Leviticus 13:46

Authorized King James Version

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All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.

Original Language Analysis

כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 1 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְמֵ֞י All the days H3117
יְמֵ֞י All the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 13
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
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 3 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַנֶּ֥גַע wherein the plague H5061
הַנֶּ֥גַע wherein the plague
Strong's: H5061
Word #: 4 of 13
a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)
בּ֛וֹ H0
בּ֛וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 13
יִטְמָ֖א shall be in him he shall be defiled H2930
יִטְמָ֖א shall be in him he shall be defiled
Strong's: H2930
Word #: 6 of 13
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
טָמֵ֣א he is unclean H2931
טָמֵ֣א he is unclean
Strong's: H2931
Word #: 7 of 13
foul in a religious sense
ה֑וּא H1931
ה֑וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 8 of 13
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
בָּדָ֣ד alone H910
בָּדָ֣ד alone
Strong's: H910
Word #: 9 of 13
separate; adverb, separately
יֵשֵׁ֔ב he shall dwell H3427
יֵשֵׁ֔ב he shall dwell
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 10 of 13
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
מִח֥וּץ without H2351
מִח֥וּץ without
Strong's: H2351
Word #: 11 of 13
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה the camp H4264
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה the camp
Strong's: H4264
Word #: 12 of 13
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
מֽוֹשָׁבֽוֹ׃ shall his habitation H4186
מֽוֹשָׁבֽוֹ׃ shall his habitation
Strong's: H4186
Word #: 13 of 13
a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population

Analysis & Commentary

All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.

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.

Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
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. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Questions for Reflection

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