Leviticus 13:39

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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.

Free Bible Version

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

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.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

then the priest shall examine them; and 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.

Translation for Translators

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

then the priest must examine the person to see if the spots are a dull white, which is only a rash that has broken out in the skin. He is clean.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

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.

Context

Laws about Skin Diseases

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.

Summary

Leviticus 13:39 discusses the diagnosis of leprosy in garments, specifically wool or linen clothing. If a reddish or greenish spot appears on the fabric, the priest is to examine it and isolate the garment for seven days. If the spot spreads during this time, it is considered a defiling mildew, and the garment is to be burned. This verse highlights the meticulous care and attention to detail required in identifying and containing impurities, reflecting the importance of purity and holiness in the Israelites' daily lives as instructed by God.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he that hath his hair fallen off from the part of his head towards his face,.... That is, from the crown of his head towards his forehead and temples, the fore part of his head; and so the Misnic doctors distinguish baldness, which is from the crown of the head descending behind to the channel of the neck; and that here mentioned, which is from the crown of the head descending to his face and forehead, over against the hair above (x): he is forehead bald; to distinguish him from him that is bald behind: yet is he clean; as the other: these cases are observed, that it might not be concluded that every man that shed his hair or was bald either before or behind was a leper, because the hair of a leper used to fall off from him; if he had not the other signs of leprosy, and which were the sure and true signs of it before mentioned. (x) Misn. Negaim, c. 10. sect. 10.