; and, behold, if there be a white rising in the skin, and it have turned the hair white, and there be quick raw flesh in the rising,

Commentary

Leviticus 13:10 is a pivotal verse within the detailed Old Testament laws concerning the diagnosis of skin diseases, particularly tzara'at, often translated as "leprosy." This specific verse outlines critical symptoms the priest was to look for when examining someone suspected of having this ritually defiling condition.

Context of Leviticus 13:10

The entire thirteenth chapter of Leviticus provides comprehensive instructions to the priests regarding the identification and management of various skin afflictions. These laws were not primarily for public health in the modern sense, but for maintaining the ritual purity and holiness of the Israelite camp in the presence of God. The priest acted as the designated diagnostician, and his verdict determined whether an individual was clean or unclean, and thus whether they could remain within the community or had to be isolated.

Key Diagnostic Signs and Their Significance

  • "The rising [be] white in the skin": The term "rising" (Hebrew: se'eth) refers to a swelling or eruption. A distinctive white discoloration was a key indicator, distinguishing it from other skin conditions.
  • "And it have turned the hair white": This symptom, indicating that the disease had penetrated deeply enough to affect hair follicles, signaled a more advanced and serious stage of the affliction.
  • "And [there be] quick raw flesh in the rising": The presence of "quick raw flesh" (Hebrew: basar chai, meaning "living flesh" or "raw, healthy flesh" that has broken through the diseased skin) was a definitive sign of active, severe disease. This indicated an open, festering wound, confirming the presence of tzara'at and requiring immediate declaration of uncleanness. This particular sign meant the disease was not merely superficial or healing.

Theological and Practical Implications

The meticulousness of these laws underscores God's deep concern for purity and order within His covenant people. While tzara'at was a physical ailment, it carried profound spiritual symbolism, often representing the defiling nature of sin. Just as physical tzara'at separated an individual from the community and the sanctuary, so too does sin separate humanity from a holy God.

The priest's role was not to heal, but to discern and declare, pointing to the need for divine intervention for true cleansing. In the New Testament, Jesus demonstrated His ultimate authority over sin and disease by healing those afflicted with leprosy, performing what the Law could only identify. This points to Christ as the ultimate High Priest who can truly cleanse us from the spiritual "leprosy" of sin, making us clean and fit for communion with God, as foretold in passages like Isaiah 53:5 regarding His atoning sacrifice.

For a deeper understanding of the purification process after healing, see Leviticus 14.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 5:27 (4 votes)

    The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper [as white] as snow.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:19 (3 votes)

    Then Uzziah was wroth, and [had] a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:20 (3 votes)

    And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he [was] leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.

  • Leviticus 13:14 (2 votes)

    But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.

  • Leviticus 13:15 (2 votes)

    And the priest shall see the raw flesh, and pronounce him to be unclean: [for] the raw flesh [is] unclean: it [is] a leprosy.

  • Leviticus 13:3 (2 votes)

    And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and [when] the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight [be] deeper than the skin of his flesh, it [is] a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.

  • Leviticus 13:4 (2 votes)

    If the bright spot [be] white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight [be] not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up [him that hath] the plague seven days: