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 13:43KJV
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Leviticus 13:43 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 13:43 mean?

Leviticus 13:43 describes a priest examining a person with a sore on a bald head or forehead, checking if the sore is white and reddish, which would look like leprosy on the skin. The verse is part of instructions for priests to identify specific skin diseases among the Israelites.

This verse is set in the middle of a detailed section where God gives Moses and Aaron rules for diagnosing skin conditions, especially those considered ritually unclean. The priest (not a doctor) is responsible for inspecting the sore to determine if it matches the signs of "leprosy" (a broad term for various skin diseases in the Bible), even if it appears on a bald area. The focus is on careful observation and following the guidelines for ritual purity in the community.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 13:43

  • "Priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): This word refers to the religious leader responsible for making judgments about ritual cleanliness, not a medical professional.
  • "Rising" (שְׂאֵת, se'et): This word means a swelling or raised area, highlighting that the priest is looking for a specific kind of sore, not just any skin blemish.
  • "Leprosy" (צָרַעַת, tsara‘at): In the Bible, this term covers a range of skin diseases, not just what we call leprosy today (Hansen’s disease). This helps clarify that the passage is about ritual impurity, not modern medical diagnosis.
  • "White" (לָבָן, lavan) and "reddish" (אָדֹם, adom): These color descriptions are important for the priest’s diagnosis, showing that the appearance of the sore is a key factor in determining ritual status.

Why Leviticus 13:43 matters

  • Leviticus 13:43 clarifies that the rules for skin diseases applied even to bald areas, showing the thoroughness of the instructions for ritual purity.
  • The verse emphasizes the priest’s role as an examiner, not a healer, highlighting the importance of community and ritual over personal health in this context.
  • Understanding the original Hebrew terms helps modern readers see that "leprosy" in Leviticus covers a range of visible skin issues, not just the disease known by that name today.

Where else these words appear

“head” Hebrew H7146 · used in 3 verses

  • 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 13:55 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 13:42 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 13:55 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:

“rising” Hebrew H7613 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • 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;
  • Job 31:23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.