Leviticus 13:29

Authorized King James Version

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If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;

Original Language Analysis

וְאִישׁ֙ If a man H376
וְאִישׁ֙ If a man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 1 of 10
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
א֣וֹ H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's: H176
Word #: 2 of 10
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
אִשָּׁ֔ה or woman H802
אִשָּׁ֔ה or woman
Strong's: H802
Word #: 3 of 10
a woman
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 4 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִהְיֶ֥ה H1961
יִהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 5 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ב֖וֹ H0
ב֖וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 6 of 10
נָ֑גַע have a plague H5061
נָ֑גַע have a plague
Strong's: H5061
Word #: 7 of 10
a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)
בְּרֹ֖אשׁ upon the head H7218
בְּרֹ֖אשׁ upon the head
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 8 of 10
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
א֥וֹ H176
א֥וֹ
Strong's: H176
Word #: 9 of 10
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
בְזָקָֽן׃ or the beard H2206
בְזָקָֽן׃ or the beard
Strong's: H2206
Word #: 10 of 10
the beard (as indicating age)

Analysis & Commentary

If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;

This verse falls within the section on Diagnosing Skin Diseases. Detailed procedures for priests to diagnose skin diseases (צָרַעַת, tzaraat), often translated 'leprosy' but covering various conditions.


Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

Historical Context

Detailed procedures for priests to diagnose skin diseases (צָרַעַת, tzaraat), often translated 'leprosy' but covering various conditions. Chapters 11-15 address ritual purity, teaching Israel to distinguish clean from unclean. These laws served multiple purposes: promoting health, teaching spiritual lessons about sin's defilement, and separating Israel from pagan practices. Archaeological evidence shows Canaanite worship involved practices Israel's laws explicitly prohibited. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Ancient sacrificial texts from cultures surrounding Israel demonstrate the widespread practice of animal sacrifice, but Israel's system uniquely emphasized moral atonement over magical efficacy.

Questions for Reflection

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