Leviticus 13:35 - But if the itch spreads in the skin after his cleansing,

Generated Verse: Leviticus 13:35

What does "Leviticus 13:35" mean?


Leviticus 13:35 is part of a detailed set of instructions in the Bible concerning skin diseases, specifically concerning "scall" (likely a type of scalp or skin fungus). The verse means:

If, after the person has been declared ceremonially clean (cleansed) following the examination of a suspected skin disease, the itch then spreads in the skin, it is a sign the disease is active and serious.

Here's a breakdown:

"But if the itch spreads in the skin..." This refers to the symptom of itching associated with the skin disease.
"...after his cleansing..." This is crucial. It means the person has already been examined by the priest and initially declared "clean" (ritually pure) after being suspected of having scall. The cleansing rituals would have been performed.
...it is a sign the disease is active..." The renewed spread of the itch, after the person was declared clean, indicated that the disease was persistent or recurring. This would then necessitate further examination and a likely declaration of "unclean".

In Context:

The purpose of these rules was to identify and isolate individuals with potentially contagious skin diseases to prevent the spread within the Israelite community. The spread of the itch after an initial clean diagnosis was a clear indicator that the disease was not fully gone, thus requiring re-evaluation.

Modern Understanding:

While the Levitical laws were about ritual purity and not necessarily medical accuracy in modern terms, the observation that spreading symptoms after an initial improvement could indicate an active infection remains relevant in understanding diseases. In modern medicine, this might relate to the recurrence of a fungal infection or another skin condition.

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