And if the priest look on the plague of the scall, and, behold, it be not in sight deeper than the skin, and that there is no black hair in it; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague of the scall seven days:

LEVITICUS 13:31KJV
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Leviticus 13:31 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 13:31 mean?

Leviticus 13:31 describes how a priest should handle a person with a suspected skin disease called "scall." If the affected area does not appear deeper than the skin and has no black hair, the priest must isolate the person for seven days for further observation. This process is meant to prevent the spread of disease while giving time to see if the condition changes.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to Moses and Aaron about how priests should examine skin diseases among the Israelites. The priest acts as a kind of health inspector, looking closely at the skin and hair to decide if someone is unclean. The mention of "scall" refers to a specific kind of skin condition, and the careful steps show how seriously these matters were taken in the community.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 13:31

  • "priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): This word refers to the religious leader responsible for examining and making decisions about ritual cleanliness, highlighting the priest's role as both spiritual and practical authority.
  • "plague" (נֶגַע, nega‘): This word means a mark or affliction, often used for skin diseases in Leviticus, emphasizing the seriousness of the condition being checked.
  • "scall" (נָתַק, nathaq): This term points to a specific skin disease, likely a patch of hair loss or infection, showing the detailed attention to different types of skin problems.
  • "shut" (סָגַר, sagar): This verb means to confine or isolate, underlining the practice of separating someone to prevent possible spread and to allow time for a clear diagnosis.

Why Leviticus 13:31 matters

  • Leviticus 13:31 clears up that not every skin problem was immediately considered unclean; careful observation and time were required before making a final judgment.
  • The verse highlights the priest's role in community health, not just in worship, showing the overlap between spiritual and physical well-being in ancient Israel.
  • By specifying signs like "no black hair" and "not deeper than the skin," the passage shows the detailed and cautious approach to diagnosing disease, reflecting both concern for individuals and for the wider community.

Where else these words appear

“black” Hebrew H7838 · used in 6 verses

  • Leviticus 13:37 But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
  • Song of Solomon 1:5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
  • Zechariah 6:2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;

“scall” Hebrew H5424 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 13:30 Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a dry scall, even a leprosy upon the head or beard.
  • Leviticus 13:33 He shall be shaven, but the scall shall he not shave; and the priest shall shut up him that hath the scall seven days more:
  • Leviticus 13:36 Then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean.

“deeper” Hebrew H6013 · used in 16 verses

  • Leviticus 13:3 And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.
  • Leviticus 13:34 And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the scall: and, behold, if the scall be not spread in the skin, nor be in sight deeper than the skin; then the priest shall pronounce him clean: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
  • Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

“hair” Hebrew H8181 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 25:25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
  • Leviticus 13:30 Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a dry scall, even a leprosy upon the head or beard.
  • 2 Samuel 14:26 And when he polled his head,(for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.