Leviticus 14:54 — Word Study
WLCזֹ֖את הַתּוֹרָ֑ה לְכָל־ נֶ֥גַע הַצָּרַ֖עַת וְלַנָּֽתֶק׃
BSAThiszôʼth [the specific instruction, law] is the lawtôwrâh [instruction, guiding principle] for anykôl [all manner of] infectious skin diseasetsâraʻath [plague of leprosy, contagious affliction] for a scaly outbreaknetheq [scabby, scall, skin eruption]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| זֹ֖את | this | Particle |
| הַתּוֹרָ֑ה | [is] the legal [procedure] | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| לְכָל־ | to every | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| נֶ֥גַע | plague of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| הַצָּרַ֖עַת | serious skin disease | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וְלַנָּֽתֶק׃ | and to scall | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | This is the law for any infectious skin disease, for a scaly outbreak, |
| KJV | This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall, |
| ASV | This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and for a scall, |
| YLT | 'This [is] the law for every plague of the leprosy and for scall, |
| WEB | This is the law for any plague of leprosy, and for an itch, |
| BBE | This is the law for all signs of the leper's disease and for skin diseases; |
Where they part company is in the rendering of נֶ֥גַע — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by two prepositional phrases that detail the scope of the law.
4 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
subjectזֹאת
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Leviticus 14:54
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Laws of Puritygenerated
Leviticus 14:54 presents the law concerning infectious skin diseases, specifically detailing the procedures for identifying and addressing conditions like leprosy. This law is part of a larger set of instructions found in Leviticus, which emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and health within the community. The surrounding verses provide additional context for these regulations, highlighting the seriousness of such afflictions and the need for careful examination and treatment.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 14:2–32 | “This is the law for the one afflicted with a skin disease on the day of his cleansing, when he is brought to the priest. |
| 2 | Leviticus 6:9–14 | “Command Aaron and his sons that this is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the hearth of the altar all night, until morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar. |
| 3 | Leviticus 7:1–37 | “Now this is the law of the guilt offering, which is most holy: |
| 4 | Leviticus 11:46 | This is the law regarding animals, birds, all living creatures that move in the water, and all creatures that crawl along the ground. |
| 5 | Leviticus 15:32 | This is the law of him who has a discharge, of the man who has an emission of semen whereby he is unclean, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — זֹאת, zotgenerated
The word זֹאת (zot) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'here.' It is used to specify particular instructions or laws, indicating a focus on the guidelines being presented.
As a particle, it serves to draw attention to what follows, emphasizing its significance in the context of the law. This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in legal or instructional contexts.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses this is the law to introduce the legal instructions.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb is implied in the phrase זֹ֖את הַתּוֹרָ֑ה, this is the law, which serves as the main clause. The structure is straightforward, presenting the law followed by a description of what it applies to.
The sentence is built around the main noun phrase and is supported by prepositional phrases that clarify the scope of the law, indicating it applies to all forms of infectious skin diseases.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הַתּוֹרָ֑ה as νόμος (nomos), meaning 'law.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but emphasizes the legal aspect of the instruction.
The Greek word ἁφὴν corresponds to נֶ֥גַע, indicating a focus on the affliction as a touchable or tangible disease, which may carry implications for physical examination.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Leviticus 14:54 gives us the law for any infectious skin disease, including serious conditions like leprosy and scaly outbreaks. This law is part of the instructions for maintaining purity and health within the community.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The law outlines procedures for diagnosing and treating skin diseases, ensuring that those affected are examined and managed according to specific guidelines.
Leprosy is often seen as a symbol of sin and uncleanness, and the laws regarding it emphasize the need for purity and health in the community.
This law is part of a broader set of instructions in Leviticus that focuses on purity, health, and the moral conduct expected of the Israelite community.
These laws teach us about the importance of health and community well-being, as well as the need for careful examination and treatment of afflictions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can understanding these laws help us appreciate the importance of health in our own communities?
- What parallels can we draw between these ancient laws and modern health practices?
- In what ways can we ensure we are caring for those who may be marginalized due to health issues?
- How do these instructions reflect God's concern for both physical and spiritual purity?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Leviticus 14:54 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis [is] the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall. The leprosy in general in the bodies of men, and of that in particular which was on the head and beard, and went by the name of the scall, Leviticus 13:29.
Read John Gill on Leviticus 14 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd if the priest shall come in, and look upon it, and, behold, the plague hath not spread in the house, after the house was plaistered: then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed.
Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 14 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(54-56) This is the law for all manner of plague.—These verses sum up the laws of leprosy given in Leviticus 13, 14. The various names contained in Leviticus 14:56 are repeated from Leviticus 13:2.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Leviticus 14 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges54–57. A summary of the cases dealt with in chs. 13, 14. Special sections have also their closing verses, see Leviticus 13:59, Leviticus 14:32.
Read Cambridge on Leviticus 14 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
This is the law for any infectious skin disease, for a scaly outbreak,
This is the law for any plague of leprosy, and for an itch,
This is the law for any infectious skin disease, for a scaly outbreak,
“This is the law for all diseased infections, for scall,
Tyndale line
This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall,
This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and for a scall,
This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and for a scall;
This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall,
This is the law for euery plague of leprosie and blacke spot,
Strictly literal
This is the law for every sore of leprosy, and for the scall,
'This [is] the law for every plague of the leprosy and for scall,
This [is] the law for every plague of the leprosy and for scale,
This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall,
This is the law for all types of infectious skin disease and things that cause such disease, and for an itch,
From the Latin
This is the law of every kind of leprosy and stroke.
Simplified
These are the regulations for any infectious skin disease, for a scabby infection,
This is the law for all signs of the leper's disease and for skin diseases;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Samaritan Pentateuch, which agrees word for word. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some damage, with words restored by editors, but the core message remains consistent with the Masoretic Text.
זֹ֖את הַתּוֹרָ֑ה לְכָל־ נֶ֥גַע הַצָּרַ֖עַת וְלַנָּֽתֶק׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
זאת התורה לכל נגע הצרעת ולנתק
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
[זאת] [התורה] לכל נגע הצרעת [ולנתק]
2 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
[זאת] [התורה] [לכל] [נגע] [הצרעת] ולנתק
1 word on the leather — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Leviticus 14:54
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
זֹאת (zot) is a demonstrative pronoun and adverb meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone or be used in apposition to a noun, often serving as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns to add emphasis. In poetry, it may function as a relative pronoun, though this is rare.
זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here
standing alone
In appos. to subst.
More oft. as pred.
It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
With prefixes (in special senses)
base
H2063 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone
. In appos. to subst.
. More oft. as pred.
. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
. With prefixes (in special senses)
2063 zo'th zothe'
irregular feminine of 2089; this (often used adverb):--
hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she,
so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing),
thus.
see HEBREW for 02089
זֹאת (zot) — this.
1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such
1a) (alone)
1a1) this one
1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another
1b) (appos to subst)
1b1) this
1c) (as predicate)
1c1) this, such
1d) (enclitically)
1d1) then
1d2) who, whom
1d3) how now, what now
1d4) what now
1d5) wherefore now
1d6) behold here
1d7) just now
1d8) now, now already
1e) (poetry)
1e1) wherein, which, those who
1f) (with prefixes)
1f1) in this (place) here, then
1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter
1f3) thus and thus
1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus
1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side
1f6) on this account
1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Pron — ParticleHTm
תּוֹרָה (towrah) encompasses concepts of direction, instruction, and law, particularly relating to divine or human guidance. It refers to legal directives, customs, and teachings, including the Decalogue and the Pentateuch. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as prophetic and priestly instruction, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
תּוֹרָה n.f. direction, instruction, law
instruction
law (prop. direction)
custom, manner
base
H8451 תּוֹרָה direction, instruction, law . instruction
. law (prop. direction)
. custom, manner
8451 towrah to-raw'
or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute,
especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.
see HEBREW for 03384
תּוֹרָה (to.rah) — instruction.
1) law, direction, instruction
1a) instruction, direction (human or divine)
1a1) body of prophetic teaching
1a2) instruction in Messianic age
1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction
1a4) body of legal directives
1b) law
1b1) law of the burnt offering
1b2) of special law, codes of law
1c) custom, manner
1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
נֶ֫גַע (nega`) refers to a stroke or plague, often associated with disease or a mark, particularly in the context of leprosy. It is built from the root meaning 'to strike' and encompasses various forms of affliction, including wounds and spots. The term captures both literal and metaphorical implications of injury or illness.
נֶ֫גַע 78 n.m. stroke, plague, mark, plague-spot
base
H5061 נֶ֫גַע stroke, plague, mark, plague-spot
5061 nega` neh'-gah
from 5060; a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by
implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or
dress):--plague, sore, stricken, stripe, stroke, wound.
see HEBREW for 05060
נֶ֫גַע (ne.ga) — plague.
1) stroke, plague, disease, mark, plague spot
1a) stroke, wound
1b) stroke (metaphorical of disease)
1c) mark (of leprosy)
HNcmsc — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
צָרַ֫עַת (tsara`ath) means leprosy, referring to a malignant skin disease in people, as well as mildew or mold in clothing and buildings. It is derived from the root word for 'to be stricken' and appears in contexts related to purity laws in Leviticus.
צָרַ֫עַת 35 n.f. leprosy
base
H6883 צָרַ֫עַת leprosy
6883 tsara`ath tsaw-rah'-ath
from 6879; leprosy:--leprosy.
see HEBREW for 06879
צָרַ֫עַת (tsa.ra.at) — leprosy.
1) leprosy
1a) in people, malignant skin disease (Le 13:1-14:57)
1b) in clothing, a mildew or mould (Le 13:47-52)
1c) in buildings, a mildew or mould (Le 14:34-53)
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
נֶ֫תֶק (netheq) refers to a scab or skin eruption, particularly one that may raise concerns about leprosy. It is derived from a root meaning 'to tear off.' The term is used in contexts related to skin conditions, especially on the head or beard.
נֶ֫תֶק n.m. scab, an eruption of skin, on head or in beard, causing suspicion of leprosy (lit. a tearing off)
base
H5424 נֶ֫תֶק
5424 netheq neh'-thek
from 5423; scurf:--(dry) scall.
see HEBREW for 05423
נֶ֫תֶק (ne.teq) — scab.
scab, skin eruption, scall (of leprosy)
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Rd/Ncmsa
skol (netheq; thrausma): This only occurs in Leviticus 13 and 14 where it is used 14 times to describe bald or scaly patches of eruption on the skin. Such patches are generally the result of the action of parasitic organisms. The common form known now as scalled head is produced by a microscopic plant, Achorion schoenleinii. In Old and Middle English, scall was used for scabbiness of the head (Chaucer and Spenser). See also Skeat, Concise Etymol. Dict. of English Language.
→ A form of leprosy Le 13:30
→ See LEPROSY