Bible Strands
Leviticus 13:38
When a man or a woman has white spots on the skin,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The text continues Moses’ transmission of YHWH’s instructions to Aaron and the priests regarding the examination of skin conditions. This clause functions as the opening condition for a specific diagnostic scenario within the broader purity code.
The words — The Hebrew word בֶּהָרֹת (be.ha.Rot) translates literally to "bright spots," while the phrase וְאִישׁ אוֹ אִשָּׁה (ve.'Ish 'o 'i.Shah) establishes the subject as "and a man or a woman."
The thread — This verse introduces a precise visual criterion within the Levitical framework for assessing ritual status on the flesh. It directly precedes the priestly examination in Leviticus 13:39 and follows the healing indicator in Leviticus 13:37.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to accept that ritual classification depends on observable physical markers rather than personal opinion. It establishes a standardized method for evaluating skin conditions before any pronouncement of cleanliness or impurity.
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
If a man also or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, even white bright spots;