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:
LEVITICUS 13:49KJVWhat does Leviticus 13:49 mean?
Leviticus 13:49 explains that if a greenish or reddish spot appears in a garment, leather, or woven material, it is considered a plague of leprosy and must be shown to a priest for inspection. This verse sets out a process for identifying and handling suspicious discolorations in clothing or leather, treating them as potentially serious issues.
In this section of Leviticus, God is giving instructions to Moses and Aaron for the Israelites about how to recognize and deal with various skin diseases and contaminations, not only on people but also on objects. The verse highlights the seriousness with which these signs were treated, as even garments could be considered ritually unclean and needed to be examined by a priest, who acted as the community's health and purity authority.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 13:49
- "plague" (נֶגַע, nega‘): This word means an affliction or mark and is used here for any suspicious spot that could indicate ritual impurity.
- "greenish" (יְרַקְרַק, yerakraq) and "reddish" (אָדְמָּם, adamdam): These words describe the specific colors that would raise concern. The unusual green or red hues in fabric or leather were seen as signs of contamination.
- "leprosy" (צָרַעַת, tsara‘at): In this context, this word does not refer only to modern leprosy (Hansen’s disease), but to a range of skin and surface afflictions that caused impurity, including mold or mildew on objects.
- "priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): The priest was responsible for examining and making decisions about ritual purity, acting as both a spiritual and practical health official.
Why Leviticus 13:49 matters
- This verse clarifies that ritual impurity in ancient Israel was not limited to people but could also affect clothing and objects, showing the broad concern for holiness and cleanliness.
- It emphasizes the role of the priest as the community’s authority on health and ritual matters, not just religious ceremonies.
- The verse helps explain the detailed and practical nature of Leviticus, which covers everyday life and not just worship practices, reflecting the close connection between physical and spiritual health in the Israelite community.