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.

LEVITICUS 13:55KJV
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Leviticus 13:55 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 13:55 mean?

Leviticus 13:55 explains that if, after washing, a suspicious spot on a garment or leather item still looks the same and has not spread, the priest must declare it unclean and order it to be burned, because the contamination is deep within the material. This instruction is part of the laws given to Israel about how to handle cases of mold or mildew in clothing and leather goods.

In this verse, God is giving Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the priests (the religious leaders) on how to inspect and deal with "plagues" (mildew or mold) on garments. The priest examines the item after it has been washed; if the spot (called a "plague" in the text) has not changed color and has not spread, it is still considered unclean. The command to burn it shows how seriously such contamination was treated, to prevent it from spreading to other items or people.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 13:55

  • "Plague" (נֶגַע, nega‘): This word means a mark, spot, or affliction, and here it refers to a visible sign of mold or mildew on fabric or leather. The use of the same word for both skin disease and fabric mildew shows the seriousness with which any spreading impurity was viewed.
  • "Changed" (הָפַךְ, hafakh): This word means to turn or change. The priest is looking to see if the spot has changed in appearance after washing, which would suggest the problem might be resolving.
  • "Fret" (פִּחֶ֥תֶת, piḥeteth): This word is used for a deep or corroding spot, suggesting the contamination is not just on the surface but has penetrated the material. This is why burning is required, rather than just washing again.

Why Leviticus 13:55 matters

  • Leviticus 13:55 clarifies that not all stains or spots could be cleaned by washing; some required complete destruction to protect the community from further contamination.
  • The verse highlights the priest's role as both a spiritual and practical guardian, responsible for the health and cleanliness of the people and their possessions.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the broader passage, which deals with purity laws and the importance of separating what is clean from what is unclean in ancient Israelite life.

Where else these words appear

“within” 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 13:43 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;

“without” 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 13:43 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;

“spread” Hebrew H6581 · used in 18 verses

  • Leviticus 13:5 And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more:
  • Leviticus 13:23 But if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not, it is a burning boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
  • Leviticus 13:36 Then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean.

“washed” Hebrew H3526 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
  • Leviticus 15:5 And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • Numbers 8:21 And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.