Leviticus 13:31

31 Else if he seeth the place of the wem, or the sore, (to be) even with the nigh flesh, and the hair black, the priest shall close them seven days (then the priest shall enclose them for seven days),

Leviticus 13:31 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 13:31

And if the priest look on the plague of the scall
As it may appear in another person, brought to him for inspection and examination: and, behold, it [be] not in the sight deeper than the skin;
it do not seem to be got into the flesh, or lower than the skin: and [that there is] no black hair in it;
or, "but no black hair in it"; for, as Jarchi says, if there was a black hair in it, he would be clean, and there would be no need of shutting up; for black hair in scalls is a sign of cleanness, as it is said, ( Leviticus 13:37 ) ; it would be a clear case that such a man had no leprosy on him; for black hair is a token of a strong and healthful constitution; and there could remain no doubt about it, and it would require no further trial and examination: Ben Gersom says it means two black hairs; and further observes, that black hair in the midst of a scall is a sign of cleanness; but this being wanting, then the priest shall shut up [him that hath] the plague of the scall
seven days;
from the time of his viewing the scall; and so Ben Gersom, this is the seventh day from the time of looking upon the scall.

Leviticus 13:31 In-Context

29 A man or a woman, in whose head or beard leprosy burgeoneth, (A man or a woman, on whose head, or chin, groweth leprosy,)

30 the priest shall see them; and if the place is lower than the tother flesh, and the hair is white, and is subtler, either smaller, than it is wont (to be), the priest shall defoul them, for it is leprosy of the head, and of the beard (the priest shall pronounce them to be defiled, or unclean, for it is a leprosy of the head, or of the chin).

31 Else if he seeth the place of the wem, or the sore, (to be) even with the nigh flesh, and the hair black, the priest shall close them seven days (then the priest shall enclose them for seven days),

32 and he shall see them in the seventh day; if the wem waxeth not, and the hair is of his colour, and the place of wound is even with the tother flesh, (and he shall examine them on the seventh day; if the sore hath not grown, or not spread, and the hair is its proper colour, and the place of the sore is even with the other flesh,)

33 the man shall be shaven, without the place of the wem, and he shall be closed again by seven other days. (the man, or the woman, shall be shaved, except for the place of the sore, and they shall be enclosed again for another seven days.)