Leviticus 13:34 - On the seventh day, the priest shall examine the itch; and behold, if the itch hasn’t spread in the skin, and its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. He shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
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What does "Leviticus 13:34" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 13:34 describes part of the process for determining whether a skin condition is ritually clean or unclean, according to the Old Testament Law. Here's a breakdown:
"On the seventh day, the priest shall examine the itch...": This refers to a follow-up examination. Previously, the person with the skin condition would have been isolated and initially examined by the priest. This verse describes what happens a week later.
"...and behold, if the itch hasn’t spread in the skin...": The priest is looking to see if the affected area has grown or expanded since the initial examination. No spreading indicates the condition is likely not a serious, contagious disease.
"...and its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin...": The depth of the affected area is also important. If the condition seems superficial and hasn't penetrated deeper layers of the skin, it's a sign that it's less likely to be a dangerous or spreading ailment.
"...then the priest shall pronounce him clean...": If both criteria are met (no spreading and not deeply rooted), the priest declares the person ritually clean. This means they are no longer considered unclean and can reintegrate into the community.
"He shall wash his clothes, and be clean.": Even though pronounced clean, the individual still needs to wash their clothes as a final act of purification. This emphasizes the importance of hygiene and symbolizes a complete return to a state of cleanness.
In summary, the verse outlines a procedure to determine if a skin condition is serious or simply a minor irritation. If the condition hasn't spread and isn't deep, the priest declares the person clean, and they become ritually purified by washing their clothes.
Important Considerations:
Ritual Cleanness vs. Physical Health: It's crucial to understand that "clean" and "unclean" in Leviticus are primarily about ritual purity and social inclusion within the Israelite community. It's not necessarily a direct judgment on whether the person is physically healthy or sick in a modern medical sense. A person could be ritually unclean due to various reasons, not just disease.
Purpose of the Laws: These laws served several purposes:
Public Health: To prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
Social Order: To maintain order and prevent panic in the community.
Symbolic Purity: To represent the holiness of God and the need for the people to maintain a state of purity in His presence.
Priestly Authority: To reinforce the authority of the priests as interpreters and enforcers of the law.
Modern Interpretation: Modern readers should approach these verses with historical and cultural context. While these specific laws are not generally followed today, they offer insights into the ancient world's understanding of health, disease, and religious practices.
Leviticus 13:34 - On the seventh day, the priest shall examine the itch; and behold, if the itch hasn’t spread in the skin, and its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. He shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
What does "Leviticus 13:34" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 13:34 describes part of the process for determining whether a skin condition is ritually clean or unclean, according to the Old Testament Law. Here's a breakdown:
"On the seventh day, the priest shall examine the itch...": This refers to a follow-up examination. Previously, the person with the skin condition would have been isolated and initially examined by the priest. This verse describes what happens a week later.
"...and behold, if the itch hasn’t spread in the skin...": The priest is looking to see if the affected area has grown or expanded since the initial examination. No spreading indicates the condition is likely not a serious, contagious disease.
"...and its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin...": The depth of the affected area is also important. If the condition seems superficial and hasn't penetrated deeper layers of the skin, it's a sign that it's less likely to be a dangerous or spreading ailment.
"...then the priest shall pronounce him clean...": If both criteria are met (no spreading and not deeply rooted), the priest declares the person ritually clean. This means they are no longer considered unclean and can reintegrate into the community.
"He shall wash his clothes, and be clean.": Even though pronounced clean, the individual still needs to wash their clothes as a final act of purification. This emphasizes the importance of hygiene and symbolizes a complete return to a state of cleanness.
In summary, the verse outlines a procedure to determine if a skin condition is serious or simply a minor irritation. If the condition hasn't spread and isn't deep, the priest declares the person clean, and they become ritually purified by washing their clothes.
Important Considerations:
Ritual Cleanness vs. Physical Health: It's crucial to understand that "clean" and "unclean" in Leviticus are primarily about ritual purity and social inclusion within the Israelite community. It's not necessarily a direct judgment on whether the person is physically healthy or sick in a modern medical sense. A person could be ritually unclean due to various reasons, not just disease.
Purpose of the Laws: These laws served several purposes:
Public Health: To prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
Social Order: To maintain order and prevent panic in the community.
Symbolic Purity: To represent the holiness of God and the need for the people to maintain a state of purity in His presence.
Priestly Authority: To reinforce the authority of the priests as interpreters and enforcers of the law.
Modern Interpretation: Modern readers should approach these verses with historical and cultural context. While these specific laws are not generally followed today, they offer insights into the ancient world's understanding of health, disease, and religious practices.