Leviticus 13
Summary for Lev 13:1-14:57: 13:1–14:57 a Concerning the regulations pertaining to infections, the principle of normal and abnormal comes into play (see thematic note for Clean, Unclean, and Holy at end of chapter). Whether in a person, clothing, or a building, infections are not normal: They indicate disease and death, the antitheses of wholeness, and were therefore declared unclean.Summary for Lev 13:1-46: 13:1-46 b a serious skin disease (Hebrew tsara‘at): The Hebrew word is much broader than the severely disfiguring Hansen’s disease (see study note on 13:2). This larger range included symptoms such as an open sore (13:10 c), a boil (13:18 d), a burn (13:24 e), a sore on the head or chin (13:29 f), shiny white patches (13:38 g), or abnormal baldness (13:40 h). A general test was whether or not the abnormality was spreading (13:5-8 i). If so, a quarantine was ordered for as long as the disorder persisted (13:46 j). Not just people, but clothing (13:47-59 k) and even buildings (14:33-53 l) could contract such infections.
13:2 m Skin disorders that were potentially contagious, such as swelling or a rash or discolored skin, required precautions to arrest their spread. Until a disorder was healed, the person was deemed unclean. The diseases described in this section may range from something as simple as an allergic rash, ringworm, or eczema to something as serious as gangrene. In Old Testament times, skin conditions were diagnosed by observation. The priests not only had a religious function, but they also served as physicians.
• one of his sons: These priestly functions were to apply to future generations of priests as well.
13:3 n more than skin-deep: This indicates that either the infection had eaten away the skin or the infection was visible beneath the skin. The white hair, together with the depression in the skin, indicated a skin disease that could spread (13:21-23 o). This made the person unclean (13:8 p).
Summary for Lev 13:4-5: 13:4-5 q The purpose of a quarantine was primarily diagnostic. It gave the priest an opportunity to examine the patient’s symptoms over a period of time.
13:8 r If the rash had spread, then the priest declared the person unclean and the isolation became long-term.
13:10 s The presence of an open sore was the crucial factor, because it indicated infection.
Summary for Lev 13:12-13: 13:12-13 t The completely white skin might refer simply to a loss of pigment (see also 13:3 u), whereas raw flesh (13:10 v, 14 w) indicated infection and ceremonial uncleanness.
Summary for Lev 13:24-25: 13:24-25 x The priest was to inspect the burned area to see if the wound had become infected (see 13:9-17 y).
• hair ... turned white: See 13:18-23 z.
13:30 aa The scabby sore suggested a fungal infection in the scalp or beard, hidden by hair. The symptoms included loss of hair and crusty skin.
Summary for Lev 13:38-39: 13:38-39 ab If a skin rash showed pus or inflammation (13:42 ac), it was probably an infection. If it only showed as a whitened area, it was probably vitiligo (leucoderma). With this harmless disorder, patches of skin lose their pigmentation.
13:42 ad A reddish white sore perhaps indicated pus and inflammation.
13:45 ae Tearing one’s clothing, letting one’s hair go uncombed, and covering the mouth were common ways of expressing mourning (10:6 af).
• The cry of Unclean! Unclean! denoted social unacceptability as much as a health threat. It warned others that the individual’s skin disorder could be contagious and that holy things should not touch the unclean person.
13:46 ag The Tabernacle containing the Ark was in the center of the camp so that God could be considered as being in the camp (Deut 23:14 ah). As long as an individual’s skin disorder persisted, he or she was to stay in isolation ... outside the camp. This ensured that the infection would not spread to others and that the uncleanness would not come in contact with holy things. Even Miriam, sister of Moses and Aaron, had to spend seven days outside the camp (Num 12:15 ai). This area was not exclusive to those suffering from skin disorders. The uneaten sin offering was taken there and burned (Lev 4:21 aj). Criminals were executed there (24:14 ak, 23 al), and corpses were carried there to avoid contaminating the area where the people lived (10:4-5 am). Even bodily functions were attended to outside the camp (Deut 23:12-14 an).
Summary for Lev 13:47-59: 13:47-59 ao The rainy season in Israel, when the weather is humid and cool, extends from mid-October through March. Mildew flourishes during this time, and the spores can trigger serious allergic reactions, posing a health problem. The regulations for mildew in clothing were similar to those for infections in people. If the mildew showed signs of spreading, it was serious. If it could be stopped or washed or cut out, a garment could be saved. This process was also similar to the treatment of rot and mold in buildings (14:33-53 ap). 13:47 aq mildew: The word refers here to a variety of molds or mildews that infected cloth or leather.
Thematic note: Clean, Unclean, and Holy
The rites and regulations establishing cleanness and uncleanness were to distinguish Israel from the surrounding nations. To understand a rationale behind these regulations, one suggestion has been that unclean things are associated with death or the ground (see, e.g., Lev 21:1 ar, 11 as; 22:8 at). Recent studies, however, suggest the principle of “normalcy.” God is a God of order. Things that are normal in God’s order are called “clean” and are “permitted.” Abnormal things would be unfit for food or offerings and would be “unclean.” A normal land animal would be a vegetarian (see Gen 1:30 au). A normal human body would have no infections or discharges. A normal piece of cloth would have no mildew on it. If abnormalities occurred, the animal, person, or cloth was unclean.
What is unclean is not sinful but represents a kind of unworthiness that cannot come in contact with what is holy (e.g., Lev 11:44-45 av). If it is cleansed, it acquires the potential for holiness; it may be dedicated to God and become holy. If what is holy (such as the Sabbath) is treated like something common, God is blasphemed and the thing is profaned. If what is clean becomes unclean, it is defiled and requires cleansing. Some things, such as unclean animals, fish, or birds, remain unclean by definition and can never be cleansed, and, thus, can never become holy.
In the new covenant, things that were previously unclean have been declared clean (Acts 10:15 aw, 28 ax, 45 ay). Yet God is still a God of order (1 Cor 14:33 az) and wants worship to be conducted in an orderly way (1 Cor 14:40 ba). While God’s grace is abundant to repentant sinners, some things are still repulsive to his holiness and should never be brought into his presence (e.g., Ananias and Sapphira’s offering; see Acts 5:1-11 bb).
Passages for Further Study
Gen 7:2 bc; Lev 11:1–15:33 bd; 21:1-23 be; 22:3-8 bf; Num 19:1-22 bg; Deut 14:1-21 bh; 21:1-9 bi; Pss 19:9 bj; 24:3-4 bk; 51:7-10 bl; Isa 52:11 bm; Matt 8:2-4 bn; John 13:10-11 bo; Acts 10:9-28 bp; Heb 9:13-15 bq, 23 br
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