Leviticus 13:39
Leviticus 13:39 in Multiple Translations
the priest shall examine them, and if the spots are dull white, it is a harmless rash that has broken out on the skin; the person is clean.
Then the priest shall look: and, behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh be darkish white; it is a freckled spot that groweth in the skin; he is clean.
then the priest shall look; and, behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh be of a dull white, it is a tetter, it hath broken out in the skin; he is clean.
Then the priest is to see them: and if the white marks on their skin are not very bright, it is a skin disease which has come out on the skin; he is clean.
the priest shall inspect them, and if the spots appear a dull white, it's just a rash that has developed on the skin; the person is clean.
Then the Priest shall consider: and if the spots in the skin of their flesh be somewhat darke and white withall, it is but a white spot broken out in the skin: therefore he is cleane.
and the priest hath seen, and lo, in the skin of their flesh white weak bright spots, it [is] a freckled spot broken out in the skin; he [is] clean.
then the priest shall examine them. Behold, if the bright spots on the skin of their body are a dull white, it is a harmless rash. It has broken out in the skin. He is clean.
Then the priest shall look: and behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh are darkish white; it is a freckled spot that groweth in the skin; he is clean.
The priest shall view them. If he find that a darkish whiteness shineth in the skin, let him know that it is not the leprosy, but a white blemish, and that the man is clean.
the priest should examine them. But if the spots are dull white, it is only a rash, and the priest will declare that the person is permitted to be with other people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 13:39
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 13:39 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/רָאָ֣ה
הַ/כֹּהֵ֗ן
וְ/הִנֵּ֧ה
בְ/עוֹר
בְּשָׂרָ֛/ם
בֶּהָרֹ֖ת
כֵּה֣וֹת
לְבָנֹ֑ת
בֹּ֥הַק
ה֛וּא
פָּרַ֥ח
בָּ/ע֖וֹר
טָה֥וֹר
הֽוּא
וְ/רָאָ֣ה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
הַ/כֹּהֵ֗ן
kôhên
H3548
priest
Art | N-ms
וְ/הִנֵּ֧ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part
בְ/עוֹר
ʻôwr
H5785
skin
Prep | N-ms
בְּשָׂרָ֛/ם
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
N-ms | Suff
בֶּהָרֹ֖ת
bôhereth
H934
bright spot
N-fp
כֵּה֣וֹת
kêheh
H3544
faint
Adj
לְבָנֹ֑ת
lâbân
H3836
white
Adj
בֹּ֥הַק
bôhaq
H933
spot
N-ms
ה֛וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
פָּרַ֥ח
pârach
H6524
to sprout
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בָּ/ע֖וֹר
ʻôwr
H5785
skin
Prep | N-ms
טָה֥וֹר
ṭâhôwr
H2889
pure
Adj
הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 13:39
וְ/רָאָ֣ה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
הַ/כֹּהֵ֗ן
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
וְ/הִנֵּ֧ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
בְ/עוֹר
ʻôwr
H5785
"skin"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means skin, like human skin or animal hide, and is used in the Bible to describe leather. It appears in Exodus 25:5 to describe the materials used to build the tabernacle. The word is also used in Genesis 3:21 to describe the clothing God made for Adam and Eve.
Definition: 1) skin, hide 1a) skin (of men) 1b) hide (of animals)
Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: hide, leather, skin. See also: Genesis 3:21; Leviticus 13:35; Jeremiah 13:23.
בְּשָׂרָ֛/ם
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
בֶּהָרֹ֖ת
bôhereth
H934
"bright spot"
N-fp
This Hebrew word refers to a bright spot on the skin, possibly a scar, blister, or boil, and is used in Leviticus to describe a sign of leprosy. It is translated as a whitish spot in the KJV Bible. This term appears in discussions of skin conditions.
Definition: 1) white patch of skin, brightness, bright spot (on skin) 2) (CLBL) bright spot, scar, blister, boil 2a) resulting from fire 2b) resulting from inflammation of the skin 2c) possible sign of leprosy
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: bright spot. See also: Leviticus 13:2; Leviticus 13:25; Leviticus 14:56.
כֵּה֣וֹת
kêheh
H3544
"faint"
Adj
Faint means to become weak or dim, like when the light of a candle burns out. It can also describe someone who is feeling tired or sluggish, like when the Israelites were faint from hunger in the wilderness.
Definition: dim, dull, colourless, be dark, faint
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: somewhat dark, darkish, wax dim, heaviness, smoking. See also: Leviticus 13:6; Leviticus 13:39; Isaiah 42:3.
לְבָנֹ֑ת
lâbân
H3836
"white"
Adj
Means white in Hebrew, used to describe something pure or clean, like freshly fallen snow.
Definition: white
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: white. See also: Genesis 30:35; Leviticus 13:21; Zechariah 6:6.
בֹּ֥הַק
bôhaq
H933
"spot"
N-ms
This word describes a harmless skin spot or freckle. It refers to a small mark on the skin, like a blemish or imperfection. In the KJV, it is translated as 'freckled spot'.
Definition: a harmless eruption of the skin, skin spot
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: freckled spot. See also: Leviticus 13:39.
ה֛וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
פָּרַ֥ח
pârach
H6524
"to sprout"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to fly or bloom, describing something that spreads out or flourishes. It can also mean to break forth like a bud or to grow abundantly. It's used to picture flourishing or spreading out.
Definition: 1) to bud, sprout, shoot, bloom 1a) (Qal) to bud, sprout, send out shoots, blossom 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to bud or sprout 1b2) to show buds or sprouts
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abroad, [idiom] abundantly, blossom, break forth (out), bud, flourish, make fly, grow, spread, spring (up). See also: Genesis 40:10; Psalms 92:14; Psalms 72:7.
בָּ/ע֖וֹר
ʻôwr
H5785
"skin"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means skin, like human skin or animal hide, and is used in the Bible to describe leather. It appears in Exodus 25:5 to describe the materials used to build the tabernacle. The word is also used in Genesis 3:21 to describe the clothing God made for Adam and Eve.
Definition: 1) skin, hide 1a) skin (of men) 1b) hide (of animals)
Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: hide, leather, skin. See also: Genesis 3:21; Leviticus 13:35; Jeremiah 13:23.
טָה֥וֹר
ṭâhôwr
H2889
"pure"
Adj
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Definition: 1) pure, clean 1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals) 1b) pure (physically) 1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: clean, fair, pure(-ness). See also: Genesis 7:2; Leviticus 13:40; Psalms 12:7.
הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
Study Notes — Leviticus 13:39
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 13:39 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 13:39
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 13:39
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 13:39
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 13:39
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 13:39
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 13:39
- Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 13:39
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 13:39
- Sermons on Leviticus 13:39
Context — Laws about Skin Diseases
37If, however, in his sight the scaly outbreak is unchanged and black hair has grown in it, then it has healed. He is clean, and the priest is to pronounce him clean.
38When a man or a woman has white spots on the skin,
39the priest shall examine them, and if the spots are dull white, it is a harmless rash that has broken out on the skin; the person is clean.
40Now if a man loses his hair and is bald, he is still clean. 41Or if his hairline recedes and he is bald on his forehead, he is still clean.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romans 7:22–25 | For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. |
| 2 | James 3:2 | We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 7:20 | Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. |
Leviticus 13:39 Summary
This verse is saying that if someone has white spots on their skin, the priest needs to check them to see if they are serious or not. If the spots are dull white, it's just a harmless rash and the person is clean. This teaches us that God wants us to be careful and examine our lives to make sure we are living in a way that is pleasing to Him, as seen in 2 Corinthians 13:5 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23. It's like when we check ourselves to make sure we are living a life that is pure and clean, just like God is pure and clean, as described in Psalm 51:10 and 1 John 3:3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the priest's examination in Leviticus 13:39?
The priest's examination is to determine whether the person has a harmless rash or a more serious skin condition, as outlined in Leviticus 13, and to pronounce them clean or unclean according to God's laws, as seen in Leviticus 13:3 and Numbers 5:2-3.
What does it mean for the spots to be 'dull white' in this verse?
The spots being 'dull white' indicates that the rash is not a sign of a more serious disease, such as leprosy, which is described in Leviticus 13:2 and Numbers 12:10, but rather a harmless condition that does not require quarantine or further treatment.
How does this verse relate to the concept of cleanliness in the Bible?
In the Bible, cleanliness is not just physical, but also spiritual, as seen in Psalm 51:7 and Isaiah 1:18, and this verse highlights the importance of distinguishing between harmless conditions and those that require spiritual and physical purification, as taught in Leviticus 11:44-45 and Hebrews 10:22.
What can we learn from the priest's role in this verse?
The priest's role in examining the person and pronouncing them clean or unclean teaches us about the importance of spiritual leadership and the need for guidance in discerning God's will, as seen in Exodus 18:13-27 and 1 Corinthians 12:28-31.
Reflection Questions
- How can I apply the principle of examination and discernment in my own life, seeking God's guidance in determining what is 'clean' and 'unclean' in my thoughts, words, and actions?
- What are some 'dull white spots' in my own life that may be harmless, but still require attention and care, and how can I seek God's wisdom in addressing them, as taught in Proverbs 3:5-6 and James 1:5-8?
- In what ways can I, like the priest, be a source of guidance and discernment for others, helping them to distinguish between what is harmless and what requires spiritual attention, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Timothy 2:2?
- How does this verse remind me of the importance of humility and seeking God's wisdom in all areas of life, recognizing that true cleanliness comes from God alone, as stated in 1 John 1:7 and Revelation 7:14?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 13:39
Then the priest shall look,.... Upon the man or woman that has these spots, and upon the spots themselves, and examine them of what kind they are: and, behold, [if] the bright spots in the skin of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 13:39
If a man also or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, even white bright spots; If a man also or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 13:39
Darkish white, or contracted, or confined to the place where they are, and white.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 13:39
Leviticus 13:39 Then the priest shall look: and, behold, [if] the bright spots in the skin of their flesh [be] darkish white; it [is] a freckled spot [that] groweth in the skin; he [is] clean.Ver. 39. A freckled spot.] Or white leprous eruption. This made not a man unclean: no more do mere infirmities make God abhor us.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 13:39
(39) Then the priest shall look.—If the priest, upon examination, finds that these elevated spots are of a dull or palish white colour, then he is to pronounce the patient clean, that is, free of leprosy, since it is simply a white eruption or tetter, which lasts for a few months, causes no inconvenience, and by degrees disappears of itself. Hence it is called bahack, or “white scurf,” and not leprosy. This nameless disorder, which still prevails in the East, is to this day called by the Biblical name bahack.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 13:39
White spots in the skin (38, 39) These, if they are dull, and not of the character described in Leviticus 13:3, are a ‘tetter’ (freckled spot A.V.), a skin disease which is not of a leprous character. The Heb. word bohaḳ ? (only in Leviticus 13:39) is still used by the Arabs to denote this kind of eruption.
Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 13:39
Freckled spot - If Leviticus 13:12 refers to the Lepra commonis, the Hebrew בהק bôhaq here may denote some kind of eczema, a skin disease of a somewhat similar external character.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 13:39
39. A freckled spot — Hebrew, bohak. In the R.V., “tetter.” This constitutes a new case, since these peculiar spots do not appear on the parts where the hair grows thick, but only on the neck and face.
Sermons on Leviticus 13:39
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 21:1-11 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of believers having two natures - an old nature and a new nature. He explains that before conversion, the old nature controls a p |
|
(Romans) Romans 7:1-25 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of freedom from a legalistic approach to serving God. He explains that even though believers may understand the truth of being cru |
|
Do You Know These Men by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher starts by sharing the "good news" with the villagers, which is that God is angry with them because of their sins. He reads from Romans 1 to emphasize t |
|
Free in Christ by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not just knowing the word of God, but also living it out. He uses the analogy of being on a diet and resisting temptation t |
|
A Spiritual Body by G.W. North | In this sermon, the preacher encourages the congregation to embrace their helplessness and allow themselves to be taken advantage of. He uses vivid imagery of bulls roaring, unicor |
|
Law and Grace by Lewis Sperry Chafer | Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the contrasting methods of divine dealing with men through the words 'law' and 'grace'. He explains the various meanings of 'law' as a rule of life, |
|
How Christ Transcends the Law by Catherine Booth | Catherine Booth preaches on the surpassing power of Jesus Christ over the Law, emphasizing the vital point where the Law fails in giving power to fulfill itself. She highlights the |