Leviticus 13:59

Authorized King James Version

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This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.

Original Language Analysis

זֹ֠את H2063
זֹ֠את
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 1 of 19
this (often used adverb)
תּוֹרַ֨ת This is the law H8451
תּוֹרַ֨ת This is the law
Strong's: H8451
Word #: 2 of 19
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
נֶֽגַע of the plague H5061
נֶֽגַע of the plague
Strong's: H5061
Word #: 3 of 19
a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)
צָרַ֜עַת of leprosy H6883
צָרַ֜עַת of leprosy
Strong's: H6883
Word #: 4 of 19
leprosy
בֶּ֥גֶד in a garment H899
בֶּ֥גֶד in a garment
Strong's: H899
Word #: 5 of 19
a covering, i.e., clothing
הַצֶּ֣מֶר׀ of woollen H6785
הַצֶּ֣מֶר׀ of woollen
Strong's: H6785
Word #: 6 of 19
wool
א֣וֹ H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's: H176
Word #: 7 of 19
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
הַפִּשְׁתִּ֗ים or linen H6593
הַפִּשְׁתִּ֗ים or linen
Strong's: H6593
Word #: 8 of 19
linen (i.e., the thread, as carded)
א֤וֹ H176
א֤וֹ
Strong's: H176
Word #: 9 of 19
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
הַשְּׁתִי֙ either in the warp H8359
הַשְּׁתִי֙ either in the warp
Strong's: H8359
Word #: 10 of 19
a fixture, i.e., the warp in weaving
א֣וֹ H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's: H176
Word #: 11 of 19
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
הָעֵ֔רֶב or woof H6154
הָעֵ֔רֶב or woof
Strong's: H6154
Word #: 12 of 19
the web (or transverse threads of cloth); also a mixture, (or mongrel race)
א֖וֹ H176
א֖וֹ
Strong's: H176
Word #: 13 of 19
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּלִי or any thing H3627
כְּלִי or any thing
Strong's: H3627
Word #: 15 of 19
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
ע֑וֹר of skins H5785
ע֑וֹר of skins
Strong's: H5785
Word #: 16 of 19
skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather
לְטַֽהֲר֖וֹ to pronounce it clean H2891
לְטַֽהֲר֖וֹ to pronounce it clean
Strong's: H2891
Word #: 17 of 19
to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
א֥וֹ H176
א֥וֹ
Strong's: H176
Word #: 18 of 19
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
לְטַמְּאֽוֹ׃ or to pronounce it unclean H2930
לְטַמְּאֽוֹ׃ or to pronounce it unclean
Strong's: H2930
Word #: 19 of 19
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

Analysis & Commentary

This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.

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. The tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Questions for Reflection

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