King James Version

What Does Leviticus 13:20 Mean?

Leviticus 13:20 in the King James Version says “And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the ...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.”

Leviticus 13:20 · KJV

Context

18

The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed,

19

And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be shewed to the priest;

20

And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.

21

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:

22

And if it spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague.

Read Leviticus 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.

This verse falls within the section on Diagnosing Skin Diseases. Detailed procedures for priests to diagnose skin diseases (צָרַעַת, tzaraat), often translated 'leprosy' but covering various conditions.

The Aaronic priesthood mediated between God and Israel, offering sacrifices and maintaining the tabernacle. This prefigured Christ's superior priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
What Leviticus portrayed through types and shadows, Christ fulfilled in reality through His incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Detailed procedures for priests to diagnose skin diseases (צָרַעַת, tzaraat), often translated 'leprosy' but covering various conditions. Chapters 11-15 address ritual purity, teaching Israel to distinguish clean from unclean. These laws served multiple purposes: promoting health, teaching spiritual lessons about sin's defilement, and separating Israel from pagan practices. Archaeological evidence shows Canaanite worship involved practices Israel's laws explicitly prohibited. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  2. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  3. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְרָאָ֣ה1 of 17

“seeth”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

הַכֹּהֵ֛ן2 of 17

“And if when the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְהִנֵּ֤ה3 of 17
H2009

lo!

מַרְאֶ֙הָ֙4 of 17

“it behold it be in sight”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

שָׁפָ֣ל5 of 17

“lower”

H8217

depressed, literally or figuratively

מִן6 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָע֔וֹר7 of 17

“than the skin”

H5785

skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather

וּשְׂעָרָ֖הּ8 of 17

“and the hair”

H8181

hair (as if tossed or bristling)

הָפַ֣ךְ9 of 17

“thereof be turned”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

לָבָ֑ן10 of 17

“white”

H3836

white

וְטִמְּא֧וֹ11 of 17

“shall pronounce him unclean”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

הַכֹּהֵ֛ן12 of 17

“And if when the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

נֶֽגַע13 of 17

“it is a plague”

H5061

a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)

צָרַ֥עַת14 of 17

“of leprosy”

H6883

leprosy

הִ֖וא15 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

בַּשְּׁחִ֥ין16 of 17

“out of the boil”

H7822

inflammation, i.e., an ulcer

פָּרָֽחָה׃17 of 17

“broken”

H6524

to break forth as a bud, i.e., bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 13:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 13:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 5:14Matthew 12:45Leviticus 13:32 Peter 2:20

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