Leviticus 13:21

Verse

But when the priest examines it, if there is no white hair in it, and it is not beneath the skin and has faded, the priest shall isolate him for seven days.

American Standard Version (1901)

But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hairs therein, and it be not lower than the skin, but be dim; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:

Bible in Basic English

But if, after looking at it, he sees that there are no white hairs on it, and it is not deeper than the skin, and it is not very bright, then let the priest keep him shut up for seven days:

Douay-Rheims 1899

But if the hair be of the former colour, and the scar somewhat obscure, and be not lower than the flesh that is near it, he shall shut him up seven days.

Free Bible Version

However, if when the priest inspects it, it doesn't have white hair in it and doesn't seem to be more than superficial, and has faded, the priest is to place the person in isolation for seven days.

Geneva Bible 1599

But if the Priest looke on it, and there be no white heares therein, and if it bee not lower then the skin, but be darker, then the Priest shall shut him vp seuen dayes.

King James (Authorized) Version

But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hairs therein, and if it be not lower than the skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:

One Unity Resource Bible

But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs in it, and it is not deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall isolate him seven days.

Translation for Translators

But when the priest examines it, if there is no white hair in that spot and it is only on the surface of the skin and has become less bright/shiny, then the priest will order him to stay away from other people for seven days.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But if the priest examines it and sees that there is no white hair in it, and that it is not under the skin but has faded, then the priest must isolate him for seven days.

Noah Webster Bible

But if the priest shall look on it, and behold, there are no white hairs in it, and if it is not lower than the skin, but somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:

World English Bible

But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs in it, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall isolate him seven days.

Young's Literal Translation

'And if the priest see it, and lo, there is no white hair in it, and it is not lower than the skin, and is become weak, then hath the priest shut him up seven days;

Context

Laws about Skin Diseases

²⁰The priest shall examine it, and if it appears to be beneath the skin and the hair in it has turned white, the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a diseased infection that has broken out in the boil.²¹But when the priest examines it, if there is no white hair in it, and it is not beneath the skin and has faded, the priest shall isolate him for seven days.²²If it spreads any further on the skin, the priest must pronounce him unclean; it is an infection.

Summary

In Leviticus 13:21, the focus is on the diagnosis of leprosy in a person's skin. The presence of white spots that have turned the hair white indicates a deeper infection of leprosy. This verse highlights the meticulous instructions given by God to the Israelites through Moses regarding the identification and management of skin diseases, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in the community. It serves as a reminder of the need for physical, spiritual, and communal purity in the sight of God, reflecting the holistic approach to health and well-being in the Old Testament.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

But if the priest look on it,.... Upon a person in a like case as first described, having had a boil, and that healed, and afterwards a white swelling, or a bright spot in the place of it: and, behold, there be no white hairs therein; not two hairs turned white, as Gersom interprets it: and if it be not lower than the skin; the bright spot not lower than the skin; not having got into the flesh, only skin deep: the Targum of Jonathan is, not lower in whiteness than the skin; for the bright spot is described as white, and so the rising or swelling, Lev 13:19, but be somewhat dark; or rather "contracted"; to which spreading is opposed in the next verse; See Gill on Lev 13:6, then the priest shall shut him up seven days; to wait and see whether it will spread or not: a boil and burning, the Jews say, make a man unclean in one week, and by two signs, the white hair, and the spreading; by the white hair, both at the beginning and at the end of the week after dismission, and by spreading at the end of the week after it (q). (q) Misn. Negaim, c. 3. sect. 4.