Leviticus 13:33 - then he shall be shaved, but he shall not shave the itch; and the priest shall shut him up who has the itch seven more days.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 13:33

What does "Leviticus 13:33" mean?


Leviticus 13 deals with various skin diseases, often translated as "leprosy," but likely encompassing a wider range of conditions. This verse (Leviticus 13:33) is specifically about a condition referred to as "the itch," which is probably a contagious skin disease like scabies or ringworm. Let's break down the verse:

"Then he shall be shaved..." This implies that the person afflicted with the "itch" must shave off all their hair (body and head). Shaving could have been done for hygiene purposes, to remove potential hiding places for parasites, or perhaps as a symbolic act of purification or separation.

"...but he shall not shave the itch..." This is a key point. It means the person should shave all hair except in the immediate area where the "itch" (the skin lesion) is located. The affected area itself should not be shaved. This could be because shaving the lesion directly could cause further irritation, spread infection, or interfere with the priest's ability to examine it.

"...and the priest shall shut him up who has the itch seven more days." The priest, acting as a medical authority, would isolate the person with the "itch" for another seven days. This prolonged isolation allowed the priest to observe the condition over time to determine its severity and contagiousness. The initial isolation period had already occurred before this verse. This additional quarantine was for further observation.

In essence, this verse describes a procedure for dealing with a contagious skin disease:

1. Hygiene and Potential Isolation: Shave the body hair, leaving the affected area untouched.
2. Further Observation: Isolate the person for another week to allow the priest to assess the condition's progress and determine if it is still contagious.

The aim was to prevent the spread of disease within the community. The priest played a crucial role in identifying, isolating, and potentially declaring a person "clean" after the prescribed period of observation and treatment (if any).

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