Leviticus 13:4

Authorized King James Version

If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
בַּהֶרֶת֩
If the bright spot
a whitish spot on the skin
#3
לָבָ֑ן
be white
white
#4
הִ֜וא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#5
הָע֔וֹר
in the skin
skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather
#6
בְּשָׂר֗וֹ
of his flesh
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
#7
וְעָמֹק֙
be not deeper
deep (literally or figuratively)
#8
אֵין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#9
מַרְאֶ֣הָ
and in sight
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
#10
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#11
הָע֔וֹר
in the skin
skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather
#12
וּשְׂעָרָ֖ה
and the hair
hair (as if tossed or bristling)
#13
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#14
הָפַ֣ךְ
thereof be not turned
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
#15
לָבָ֑ן
be white
white
#16
וְהִסְגִּ֧יר
shall shut
to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
#17
הַכֹּהֵ֛ן
then the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#18
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
הַנֶּ֖גַע
up him that hath the plague
a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)
#20
שִׁבְעַ֥ת
seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#21
יָמִֽים׃
days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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