Levítico 13
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Levítico 13
NJB (MT versing) The Test for Leprosy The Law Concerning Leprosy The Diagnosis of Leprosy Law Concerning Skin Diseases Human Skin Diseases a. swelling, scabs, discolorations 13:1-8 13:1-8 13:1 13:1-8 13:1-6 13:2-8 13:7-8 b. cases of dormant skin diseases 13:9-17 13:9-11 13:9-17 13:9-17 13:9-11 13:12-17 13:12-17 c. ulcers 13:18-23 13:18-23 13:18-23 13:18-23 13:18-23 d. burns 13:24-28 13:24-28 13:24-28 13:24-28 13:24-28 e. diseases of the scalp and chin 13:29-37 13:29-37 13:29-37 13:29-37 13:29-37 f. rash 13:38-39 13:38-46 13:38-39 13:38-39 13:38-39 g. loss of hair 13:40-44 13:40-44 13:40-44 13:40-44 The Law Governing Cases of Contagious Skin Diseases 13:45-46 13:45-46 13:45-46 13:45-46 The Law Concerning Leprous Garments Laws Concerning Mildew Infections of Clothing 13:47-52 13:47-58 13:47-52 13:47-52 13:47-52 13:53-55 13:53-55 13:53-58 13:53-55 13:56-58 13:56-58 13:56-58 13:59 13:59 13:59 13:59 13:59 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Leviticus 13-14 forms a unified context based on uncleanness in humans, garments, houses. Brief Outline of Leviticus 13-14 Lev. 13:1-46, unclean skin diseases in humans swelling (BDB 673) scab (BDB 705, JPSOA, "rash") bright spot (BDB 97, JPSOA, "discoloration") other skin problems Lev. 13:47-55, unclean marks in fabrics Lev. 14:1-32, procedures for cleansing Lev. 14:33-53, deals with marks in houses and how to make them clean Lev. 14:54-57, typical editorial summary of the laws of "leprosy" There are several types of skin diseases discussed here. a swelling a scab a bright spot the collective term "leprosy" However, most modern physicians assume that this does not include what we know today as leprosy. The reason for this is that the priest had the option of quarantining the person for seven or fourteen days and then making a determination according to the progression of the disease. Modern leprosy is a very slow developing disease and would, therefore, be excluded from this criteria. This context would involve things such as eczema or skin diseases which have an oozing fluid or which are highly contagious and would affect the entire community. This does show that the rights of the individual were limited to the rights and well-being of the community. For a good discussion of "leprosy" in Leviticus, see ABD, vol. 4, pp. 277-282.
Levítico 13:1-8
13:1 This opening phrase matches Lev. 11:1, but not Lev. 12:1. One wonders why. The book of Leviticus is an editorial process over a long period of time. Much goes back to the Tabernacle, but not all. ▣ "man" This is the term adam (BDB 9, Lev. 13:9) used in a generic sense (i.e., any person, cf. Lev. 13:29,38). 13:2 "swelling" The MT has "swelling" (BDB 673, NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 737, #2), but AB, p. 773, suggests that it does not come from the VERBAL root "to lift" or "to rise," but advocates the translation of the Targums. deep spot (i.e., indented) prominent mark mark ▣ "scab" See note at Lev. 13:6. ▣ "a bright spot" This translates "spot" (BDB 97); it may relate to an eruption of bodily fluids a feverish, discolored place (whitish and hot, like a boil), cf Lev. 13:10,19 ▣ "an infection of leprosy" "a leprous sore" NRSV, LXX "a leprous disease" "dreaded skin disease" "a contagious skin disease" "scaly affection" The MT has "mark" or "stroke" (BDB 619, #3) CONSTRUCT "leprosy" (BDB 863) but see note in Contextual Insights, C. 13:3 The priest is to be the one to test the different kinds of skin diseases. A brief outline of the type of tests would help us see the structure of this chapter. Lev. 13:10-17 deals with raw flesh Lev. 13:18-23 deals with boils (NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 81) Lev. 13:24-28 deals with burns Lev. 13:29-37 deals with head infections Lev. 13:38-39 deals with eczema (white spots) Lev. 13:40-44 deals with baldness ▣ "look" This VERB (BDB 906, KB 1157) is used often in the sense of "examine (cf. Lev. 13:3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 39, 43, 50, 51, 53, 55, 56, 57). The priests were responsible for the spiritual and physical health of the community. Israel must be a people without blemish because they represented "the holy one of Israel" (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HOLY ONE). ▣ "hair" In the context of Leviticus 13-14 human hair color in an infected area is mentioned several times as a way to determine "clean" or "unclean." white ‒ Lev. 13:3-4,10,21,25,26 yellow ‒ Lev. 13:30,32,36 black ‒ Lev. 13:31,37 Being "unclean" excluded one from worship and also, in certain cases, from community. 13:4 "isolate" This VERB (BDB 688, KB 742, Hiphil PERFECT with waw) is used for quarantining a contagious person from the community (cf. Lev. 13:4, 5, 11, 21, 26, 31, 33, 50 ,54; 14:38,46). Miriam is isolated for leprosy in Num. 12:14-15. Usually it was for a specific period of time. seven days fourteen days permanently until healing or death There is another possible meaning that "isolate" relates to the sore, possibly drawing a line around it to see if it spreads. 13:5 "seventh day" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #4. ▣ "spread" This VERB (BDB 832, KB 979) occurs only in this literary unit (i.e., Leviticus 13-14), but it occurs 22 times. Spreading was one of the criteria for determining if someone/something was "unclean." 13:6 Notice the criteria the priest used to pronounce an infected person clean. the infection (BDB 619, lit. "mark" or "stroke") has faded it has not spread ▣ NASB, NJB, Peshitta "a scab" NKJV, TEV "a sore" "an eruption" "a rash" "a mark" This term (תחפס, BDB 705, KB 764) occurs only here (Lev. 13:2, 6, 7, 8) and Lev. 14:56. Its meaning is uncertain. KB lists a related root from Ethiopia (KB 764 III), which means "spread out" or from KB 764 II, "make scabby" (i.e., related to חפס). It may relate to חפס (BDB I, II) to "pour," i.e., eruption of fluids. 13:7 "spreads farther" This grammatical construct of intensity (i.e., an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and an IMPERFECT VERB of the same root, BDB 832, KB 979) appears four times (i.e., Lev. 13:7, 22, 27, 35).
Levítico 13:9-17
13:9-10 There is a distinction between "the mark" or "the stroke" (BDB 619) of Lev. 13:2 and 13:9. But exactly how is uncertain because of the ambiguity of the terms. In Lev. 13:10 there are new criteria for judging. white swelling in the skin hair in the spot is also white raw flesh (cf. Lev. 13:14-15) This type of skin disease must be isolated. 13:10 "swelling" The NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 737, suggests several different translations for this Hebrew word. swelling ‒ Lev. 13:2; 14:56 white blotch ‒ Lev. 13:10,19 scar/blotch of a burn ‒ Lev. 13:28 inflamed swelling ‒ Lev. 13:43 There are so many of these terms describing medical conditions that moderns are not sure about. Obviously, they were terms of their ANE vocabulary which do not fit or conform to modern medical terminology. 13:12-13 If it spreads to the whole body, Lev. 13:12, it is a non-infectious skin disease and the person is pronounced clean. 13:12 "breaks out farther" This is another intensified grammatical form (i.e., an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB, BDB 827, KB 965). This probably refers to a skin disease that causes the skin to lose all pigment. This ailment is not contagious (Lev. 13:13).
Levítico 13:18-23
13:18 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV "a boil" "ulcer" "an inflamation" "fester" "a festering sore" The MT has "boil" or "eruption" (BDB 1006), which is related to the Arabic and Aramaic root "to be hot." The same root is used of the "boils" in the plagues on Egypt (i.e., Deut. 28:27,35). Notice what the priest is looking for (Lev. 13:19-20). white swelling reddish-white, bright spot appears lower than the skin hair on it has turned white The same criteria is used for burns (cf. Lev. 13:24-28). 13:23 "scar" This FEMININE NOUN (BDB 863) is translated "scab," "scar." It occurs only in Lev. 13:23,28. It is related to the VERB "to burn" or "to scorch" (BDB 863) and may refer to the healed wound of the burning.
Levítico 13:29-37
13:30-32 This describes the physical criteria for a pronouncement of "unclean" connected to a head/beard (i.e., scales, BDB 683). appears deeper than the skin has yellowish hair in it it is scaly (BDB 683) if it has not spread after seven days the person is "clean"; they must shave wash his/her clothes 13:30 NASB, REB "scale" NKJV, JPSOA, NET "scaly" NRSV, NIV "itch" "rupture" "ringworm" The MT has "scab" (BDB 683), which is from the VERB "to pull," "to draw," or "to tear away," which denotes intensive and recurrent itching.
Levítico 13:38-39
13:38-39 This is a different skin disorder but one that is not contagious. AB, p. 800, calls it "vitiligo" or "leukoderma," which is common in tropical climates. the NASB translated this (BDB 97) as "eczema" NRSV and NJB have "rash" UBS Handbook, p. 196, suggests "harmless eruption of the skin"; TEV, "only a blemish" This word occurs only here. 13:39 "eczema" This seems to refer to a particular kind of skin disease called "leukoderma," which, although it changes the pigmentation of the skin, is not contagious and is not considered unclean.
Levítico 13:40-44
13:40 "he is bald; he is clean" I simply added this for all of you men who have been wondering!!! 13:44 "The priest shall surely pronounce him unclean" The VERB is another intensified grammatical form (i.e., an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB from the same root, BDB 389, KB 375).
Levítico 13:45-46
13:45-46 "As for the leper who had the infection" This is a series of procedures which a person designated as "unclean" must perform in order to warn his covenant partners of his ceremonial contamination. He shall tear his clothes in a symbolic fashion of mourning. He shall let the hair of his head go unkempt. he shall cover his mustache. He shall cry, "Unclean! Unclean!" From 2 Kgs. 7:3, we also know that lepers may have lived in colonies outside the camp. Leprosy was a terrible disease because it excluded one from the normal joys of life and from his or her own family. Some would see by this that leprosy was a divine punishment for sin, somewhat like barrenness in women. However, they base this on Uzziah's getting leprosy because he disobeyed God, but making a general statement is probably inappropriate.
Levítico 13:47-52
13:47 "When a garment has a mark of leprosy in it" This apparently deals with mildew in garments (i.e., linen, wool, leather). This passage of Scripture is pretty much self-explanatory. 13:48 The terms "warp" or "woof" (BDB 1059, NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 262 and BDB 786 II, NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 523), found in Lev. 13:48ff in the NASB version, is extremely difficult to understand. This term, although used several times in this particular context, is found only here in the entire Old Testament and we must admit that we are not sure what it means. Best guess is that the mildew or mold is deep in the fabric or has caused an indentation.
Levítico 13:53-55
13:54-57 This is a summary statement. These editorial comments are common in Leviticus (cf. Lev. 11:46-47; 12:7b; 13:54-59; 14:32,54-57; 15:32-33). They show the process of compilation which produced (i.e., under inspiration; see SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION) the current book of Leviticus. 13:54-55 "wash. . .fire" These were two different procedures to restore ceremonial purity. See SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE.