Keraia
Leviticus 13

Leviticus 13:20

Laws about Skin Diseases · Leviticus 13:1–46
Read Leviticus 13

Translations

Modern
The priest shall examine it, and if it appears to be beneath the skin and the hair in it has turned white, the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a diseased infection that has broken out in the boil.
Traditional
And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
Literal
And the priest shall examine him and behold, if its appearance is lower than the skin and its hair has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a plague of leprosy, it has broken out in the boil.
Latin
Qui cum viderit locum lepræ humiliorem carne reliqua, et pilos versos in candorem, contaminabit eum: plaga enim lepræ orta est in ulcere.

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
The priest shall examine it, and if it appears to be beneath the skin and the hair in it has turned white, the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a diseased infection that has broken out in the boil.

Notes

Leviticus 13:1–46

a skin disease: The Hebrew word tsaraʿat refers to more than Hansen’s disease (leprosy), which is rare and severely disfiguring. In Leviticus, the word describes many different conditions. These include:

A key test was whether the condition spread to other parts of the body (13:5–8). If it did, they quarantined the person while the disorder lasted (13:46). Not only people, but also clothing and even buildings could become infected (13:47–59; 14:33–53).

Leviticus 13:1–14:57

Regarding regulations for infections, the idea of "normal" and "abnormal" is important (see “Clean, Unclean, and Holy” Theme Note). Infections in people, clothing, or buildings are not normal. They indicate disease and death. This is the opposite of wholeness. So, infections make a person ceremonially unclean.

Parallels

Numbers 5:1–4

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Boil Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Law of Moses Leper, Leprosy Leviticus, Book of Medicine and Medical Practice Naaman Priesthood Worship

Topics

Boil: Levitical Ceremonies Prescribed For Leprosy: The Priests: had Rules for Distinguishing Priests: Services of Deciding in Cases of Leprosy Sanitation: Contagion