Leviticus 13:3
New International Version
The priest is to examine the sore on the skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is a defiling skin disease. When the priest examines that person, he shall pronounce them ceremonially unclean.

New Living Translation
The priest will examine the affected area of the skin. If the hair in the affected area has turned white and the problem appears to be more than skin-deep, it is a serious skin disease, and the priest who examines it must pronounce the person ceremonially unclean.

English Standard Version
and the priest shall examine the diseased area on the skin of his body. And if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a case of leprous disease. When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean.

Berean Standard Bible
The priest is to examine the infection on his skin, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin, it is a skin disease. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean.

King James Bible
And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.

New King James Version
The priest shall examine the sore on the skin of the body; and if the hair on the sore has turned white, and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a leprous sore. Then the priest shall examine him, and pronounce him unclean.

New American Standard Bible
The priest shall look at the infected area on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of leprosy; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean.

NASB 1995
“The priest shall look at the mark on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of leprosy; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean.

NASB 1977
“And the priest shall look at the mark on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of leprosy; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the priest shall look at the mark on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of leprosy; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean.

Amplified Bible
The priest shall look at the diseased spot on the skin of his body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of leprosy; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him [ceremonially] unclean.

Christian Standard Bible
The priest will examine the sore on the skin of his body. If the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is in fact a serious skin disease. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The priest will examine the infection on the skin of his body. If the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a skin disease. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean.

American Standard Version
and the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and if the hair in the plague be turned white, and the appearance of the plague be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is the plague of leprosy; and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.

Contemporary English Version
If the priest discovers that the hair in the infected area has turned white and that the infection seems more than skin deep, he will say, "This is leprosy--you are unclean."

English Revised Version
and the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and if the hair in the plague be turned white, and the appearance of the plague be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is the plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The priest will examine the disease. If the hair in the diseased area has turned white, and the diseased area looks deeper than the rest of his skin, it is an infectious skin disease. When the priest has examined him, he must declare him unclean.

Good News Translation
The priest shall examine the sore, and if the hairs in it have turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the surrounding skin, it is a dreaded skin disease, and the priest shall pronounce you unclean.

International Standard Version
The priest is to examine the skin rash on the body. If the hair on the skin rash has turned white and its appearance is deeper than the skin of his body, it's an infectious skin disease. When the priest has examined it, then he is to declare him unclean.

Majority Standard Bible
The priest is to examine the infection on his skin, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin, it is a skin disease. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean.

NET Bible
The priest must then examine the infection on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of the body, then it is a diseased infection, so when the priest examines it he must pronounce the person unclean.

New Heart English Bible
and the priest shall examine the plague in the skin of the body: and if the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the plague is deeper than the body's skin, it is the plague of leprosy; and the priest shall examine him, and pronounce him unclean.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight is deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.

World English Bible
The priest shall examine the plague in the skin of the body. If the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the plague is deeper than the body’s skin, it is the plague of leprosy; so the priest shall examine him and pronounce him unclean.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the priest has seen the plague in the skin of the flesh, and the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the plague [is] deeper than the skin of his flesh—it [is] a plague of leprosy, and the priest has seen him, and has pronounced him unclean.

Young's Literal Translation
and the priest hath seen the plague in the skin of the flesh, and the hair in the plague hath turned white, and the appearance of the plague is deeper than the skin of his flesh -- it is a plague of leprosy, and the priest hath seen him, and hath pronounced him unclean.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the priest saw the stroke in the skin of the flesh: and the hair in the stroke turned white, and the sight of the stroke deep from the skin of his flesh, it is the stroke of leprosy: and the priest saw him and defiled him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if he see the leprosy in his skin, and the hair turned white, and the place where the leprosy appears lower than the skin and the rest of the flesh: it is the stroke of the leprosy, and upon his judgment he shall be separated.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And if he sees that leprosy is in his skin, and that the hair has turned a white color, and that the place where the leprosy appears is lower than the rest of the skin and the flesh, then it is the mark of leprosy, and at his judgment he shall be separated.

New American Bible
If the priest, upon examination of the skin’s infection, finds that the hair on the infection has turned white and the infection itself appears to be deeper than the skin, it is indeed a scaly infection; the priest, on seeing this, shall declare the person unclean.

New Revised Standard Version
The priest shall examine the disease on the skin of his body, and if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a leprous disease; after the priest has examined him he shall pronounce him ceremonially unclean.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the priest shall look on the disease on the skin of his body; and if the hair in the sore is turned white and the appearance of the plague is deeper than the skin of his body, it is a plague of leprosy; and the priest shall look on it and pronounce him unclean.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Priest shall look on the sore in the skin of his flesh; if the plague in the skin of his flesh has changed and the hair of the sore has turned to be white and the appearance of the sore is deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is the plague of leprosy; the Priest shall look on it and shall declare it unclean.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the priest shall look upon the plague in the skin of the flesh; and if the hair in the plague be turned white, and the appearance of the plague be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is the plague of leprosy; and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the priest shall view the spot in the skin of his flesh; and if the hair in the spot be changed to white, and the appearance of the spot be below the skin of the flesh, it is a plague of leprosy; and the priest shall look upon it, and pronounce him unclean.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws about Skin Diseases
2“When someone has a swelling or rash or bright spot on his skin that could become an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest. 3The priest is to examine the infection on his skin, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin, it is a skin disease. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean. 4If, however, the spot on his skin is white and does not appear to be deeper than the skin, and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest shall isolate the infected person for seven days.…

Cross References
Matthew 8:2-4
Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. / Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”

Luke 17:12-14
As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance / and raised their voices, shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” / When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were on their way, they were cleansed.

Mark 1:40-44
Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” / And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed. ...

Luke 5:12-14
While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. / “Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

2 Kings 5:1-14
Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. / At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife. / She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.” ...

Numbers 12:10-15
As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous, / and said to Moses, “My lord, please do not hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed. / Please do not let her be like a stillborn infant whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.” ...

Deuteronomy 24:8
In cases of infectious skin diseases, be careful to diligently follow everything the Levitical priests instruct you. Be careful to do as I have commanded them.

2 Chronicles 26:19-21
Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the LORD before the altar of incense, leprosy broke out on his forehead. / When Azariah the chief priest and all the priests turned to him and saw his leprous forehead, they rushed him out. Indeed, he himself hurried to get out, because the LORD had afflicted him. / So King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He lived in isolation, leprous and cut off from the house of the LORD, while his son Jotham had charge of the royal palace and governed the people of the land.

Isaiah 1:6
From the sole of your foot to the top of your head, there is no soundness—only wounds and welts and festering sores neither cleansed nor bandaged nor soothed with oil.

Isaiah 53:4
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.

Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Luke 7:22
So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Mark 14:3
While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.

John 9:6-7
When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. / Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.


Treasury of Scripture

And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.

shall look

Leviticus 13:2
When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests:

Leviticus 10:10
And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

Ezekiel 44:23
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

turned

Ezekiel 16:30
How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman;

Hosea 7:9
Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.

deeper

Genesis 13:3
And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;

2 Timothy 2:16,17
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness…

2 Timothy 3:13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

pronounce

Matthew 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 18:17,18
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican…

John 20:23
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

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Leviticus 13
1. The laws whereby the priest is to be guided in discerning the leprosy.














The priest
In ancient Israel, the priest held a significant role as a mediator between God and the people. The Hebrew word for priest is "kohen," which signifies someone who is set apart for sacred duties. The priest's involvement in examining skin diseases underscores the intertwining of physical and spiritual health in the community. The priest's role was not only to diagnose but also to guide the individual in spiritual and communal restoration.

is to examine
The Hebrew verb "ra'ah" means to see, look at, or inspect. This examination was thorough and careful, reflecting the seriousness of maintaining purity within the community. The priest's examination was both a physical and spiritual assessment, ensuring that the individual was either fit to remain in the community or needed to be set apart for healing.

the sore on his skin
The term "sore" refers to a visible affliction, often associated with leprosy in biblical times. The Hebrew word "nega" can mean a plague or stroke, indicating a condition that is more than skin-deep. Skin diseases were not only medical concerns but also carried social and religious implications, affecting one's ability to participate in communal worship.

and if the hair in the sore has turned white
The change in hair color was a key diagnostic feature. White hair in a sore indicated a deeper issue, possibly a sign of leprosy. This detail highlights the meticulous nature of the priestly examination, as even small changes were significant in determining the nature of the affliction.

and the appearance of the sore is deeper than the skin of his body
This phrase indicates that the disease penetrates beyond the surface, symbolizing a deeper impurity. In a spiritual sense, it reflects how sin can penetrate beyond outward actions into the heart. The priest's role was to discern these deeper issues, guiding the community in maintaining holiness.

it is a leprous infection
Leprosy, or "tzaraath" in Hebrew, was a term for various skin diseases, not just what is known today as Hansen's disease. It was considered a serious condition, often associated with spiritual impurity. The identification of leprosy required the individual to be set apart, emphasizing the need for purity and the community's protection from defilement.

When the priest examines him
The repetition of the priest's examination underscores the importance of careful discernment. The priest acted as a judge, determining the individual's status and the necessary steps for restoration. This process reflects the broader biblical theme of God's desire for His people to be holy and set apart.

he must pronounce him unclean
The declaration of uncleanness was not merely a medical diagnosis but a spiritual and communal one. Being pronounced unclean meant separation from the community and the need for purification. This highlights the biblical principle that sin and impurity require acknowledgment and cleansing before restoration can occur.

(3) When the hair in the plague is turned white.--Better, and the hair in the plagued spot, &c. The first symptom indicating the existence of the disorder is that the hair, which is generally jet-black among the Hebrews, turns white on the affected spot. The authorities during the second Temple defined it that there must at least be two hairs white, at the root and in the body of the bright spot, before the patient can be declared unclean. The word plague, in accordance with a usage common in Hebrew--to put the abstract for the concrete--denotes here the plagued spot, or the spot affected by the plague, whilst in Leviticus 13:4 it means the person affected by this disorder. Thus in Leviticus 19:32, "the hoary head" stands for hoary-headed person.

And the plague in sight be deeper than the skin.--Better, and the appearance of the plagued spot be deeper, &c. The second symptom which shows the development of the disorder is that the spot affected by this plague appears to be deeper than the rest of the skin.

Pronounce him unclean.--Literally, make him unclean. According to the frequently occurring phraseology a man is said to do that which in his official capacity he pronounces as done, or orders to be done. Thus Ezekiel is said "to destroy the city" when he simply foretold its destruction (Ezekiel 43:3). The existence of these two symptoms made it incumbent upon the priest to declare the person unclean, and hence imparting defilement.

Verse 3. - When the hair in the plague is turned white. This is the first symptom, and the most noticeable as the commencement of the disease. The hair around the spot loses its colour and becomes thin and weak, the separate hairs being hardly stronger or individually thicker than down. The second symptom is when the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh; that is, below the upper skin, or cuticle, and in the real cutis. These two symptoms distinguish real leprosy from other affections which at first bear a similar appearance.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The priest
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

is to examine
וְרָאָ֣ה (wə·rā·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the infection
הַנֶּ֣גַע (han·ne·ḡa‘)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5061: Mark -- a blow, a spot

on his skin,
בְּעֽוֹר־ (bə·‘ō·wr-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5785: Skin, hide, leather

and if the hair
וְשֵׂעָ֨ר (wə·śê·‘ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8181: Hair

in the infection
בַּנֶּ֜גַע (ban·ne·ḡa‘)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5061: Mark -- a blow, a spot

has turned
הָפַ֣ךְ ׀ (hā·p̄aḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert

white
לָבָ֗ן (lā·ḇān)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3836: White

and the sore
הַנֶּ֙גַע֙ (han·ne·ḡa‘)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5061: Mark -- a blow, a spot

appears
וּמַרְאֵ֤ה (ū·mar·’êh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

to be deeper
עָמֹק֙ (‘ā·mōq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6013: Deep

than the skin,
מֵע֣וֹר (mê·‘ō·wr)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5785: Skin, hide, leather

it
ה֑וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is a skin disease.
צָרַ֖עַת (ṣā·ra·‘aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6883: Leprosy

After the priest
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

examines him,
וְרָאָ֥הוּ (wə·rā·’ā·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

he must pronounce him unclean.
וְטִמֵּ֥א (wə·ṭim·mê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean


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OT Law: Leviticus 13:3 And the priest shall examine the plague (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 13:2
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