Leviticus 13:50 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 13:50 mean?

Leviticus 13:50 describes how a priest was to examine a suspected case of disease (often mold or mildew) in clothing or fabric, and then isolate the affected item for seven days. This was part of a careful process to determine if the problem was serious or spreading before taking further action.

In the context of Leviticus, God is giving instructions to Moses and Aaron for the priests about how to handle cases of "plague" (a word that here refers to an infection or contamination, not just illness in people). The priest’s job was to inspect the item and then set it aside, not immediately declare it clean or unclean. This careful, step-by-step approach shows the seriousness with which purity and health were treated in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 13:50

• "priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): This word refers to the religious leader responsible for making judgments about ritual purity, not just leading worship.
• "look" (רָאָה, ra’ah): This verb means to examine or inspect carefully, showing that the priest’s role was investigative, not just ceremonial.
• "plague" (נֶגַע, nega’): In this context, "plague" means a mark, spot, or infection—often understood as mold, mildew, or some kind of contamination, not necessarily a disease in the modern sense.
• "shut" (סָגַר, sagar): This word means to close up or quarantine, indicating that the item was to be isolated, not destroyed or cleansed right away.
• "seven" (שֶׁבַע, sheva’): The number seven often represents a complete period of time in the Bible, here marking a full week for observation.
• "days" (יֹום, yom): This simply means days, emphasizing the specific length of the isolation.

Why Leviticus 13:50 matters

• Leviticus 13:50 clarifies that the priest’s role included careful observation and not just immediate judgment, highlighting a process of discernment.
• The verse shows that concerns about purity extended beyond people to objects, reflecting the broader biblical concern for holiness in all areas of life.
• This instruction fits into a larger section about diagnosing and handling impurity, helping modern readers understand the seriousness and structure of ancient Israelite community life.