Leviticus 13:47 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 13:47 mean?

Leviticus 13:47 states that if a garment—whether made of wool or linen—shows signs of a “plague of leprosy,” it is to be considered affected and subject to special examination. This verse introduces the idea that not only people, but also clothing, could be contaminated in a way that required attention under Israel’s laws.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving instructions to Moses and Aaron for the Israelites about how to handle cases of ritual impurity. The “plague of leprosy” here refers not just to human skin disease, but to a kind of spreading mold or mildew in clothing. The verse sets up the following instructions about how priests should inspect and deal with such garments.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 13:47

• “Garment” (בֶּגֶד, beged): This word refers to any kind of clothing or fabric item, not just outerwear, making the law broadly applicable to anything people wore or used as textile.
• “Plague” (נֶגַע, nega‘): This term means an affliction or mark, and in this context, it signals something visibly wrong or diseased about the garment.
• “Leprosy” (צָרַעַת, tsara‘at): In Leviticus, this word often describes a range of skin diseases or surface contaminations, not just what modern medicine calls leprosy. Here, it points to a spreading mold or mildew.
• “Woollen” (צֶמֶר, tsemer) and “linen” (פִּשְׁתִּים, pishtim): These specify the main types of fabric used in ancient Israel, showing that the law covered all common garments.

Why Leviticus 13:47 matters

• Leviticus 13:47 shows that ritual impurity in ancient Israel was not limited to people but could also affect objects, especially clothing, which could spread contamination.
• The verse sets the stage for detailed instructions about how to identify and handle contaminated garments, emphasizing the seriousness with which the community treated purity and health.
• Understanding the original words clarifies that “leprosy” here is broader than a single disease; it includes any visible, spreading corruption in fabric, which helps avoid confusion with modern definitions of leprosy.