Leviticus 13:17 - and the priest shall examine him; and, behold, if the plague has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him clean of the plague. He is clean.
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What does "Leviticus 13:17" mean?
This verse is part of the elaborate system of diagnosing and dealing with skin diseases, specifically those considered "leprosy" (though the term likely encompassed a range of conditions) in Leviticus 13.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its implications:
"and the priest shall examine him;" - The priest, as a religious authority, was responsible for diagnosing and declaring someone clean or unclean based on the skin condition. This wasn't solely a medical diagnosis, but a ritual one with significant social and religious consequences.
"and, behold, if the plague has turned white," - The verse refers to a previous skin condition (likely a sore, scab, or swelling described in earlier verses) that has now turned white. In this specific context, a change towards whiteness, after initially appearing as a potentially troubling symptom, is a positive indicator.
"then the priest shall pronounce him clean of the plague." - If the priest observes the whiteness, he declares the person ritually "clean."
"He is clean." - This is the crucial outcome. The declaration of cleanliness allows the person to reintegrate into the community, participate in religious ceremonies, and resume normal life. Someone declared unclean was effectively ostracized, living apart from society and considered ritually impure.
Key Interpretations and Implications:
Context is Critical: This verse makes sense only in the context of the preceding verses, which detail various symptoms and their progressions. It's important to look at what color the 'plague' was before it turned white.
Ritual Cleansing, Not Necessarily Medical Cure: The focus is on ritual purity and acceptance back into the community. The "plague" may not have been completely gone, but the change in appearance signifies a shift in its nature or severity that allows for ritual cleanliness.
Social and Religious Significance: The declaration of "clean" or "unclean" had profound social and religious consequences. It determined a person's ability to participate in religious life and interact with others.
The Nature of "Leprosy": It's important to understand that the term "leprosy" in the Bible likely covered a broader range of skin conditions than modern-day Hansen's disease. Some of these conditions may have been self-limiting or non-contagious.
Divine Authority: The priest acted as an agent of God, interpreting the signs and making pronouncements based on the divine law.
In essence, this verse describes a specific scenario in which a skin condition, potentially initially worrisome, changes in a way that allows the priest to declare the individual ritually clean and reintegrate them into society. It highlights the intersection of religious authority, social practices, and perceived physical ailments in ancient Israel.
Leviticus 13:17 - and the priest shall examine him; and, behold, if the plague has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him clean of the plague. He is clean.
What does "Leviticus 13:17" mean?
This verse is part of the elaborate system of diagnosing and dealing with skin diseases, specifically those considered "leprosy" (though the term likely encompassed a range of conditions) in Leviticus 13.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its implications:
"and the priest shall examine him;" - The priest, as a religious authority, was responsible for diagnosing and declaring someone clean or unclean based on the skin condition. This wasn't solely a medical diagnosis, but a ritual one with significant social and religious consequences.
"and, behold, if the plague has turned white," - The verse refers to a previous skin condition (likely a sore, scab, or swelling described in earlier verses) that has now turned white. In this specific context, a change towards whiteness, after initially appearing as a potentially troubling symptom, is a positive indicator.
"then the priest shall pronounce him clean of the plague." - If the priest observes the whiteness, he declares the person ritually "clean."
"He is clean." - This is the crucial outcome. The declaration of cleanliness allows the person to reintegrate into the community, participate in religious ceremonies, and resume normal life. Someone declared unclean was effectively ostracized, living apart from society and considered ritually impure.
Key Interpretations and Implications:
Context is Critical: This verse makes sense only in the context of the preceding verses, which detail various symptoms and their progressions. It's important to look at what color the 'plague' was before it turned white.
Ritual Cleansing, Not Necessarily Medical Cure: The focus is on ritual purity and acceptance back into the community. The "plague" may not have been completely gone, but the change in appearance signifies a shift in its nature or severity that allows for ritual cleanliness.
Social and Religious Significance: The declaration of "clean" or "unclean" had profound social and religious consequences. It determined a person's ability to participate in religious life and interact with others.
The Nature of "Leprosy": It's important to understand that the term "leprosy" in the Bible likely covered a broader range of skin conditions than modern-day Hansen's disease. Some of these conditions may have been self-limiting or non-contagious.
Divine Authority: The priest acted as an agent of God, interpreting the signs and making pronouncements based on the divine law.
In essence, this verse describes a specific scenario in which a skin condition, potentially initially worrisome, changes in a way that allows the priest to declare the individual ritually clean and reintegrate them into society. It highlights the intersection of religious authority, social practices, and perceived physical ailments in ancient Israel.