Leviticus 13:37 - But if in his eyes the itch is arrested, and black hair has grown in it; the itch is healed, he is clean. The priest shall pronounce him clean.
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What does "Leviticus 13:37" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 13:37 is part of a series of instructions about identifying and managing skin diseases that were considered ritually impure in ancient Israel. Let's break down the meaning:
"But if in his eyes the itch is arrested..." This refers to the disease, likely a type of scabies or other skin condition, that the person was being examined for. "Arrested" means the spread of the disease has stopped. The priest (the religious authority) is observing the skin carefully.
"...and black hair has grown in it..." This is a key indicator. According to the rules in Leviticus, the growth of healthy black hair in the affected area suggests that the skin condition is healing and resolving. The presence of normal hair growth signifies that the underlying problem is subsiding.
"...the itch is healed, he is clean." The combined observations—the disease not spreading and the reappearance of healthy black hair—lead to the conclusion that the person is no longer afflicted by the ritually impure condition.
"The priest shall pronounce him clean." This is the official declaration by the priest, who acts as a religious authority and health inspector. The pronouncement restores the person to full participation in religious and social life within the community.
In essence, the verse indicates that if a suspected skin disease has stopped spreading and healthy black hair is growing back in the affected area, the person is considered healed and can be declared ritually clean by the priest.
Underlying Principles
Ritual Purity: The laws in Leviticus were concerned with maintaining ritual purity within the community, both for religious and potentially for hygienic reasons (although the extent to which these were understood as connected is debated). Skin diseases were seen as defiling and required isolation and examination.
Observation and Healing: The passage emphasizes careful observation by the priest and the importance of signs of healing (like the regrowth of healthy hair) in determining the individual's status.
Social Reintegration: The declaration of "clean" was crucial for the individual to be reintegrated into the community, allowing them to participate in religious ceremonies and other social activities.
It is important to note that these laws are culturally and historically specific to ancient Israel. While they might have had some practical health benefits, they were primarily concerned with ritual and religious purity within that society.
Leviticus 13:37 - But if in his eyes the itch is arrested, and black hair has grown in it; the itch is healed, he is clean. The priest shall pronounce him clean.
What does "Leviticus 13:37" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 13:37 is part of a series of instructions about identifying and managing skin diseases that were considered ritually impure in ancient Israel. Let's break down the meaning:
"But if in his eyes the itch is arrested..." This refers to the disease, likely a type of scabies or other skin condition, that the person was being examined for. "Arrested" means the spread of the disease has stopped. The priest (the religious authority) is observing the skin carefully.
"...and black hair has grown in it..." This is a key indicator. According to the rules in Leviticus, the growth of healthy black hair in the affected area suggests that the skin condition is healing and resolving. The presence of normal hair growth signifies that the underlying problem is subsiding.
"...the itch is healed, he is clean." The combined observations—the disease not spreading and the reappearance of healthy black hair—lead to the conclusion that the person is no longer afflicted by the ritually impure condition.
"The priest shall pronounce him clean." This is the official declaration by the priest, who acts as a religious authority and health inspector. The pronouncement restores the person to full participation in religious and social life within the community.
In essence, the verse indicates that if a suspected skin disease has stopped spreading and healthy black hair is growing back in the affected area, the person is considered healed and can be declared ritually clean by the priest.
Underlying Principles
Ritual Purity: The laws in Leviticus were concerned with maintaining ritual purity within the community, both for religious and potentially for hygienic reasons (although the extent to which these were understood as connected is debated). Skin diseases were seen as defiling and required isolation and examination.
Observation and Healing: The passage emphasizes careful observation by the priest and the importance of signs of healing (like the regrowth of healthy hair) in determining the individual's status.
Social Reintegration: The declaration of "clean" was crucial for the individual to be reintegrated into the community, allowing them to participate in religious ceremonies and other social activities.
It is important to note that these laws are culturally and historically specific to ancient Israel. While they might have had some practical health benefits, they were primarily concerned with ritual and religious purity within that society.