Bible Strands
Leviticus 13:10
The priest will examine him, and if there is a white swelling on the skin that has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh in the swelling,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text describes a moment in the Mosaic legal code where a priest inspects a person brought for a suspected skin disease to determine ritual status. This diagnostic step occurs immediately after the initial report of the affliction and precedes any formal pronouncement of uncleanness.
The words — The phrase וְרָאָה הַכֹּהֵן (ve-ra'ah ha-kohein) translates literally as "and the priest will see," emphasizing the required visual inspection. The term שְׂאֵת לְבָנָה (se'et levanah) means "white swelling," specifying the exact physical marker that triggers the examination protocol.
The thread — This diagnostic sequence repeats in Leviticus 13:3, where white hair in a lesion initiates the same priestly assessment. The procedural outcome appears in Leviticus 13:11, which mandates a declaration of uncleanness for chronic cases, while the narrative weight of such afflictions surfaces in 2 Kings 5:27 and 2 Chronicles 26:19.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to recognize that ritual status depends on observable physical criteria rather than personal judgment. It establishes a clear boundary where specific symptoms dictate religious classification without immediate isolation or moral condemnation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the rising be white in the skin, and it have turned the hair white, and there be quick raw flesh in the rising;
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 5:27 Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.
- 2 Chronicles 26:19 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.
- Leviticus 13:3 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.
- Leviticus 13:14 But whenever raw flesh appears on someone, he will be unclean.
- Leviticus 13:24 When there is a burn on someone’s skin and the raw area of the burn becomes reddish-white or white,
- Numbers 12:10 As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous,
- Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
- Amos 5:10 There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate and despise him who speaks with integrity.
- John 3:19 And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil.
- John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that its works are evil.