Leviticus 13:59
This is the law concerning a mildew contamination in wool or linen fabric, weave, or knit, or any leather article, for pronouncing it clean or unclean."
This is the law concerning a mildew contamination

Leviticus 13:47–58 provides the priestly procedure for examining destructive discoloration in garments and leather goods. Such contamination threatened both property and ceremonial cleanness, requiring isolation, inspection, washing, and, when necessary, destruction by fire. Israel’s worship required careful distinction between what belonged within the holy community and what had to be removed.

Lev 14:54-57 This is the law for any infectious skin disease,…
Deu 24:8-9 In cases of infectious skin diseases, be careful…
Num 5:2-3 Command the Israelites to send away from the camp…

in wool or linen fabric,

Wool and linen furnished much of Israel’s clothing and household textiles. Because garments were valuable and often difficult to replace, the law provided for reexamination after washing rather than immediate destruction. The careful process joined practical protection from spreading corruption with the covenant call to holiness.

Deu 22:11 Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.
Lev 19:19 You are to keep My statutes. You shall not crossbreed…
Ezk 44:17-18 When they enter the gates of the inner court,…

weave, or knit,

Every form of textile construction came under the priestly inspection. No ordinary area of life stood outside God’s concern for purity among His people. The same Lord who directed sacrifice and sanctuary worship also gave instruction for the care of homes, clothing, and communal health.

Exo 26:1-6 You are to construct the tabernacle itself…
Exo 28:39-40 You are to weave the tunic with fine linen,…
Exo 35:35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work…

or any leather article,

Leather served many purposes in Israel, including sandals, containers, coverings, and equipment. A spreading contamination in leather could not simply be ignored because of the article’s usefulness or value. When corruption persisted, the contaminated portion was removed so that it would not defile what remained.

Lev 11:32-33 When one of them dies and falls on something,…
Lev 15:17 Any clothing or leather on which there is an emission…
Num 31:20 And purify every garment and leather good,…

for pronouncing it clean or unclean.”

Priests bore responsibility to render a verdict according to God’s revealed standards, not personal preference. The final declaration protected the camp and taught Israel that uncleanness could not be treated casually before a holy God. These laws also point beyond external cleansing to the deeper need for cleansing from sin, accomplished through the sacrifice of Christ.

Lev 11:46-47 This is the law regarding animals, birds…
Ezk 44:23 They are to teach My people the difference…
Hag 2:13-14 So Haggai asked, “If one who is defiled by contact”…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
- The author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites.

2. Israelites
- The recipients of the laws, who were to follow these instructions as part of their covenant relationship with God.

3. Priests
- The individuals responsible for examining and pronouncing items clean or unclean according to God's law.

4. Tabernacle
- The central place of worship for the Israelites, where purity laws were especially significant.

5. Mildew Contamination
- A specific type of impurity that could affect fabrics and leather, requiring priestly examination.
Teaching Points
Holiness and Purity
The laws in Leviticus emphasize God's holiness and the need for His people to be set apart. This principle remains relevant as Christians are called to live holy lives.

Attention to Detail
The specific instructions for dealing with mildew highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands, even in seemingly small matters.

Spiritual Cleansing
Just as physical impurities required cleansing, spiritual impurities require repentance and the cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice.

Community Responsibility
The role of the priests in examining and pronouncing items clean or unclean underscores the community's responsibility to uphold God's standards.

Symbolism of Sin
Mildew can symbolize sin, which can spread and corrupt if not addressed. Believers are called to examine their lives and seek God's cleansing.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of cleanliness in Leviticus 13:59 relate to the New Testament teachings on spiritual purity?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of holiness from Leviticus to our daily lives as Christians?

3. How does the role of the priests in examining mildew reflect the role of spiritual leaders in the church today?

4. What are some "mildews" or impurities in our lives that we need to address, and how can we seek God's cleansing?

5. How does understanding the Old Testament laws enhance our appreciation of Jesus' work in fulfilling the law and offering spiritual cleansing?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 14
This chapter continues the discussion of cleansing from skin diseases and mildew, providing further context and procedures for purification.

Numbers 19
Discusses purification laws, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and holiness in the community.

Matthew 8
Jesus heals a leper, demonstrating His authority over impurity and His fulfillment of the law.

1 Peter 1
Calls believers to be holy, reflecting the holiness laws in Leviticus and their spiritual significance for Christians today.
LeprosyJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 13:1-59
The Diagnosis of Sin as Illustrated in the LeprosyR.M. Edgar Leviticus 13:1-59
The Priest's AdjudicationJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 13:1-59
Impure SurroundingsW. Clarkson Leviticus 13:47-59
The Diffusiveness of SinJ. P. Chown.Leviticus 13:47-59
The Leprosy of GarmentsJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 13:47-59
People
Aaron, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Anything, Article, Clean, Cleanse, Clothing, Contamination, Decide, Disease, Either, Garment, Judged, Knitted, Law, Leather, Leper's, Leprosy, Leprous, Linen, Mark, Material, Mildew, Plague, Pronounce, Pronouncing, Saying, Skin, Skins, Sore, Thread, Unclean, Vessel, Warp, Whether, Woof, Wool, Woolen, Woollen, Woven
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 13:59

     5392   linen

Leviticus 13:47-59

     4839   mildew

Library
Journey to Jerusalem. Ten Lepers. Concerning the Kingdom.
(Borders of Samaria and Galilee.) ^C Luke XVII. 11-37. ^c 11 And it came to pass, as they were on their way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. [If our chronology is correct, Jesus passed northward from Ephraim about forty miles, crossing Samaria (here mentioned first), and coming to the border of Galilee. He then turned eastward along that border down the wady Bethshean which separates the two provinces, and crossed the Jordan into Peræa, where we soon
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Of the Character of the Unregenerate.
Ephes. ii. 1, 2. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. AMONG all the various trusts which men can repose in each other, hardly any appears to be more solemn and tremendous, than the direction of their sacred time, and especially of those hours which they spend in the exercise of public devotion.
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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