Leviticus 13:38-48

38 “When a man or woman has white spots on the skin,
39 the priest is to examine them, and if the spots are dull white, it is a harmless rash that has broken out on the skin; they are clean.
40 “A man who has lost his hair and is bald is clean.
41 If he has lost his hair from the front of his scalp and has a bald forehead, he is clean.
42 But if he has a reddish-white sore on his bald head or forehead, it is a defiling disease breaking out on his head or forehead.
43 The priest is to examine him, and if the swollen sore on his head or forehead is reddish-white like a defiling skin disease,
44 the man is diseased and is unclean. The priest shall pronounce him unclean because of the sore on his head.
45 “Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt,[a] cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’
46 As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.

Regulations About Defiling Molds

47 “As for any fabric that is spoiled with a defiling mold—any woolen or linen clothing,
48 any woven or knitted material of linen or wool, any leather or anything made of leather—

Leviticus 13:38-48 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 13

In this chapter an account is given of the various sorts of leprosy, and the rules by which they were to be judged of, Le 13:1-3 of the bright spot and scab, Le 13:4-8 of the rising or swelling, Le 13:9-17 of the bile or hot ulcer, Le 13:18-23 of the hot burning or inflammation, Le 13:24-28 of the plague of the scall, Le 13:29-37 of bright spots or blisters, Le 13:38,39 and of shedding the hair, and baldness, Le 13:40-44 of what the leper was to do, and to be done unto, Le 13:45,46 of the leprosy in garments made of linen, woollen, or of skin, Le 13:47-59.

Cross References 5

  • 1. Leviticus 21:5; 2 Kings 2:23; Isaiah 3:24; Isaiah 15:2; Isaiah 22:12; Ezekiel 27:31; Ezekiel 29:18; Amos 8:10; Micah 1:16
  • 2. S Leviticus 10:6
  • 3. Ezekiel 24:17,22; Micah 3:7
  • 4. S Leviticus 5:2; Lamentations 4:15; Luke 17:12
  • 5. Numbers 5:1-4; Numbers 12:14; 2 Kings 7:3; 2 Kings 15:5; Luke 17:12

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "clothes, uncover their head"
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