Leviticus 13:19

And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be shewed to the priest;

And in the place {H4725} of the boil {H7822} there be a white {H3836} rising {H7613}, or a bright spot {H934}, white {H3836}, and somewhat reddish {H125}, and it be shewed {H7200} to the priest {H3548};

in such a way that in place of the boil there is a white swelling or a reddish-white bright spot, it is to be shown to the cohen.

and a white swelling or a reddish-white spot develops where the boil was, he must present himself to the priest.

and in the place of the boil there is a white rising, or a bright spot, reddish-white, then it shall be showed to the priest;

Commentary

Leviticus 13:19 is part of a detailed section within the Mosaic Law concerning the diagnosis and management of various skin conditions, specifically following a boil. This verse describes a particular stage or appearance of a suspected skin affliction that requires examination by the priest.

Context of Leviticus 13:19

Chapter 13 of Leviticus provides extensive regulations regarding skin diseases, often referred to broadly as "leprosy" in the KJV, though it encompassed a range of conditions beyond modern Hansen's disease. These laws were crucial for maintaining public health and ceremonial purity within the Israelite camp during their wilderness wanderings. The priests served not only as spiritual leaders but also as public health officials, responsible for inspecting suspected cases and declaring individuals clean or unclean. The focus was on preventing the spread of contagious diseases and upholding the sanctity of the community before a holy God. This verse specifically addresses what to look for when a boil has healed, but a suspicious mark remains.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Purity and Holiness: The detailed regulations underscore God's demand for a holy and pure people, both spiritually and ceremonially. Physical cleanness was a reflection of spiritual separation unto God, as called for in Leviticus 11:44.
  • Discernment and Authority: The priest's role in diagnosing these conditions highlights their divinely appointed authority to discern between clean and unclean, ensuring order and health within the community.
  • Community Well-being: These laws were practical measures to protect the health of the entire Israelite community, preventing the spread of potentially harmful or contagious diseases in close quarters.
  • God's Meticulous Care: The specificity of the descriptions (e.g., "white rising," "bright spot," "somewhat reddish") demonstrates God's meticulous care for His people's physical and spiritual welfare.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses precise terms to describe the appearance of the skin condition:

  • "Boil" (Hebrew: shechin) refers to an inflammatory swelling or ulcer. The law here describes what happens after such a boil has run its course.
  • "White rising" (Hebrew: sa'at) implies a swelling or protuberance that is lighter than the surrounding skin.
  • "Bright spot" (Hebrew: baheret) denotes a glistening or shining patch, suggesting a distinctive, perhaps shiny, mark.
  • The phrase "white, and somewhat reddish" indicates a specific discoloration that the priest must observe closely, differentiating it from a normal scar or healthy tissue. These nuanced descriptions were vital for the priest's assessment, as seen throughout Leviticus chapter 13.

Practical Application

While the specific ceremonial laws of Leviticus are not directly binding on New Testament believers (as Christ has fulfilled the law, Matthew 5:17), this passage still offers valuable insights:

  • God's Concern for Wholeness: It reveals God's deep concern for the physical, social, and spiritual well-being of His people. He desires wholeness and health for us today.
  • Importance of Discernment: Just as the priests had to discern physical conditions, believers today are called to spiritual discernment, distinguishing truth from error and health from spiritual sickness (Hebrews 5:14).
  • Seeking Wise Counsel: The instruction to "shew it to the priest" emphasizes the importance of seeking wise, godly counsel when facing difficult or uncertain situations, whether physical, spiritual, or relational.
  • Christ Our Cleanser: Ultimately, these laws pointed to a greater need for cleansing from sin. Jesus Christ is the ultimate High Priest who cleanses us from all spiritual uncleanness and makes us truly holy before God, as highlighted in passages like Hebrews 9:14 concerning His atoning blood.
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

  • Leviticus 13:24 (2 votes)

    Or if there be [any] flesh, in the skin whereof [there is] a hot burning, and the quick [flesh] that burneth have a white bright spot, somewhat reddish, or white;