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 13:42KJV
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Leviticus 13:42 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 13:42 mean?

Leviticus 13:42 explains that if a person develops a white and reddish sore on a bald spot of the head or forehead, this is considered a case of leprosy that has appeared in the bald area. The verse gives a specific sign for diagnosing leprosy, even when it shows up on naturally bald skin.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses and Aaron instructions for the priests on how to identify and handle skin diseases among the Israelites. The verse is part of a detailed set of guidelines for recognizing leprosy (a term that covered various skin conditions), especially in cases where hair loss might make diagnosis harder. The focus is on careful observation to maintain the community’s health and ritual purity.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 13:42

  • "head" (קָרַחַת, qaraḥat) and "forehead" (גַּבַּחַת, gabbaḥat) refer to bald spots on the scalp and forehead, showing that the law covers different types of natural baldness, not just general skin.
  • "white" (לָבָן, lavan) and "reddish" (אָדֹם, adom) describe the color of the sore, which is important for distinguishing leprosy from other skin issues.
  • "sore" (נֶגַע, negaʿ) means a mark or lesion, the visible sign that triggers concern.
  • "leprosy" (צָרַעַת, tsaraʿat) is a broad term for skin diseases, not just what we call leprosy today.
  • "sprung" (פָּרַח, paraḥ) means to break out or blossom, suggesting the disease is actively appearing in the bald area.

Why Leviticus 13:42 matters

  • Leviticus 13:42 clarifies that leprosy could be diagnosed even on bald areas, which might otherwise be overlooked because there is no hair to lose.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of specific symptoms (white and reddish sores) rather than just general appearance, helping priests make careful judgments.
  • This instruction fits into a larger system of public health and ritual cleanliness, showing how the community was taught to respond to visible signs of disease.

Where else these words appear

“head” Hebrew H7146 · used in 3 verses

  • Leviticus 13:43 Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;
  • Leviticus 13:55 And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his colour, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without.

“forehead” Hebrew H1372 · used in 3 verses

  • Leviticus 13:43 Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;
  • Leviticus 13:55 And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his colour, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without.

“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 13:24 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 13:49 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:

“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: