Leviticus 13:27 - The priest shall examine him on the seventh day. If it has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Leviticus 13:27" mean?
This verse is part of a longer passage in Leviticus (chapters 13 and 14) dealing with skin diseases, specifically focusing on how priests were to identify and deal with what was called "leprosy" (Hebrew: tsara'at). It's important to understand that the biblical term tsara'at likely covered a broader range of skin conditions than what we modernly define as Hansen's Disease (the disease we now call leprosy).
Let's break down the verse:
"The priest shall examine him on the seventh day." This refers back to a process that started earlier in the chapter. When someone suspected they had a contagious skin disease, they were to present themselves to the priest. The priest would then examine them and, if the symptoms were inconclusive, would isolate the person for a period of seven days. This verse marks the end of that initial seven-day isolation and observation.
"If it has spread in the skin..." This is the key criterion. After the initial examination and a week of isolation, the priest is looking to see if the suspected skin condition has worsened, specifically by spreading. This spreading indicates a more serious or infectious issue.
"...then the priest shall pronounce him unclean." If the condition has spread, the priest declares the person ritually unclean. This "uncleanness" was not just a medical diagnosis; it had significant social and religious implications. An unclean person was often isolated from the community to prevent potential contagion and was barred from participating in certain religious rituals.
"It is the plague of leprosy." As mentioned earlier, "tsara'at" (translated as "leprosy" in many English Bibles) encompassed more than just Hansen's Disease. It could include a variety of skin ailments, potentially including fungal infections, psoriasis, eczema, and other conditions. The point here is that the spreading condition, whatever it may be, falls under the category of tsara'at and requires the prescribed ritual response.
In summary, this verse describes a key step in the priestly examination of a suspected skin disease. If, after a week of observation, the condition has spread, the priest is to declare the person ritually unclean due to the presence of tsara'at. This judgment had significant social and religious consequences for the individual.
Important Considerations:
Not Just Hansen's Disease: It's crucial to remember that the biblical term "leprosy" is not synonymous with modern Hansen's Disease.
Ritual Purity: The laws in Leviticus regarding purity and impurity were central to the Israelites' understanding of their relationship with God and their community. Being declared "unclean" was not necessarily a judgment of moral character, but rather a statement about ritual status.
Social Implications: Ritual uncleanness often led to isolation and restrictions on social interaction.
Context: This verse must be understood within the broader context of Leviticus 13 and 14, which provide detailed instructions on how to identify, manage, and eventually cleanse individuals affected by various skin conditions.
Leviticus 13:27 - The priest shall examine him on the seventh day. If it has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy.
What does "Leviticus 13:27" mean?
This verse is part of a longer passage in Leviticus (chapters 13 and 14) dealing with skin diseases, specifically focusing on how priests were to identify and deal with what was called "leprosy" (Hebrew: tsara'at). It's important to understand that the biblical term tsara'at likely covered a broader range of skin conditions than what we modernly define as Hansen's Disease (the disease we now call leprosy).
Let's break down the verse:
"The priest shall examine him on the seventh day." This refers back to a process that started earlier in the chapter. When someone suspected they had a contagious skin disease, they were to present themselves to the priest. The priest would then examine them and, if the symptoms were inconclusive, would isolate the person for a period of seven days. This verse marks the end of that initial seven-day isolation and observation.
"If it has spread in the skin..." This is the key criterion. After the initial examination and a week of isolation, the priest is looking to see if the suspected skin condition has worsened, specifically by spreading. This spreading indicates a more serious or infectious issue.
"...then the priest shall pronounce him unclean." If the condition has spread, the priest declares the person ritually unclean. This "uncleanness" was not just a medical diagnosis; it had significant social and religious implications. An unclean person was often isolated from the community to prevent potential contagion and was barred from participating in certain religious rituals.
"It is the plague of leprosy." As mentioned earlier, "tsara'at" (translated as "leprosy" in many English Bibles) encompassed more than just Hansen's Disease. It could include a variety of skin ailments, potentially including fungal infections, psoriasis, eczema, and other conditions. The point here is that the spreading condition, whatever it may be, falls under the category of tsara'at and requires the prescribed ritual response.
In summary, this verse describes a key step in the priestly examination of a suspected skin disease. If, after a week of observation, the condition has spread, the priest is to declare the person ritually unclean due to the presence of tsara'at. This judgment had significant social and religious consequences for the individual.
Important Considerations:
Not Just Hansen's Disease: It's crucial to remember that the biblical term "leprosy" is not synonymous with modern Hansen's Disease.
Ritual Purity: The laws in Leviticus regarding purity and impurity were central to the Israelites' understanding of their relationship with God and their community. Being declared "unclean" was not necessarily a judgment of moral character, but rather a statement about ritual status.
Social Implications: Ritual uncleanness often led to isolation and restrictions on social interaction.
Context: This verse must be understood within the broader context of Leviticus 13 and 14, which provide detailed instructions on how to identify, manage, and eventually cleanse individuals affected by various skin conditions.