Or if there be any flesh, in the skin whereof there is a hot burning, and the quick flesh that burneth have a white bright spot, somewhat reddish, or white;

LEVITICUS 13:24KJV
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Leviticus 13:24 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 13:24 mean?

Leviticus 13:24 explains what should be done if someone has a burn on their skin and, as it heals, a bright spot appears that is either white with some redness or completely white. The verse describes a specific kind of skin change that the priests needed to examine to determine if it was a serious skin disease.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses and Aaron instructions for the priests about how to identify different kinds of skin conditions among the Israelites. The verse focuses on burns that develop unusual spots, which could be signs of something more serious than a simple injury. The priests were responsible for looking closely at these symptoms to decide if the person was clean or needed to be separated from the community for health reasons.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 13:24

  • flesh (בָּשָׂר, basar): This word refers to the living body or skin of a person, highlighting that the instructions are about visible, physical conditions on a person’s actual skin.
  • skin (עוֹר, `or): This term means the outer covering of the body, making it clear that the issue is something seen on the surface, not a hidden problem.
  • hot (אֵשׁ, esh) and burning (מִכְוָה, mikhvah): "Esh" means fire, and "mikhvah" refers to a burn or scar from heat. Together, they show the verse is talking about a burn injury, not just any skin mark.
  • spot (נֶגַע, nega`): This word is often used for a mark or plague, signaling that the spot could be a sign of a disease, not just a normal part of healing.
  • reddish (אָדַם, adam) and white (לָבָן, lavan): These color words describe the appearance of the spot, which helps the priest know what to look for and how to judge the seriousness of the condition.

Why Leviticus 13:24 matters

  • Leviticus 13:24 shows that not every skin change after an injury was automatically considered a disease; careful observation was needed to avoid misjudging a healing wound as something contagious.
  • The verse highlights the priest’s role as both a spiritual and practical health official, responsible for the well-being of the community.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section about ritual cleanliness, showing the Israelites’ concern for both physical health and spiritual purity in daily life.

Where else these words appear

“burning” Hebrew H4348 · used in 3 verses

  • Leviticus 13:25 Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in sight deeper than the skin; it is a leprosy broken out of the burning: wherefore the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy.
  • Leviticus 13:28 And if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not in the skin, but it be somewhat dark; it is a rising of the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him clean: for it is an inflammation of the burning.

“reddish” Hebrew H125 · used in 6 verses

  • Leviticus 13:19 And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be shewed to the priest;
  • Leviticus 13:42 And if there be in the bald head, or bald forehead, a white reddish sore; it is a leprosy sprung up in his bald head, or his bald forehead.
  • Leviticus 13:49 And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be shewed unto the priest:

“quick” Hebrew H4241 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
  • Judges 6:4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
  • 2 Chronicles 14:13 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.

“spot” Hebrew H934 · used in 11 verses

  • 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 13:23 But if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not, it is a burning boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
  • Leviticus 13:28 And if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not in the skin, but it be somewhat dark; it is a rising of the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him clean: for it is an inflammation of the burning.