Leviticus 13:5 - The priest shall examine him on the seventh day, and, behold, if in his eyes the plague is arrested, and the plague hasn’t spread in the skin, then the priest shall isolate him for seven more days.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 13:5

What does "Leviticus 13:5" mean?


This verse from Leviticus 13:5 describes a procedure for dealing with a skin disease, most likely a form of leprosy or another similar condition. Let's break it down:

"The priest shall examine him on the seventh day..." The priest (Kohen) was responsible for determining if someone had a contagious skin disease. After an initial assessment, the person was quarantined, and then re-examined on the seventh day.

"...and, behold, if in his eyes the plague is arrested..." "Arrested" means the disease hasn't gotten worse. The priest is looking to see if the appearance of the affected area has improved or at least stabilized. Here, the phrase "in his eyes" isn't necessarily literal. It means "according to the priest's professional judgment and assessment."

"...and the plague hasn’t spread in the skin..." This is a continuation of the previous point. The priest is specifically checking if the affected area has grown or if new lesions have appeared.

"...then the priest shall isolate him for seven more days." If the disease hasn't worsened after the initial seven-day quarantine, the priest extends the isolation period for another seven days. This is a precautionary measure to ensure the disease is truly contained and not just in a temporary remission.

In essence, the verse outlines a process of observation and quarantine to prevent the spread of contagious skin diseases. If, after an initial seven-day isolation period, the disease appears to be stable (not getting worse or spreading), the person is isolated for another week to ensure it's safe for them to return to the community.

Important Considerations:

"Plague": The term "plague" in Leviticus often refers to a wide range of skin diseases, not just bubonic plague.
Purpose: The primary goal of these laws was public health and preventing the spread of contagious diseases in the community.
Diagnosis: It is important to consult doctors and scientists for medical diagnoses, not solely rely on biblical texts.

This verse highlights the importance of observation, quarantine, and professional judgment in dealing with contagious diseases, even in ancient times.

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