But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hair in the bright spot, and it be no lower than the other skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:

LEVITICUS 13:26KJV
Know the Bible

Leviticus 13:26 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 13:26 mean?

Leviticus 13:26 describes a situation where a priest examines a skin spot that is not clearly a serious disease: the spot does not have white hair, is not deeper than the surrounding skin, but appears somewhat dark. In this case, the priest is to isolate the person for seven days to observe whether the condition changes.

This verse is part of instructions given by God to Moses and Aaron about diagnosing skin diseases, often translated as leprosy, among the Israelites. The priest acts as a kind of health inspector, carefully checking specific signs on the skin to decide if someone is unclean or if more time is needed to be sure. The process shows a cautious approach, making sure not to declare someone unclean without clear evidence.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 13:26

  • "priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): The kohen is responsible for examining and making decisions about skin conditions, highlighting the priest’s role in both religious and community health matters.
  • "white" (לָבָן, lavan) and "hair" (שֵׂעָר, se’ar): The absence of white hair in the spot is a key diagnostic sign; white hair often indicated a more serious condition.
  • "lower" (שָׁפַל, shafal): The spot is not "lower" than the surrounding skin, meaning it is not sunken, which would be another sign of a serious disease.
  • "dark" (כֵּהֶה, keheh): The spot is "somewhat dark," suggesting it is not bright or inflamed, which would be more concerning.
  • "shut" (סָגַר, sagar): The priest is to "shut him up," meaning to isolate the person, not as punishment but as a precaution.
  • "seven" (שֶׁבַע, sheva) "days" (יֹום, yom): The seven-day period is a set time for observation, showing a measured and careful approach.

Why Leviticus 13:26 matters

  • Leviticus 13:26 shows that the priest did not rush to declare someone unclean; there was a careful process with specific signs to look for, including a period of observation.
  • This verse helps clarify that not every skin spot was automatically considered a serious disease; there was room for uncertainty and further checking.
  • The process described here connects to the larger theme in Leviticus of maintaining both ritual and physical health in the community, with the priest serving as a careful and fair judge.

Where else these words appear

“dark” Hebrew H3544 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 13:6 And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague be somewhat dark, and the plague spread not in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean: it is but a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be 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.
  • 1 Samuel 3:2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

“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.

“lower” Hebrew H8217 · used in 18 verses

  • Leviticus 13:20 And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
  • Psalms 138:6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
  • Ezekiel 17:14 That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.

“white” Hebrew H3836 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 30:35 And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
  • Leviticus 13:13 Then the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: it is all turned white: he is clean.
  • Leviticus 13:38 If a man also or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, even white bright spots;