If a man also or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, even white bright spots;

LEVITICUS 13:38KJV
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Leviticus 13:38 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 13:38 mean?

Leviticus 13:38 describes a situation where a man or woman has bright, white spots on the skin of their body. This verse introduces a specific kind of skin change that the priests were to examine as part of the laws about skin diseases in ancient Israel.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses and Aaron instructions for diagnosing various skin conditions among the Israelites. The focus here is on identifying and distinguishing harmless skin changes from those that might be considered unclean or contagious, as part of maintaining ritual purity in the community.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 13:38

  • "man" (אִישׁ, ish) and "woman" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): The verse makes it clear that these instructions apply equally to both men and women, showing that the law is meant for the whole community.
  • "skin" (עוֹר, or) and "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar): These words emphasize that the spots are on the surface of the body, not just a minor blemish but something visible on the skin itself.
  • "spots" (נֶגַע, nega): This word often refers to a mark or plague, but here it is used for a visible spot or patch, which could be a sign of a skin condition.
  • "white" (לָבָן, lavan): The color is important because different colors of spots could mean different things in the priestly examination process.

Why Leviticus 13:38 matters

  • Leviticus 13:38 helps clarify that not every skin change was considered dangerous or made a person unclean; some spots were simply to be observed and identified.
  • The verse shows the careful attention given to health and ritual purity in Israelite society, with specific guidelines for priests to follow.
  • This verse connects to the larger section on skin diseases, showing the detailed approach to distinguishing between different conditions, which protected individuals from unnecessary exclusion.

Where else these words appear

“spots” 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 13:26 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:

“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 13:26 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:

“skin” Hebrew H5785 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
  • Leviticus 13:12 And if a leprosy break out abroad in the skin, and the leprosy cover all the skin of him that hath the plague from his head even to his foot, wheresoever the priest looketh;
  • Leviticus 15:17 And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even.