Leviticus 13:59 - This is the law of the plague of mildew in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp, or the woof, or in anything of skin, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.
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What does "Leviticus 13:59" mean?
Leviticus 13:59 concludes a lengthy section in Leviticus 13 that deals with identifying and dealing with mildew (or possibly mold, depending on the translation) in clothing and items made of wool, linen, or skin. Let's break down the verse and its context:
"This is the law of the plague of mildew...": This phrase introduces a summary statement of the preceding instructions. It highlights that the previous verses detailed the rules and procedures for identifying and dealing with mildew.
"...in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp, or the woof, or in anything of skin...": This specifies the types of materials affected by the mildew. "Warp" and "woof" refer to the lengthwise and crosswise threads in a woven fabric, respectively. The "anything of skin" refers to leather or other items made from animal hides.
"...to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.": This emphasizes the priest's role as the official who had the authority to determine whether an item was contaminated and therefore ritually unclean, or whether it was free from the mildew and therefore ritually clean. The priest would follow the procedures outlined in the preceding verses to make this determination.
In simpler terms, the verse summarizes the entire section on mildew, stating that these are the rules to follow when inspecting wool, linen, or leather items for mildew, so the priest can decide if the item is clean or unclean according to religious law.
Important Considerations:
Ritual Purity: The concept of "clean" and "unclean" in Leviticus is related to ritual purity, not necessarily hygiene in the modern sense. Items deemed "unclean" would require specific purification rituals before they could be used again.
Possible Medical Significance: While the passage deals with ritual purity, some scholars believe there may have been a practical health component as well. Mold and mildew can cause health problems, so these rules may have helped to prevent the spread of disease.
Symbolic Interpretation: Beyond the literal interpretation, some theologians see symbolic meaning in these laws. The spread of mildew can be seen as a metaphor for the spread of sin or impurity, and the need for purification.
Therefore, verse 59 is the conclusion of the rules for identifying and dealing with mildew in fabrics and leather. It re-emphasizes the role of the priest in determining the ritual status of the affected item: either clean or unclean, based on the detailed regulations provided previously.
Leviticus 13:59 - This is the law of the plague of mildew in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp, or the woof, or in anything of skin, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.
What does "Leviticus 13:59" mean?
Leviticus 13:59 concludes a lengthy section in Leviticus 13 that deals with identifying and dealing with mildew (or possibly mold, depending on the translation) in clothing and items made of wool, linen, or skin. Let's break down the verse and its context:
"This is the law of the plague of mildew...": This phrase introduces a summary statement of the preceding instructions. It highlights that the previous verses detailed the rules and procedures for identifying and dealing with mildew.
"...in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp, or the woof, or in anything of skin...": This specifies the types of materials affected by the mildew. "Warp" and "woof" refer to the lengthwise and crosswise threads in a woven fabric, respectively. The "anything of skin" refers to leather or other items made from animal hides.
"...to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.": This emphasizes the priest's role as the official who had the authority to determine whether an item was contaminated and therefore ritually unclean, or whether it was free from the mildew and therefore ritually clean. The priest would follow the procedures outlined in the preceding verses to make this determination.
In simpler terms, the verse summarizes the entire section on mildew, stating that these are the rules to follow when inspecting wool, linen, or leather items for mildew, so the priest can decide if the item is clean or unclean according to religious law.
Important Considerations:
Ritual Purity: The concept of "clean" and "unclean" in Leviticus is related to ritual purity, not necessarily hygiene in the modern sense. Items deemed "unclean" would require specific purification rituals before they could be used again.
Possible Medical Significance: While the passage deals with ritual purity, some scholars believe there may have been a practical health component as well. Mold and mildew can cause health problems, so these rules may have helped to prevent the spread of disease.
Symbolic Interpretation: Beyond the literal interpretation, some theologians see symbolic meaning in these laws. The spread of mildew can be seen as a metaphor for the spread of sin or impurity, and the need for purification.
Therefore, verse 59 is the conclusion of the rules for identifying and dealing with mildew in fabrics and leather. It re-emphasizes the role of the priest in determining the ritual status of the affected item: either clean or unclean, based on the detailed regulations provided previously.