King James Version

What Does Leviticus 13:25 Mean?

Leviticus 13:25 in the King James Version says “Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in sight deep...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in sight deeper than the skin; it is a leprosy broken out of the burning: wherefore the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy.”

Leviticus 13:25 · KJV

Context

23

But if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not, it is a burning boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.

24

Or if there be any flesh, in the skin whereof there is a hot burning, and the quick flesh that burneth have a white bright spot, somewhat reddish, or white; a hot: Heb. a burning of fire

25

Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in sight deeper than the skin; it is a leprosy broken out of the burning: wherefore the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy.

26

But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hair in the bright spot, and it be no lower than the other skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:

27

And the priest shall look upon him the seventh day: and if it be spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy.

Read Leviticus 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in sight deeper than the skin; it is a leprosy broken out of the burning: wherefore the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy.

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.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

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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. Ancient texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

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. How can you use this verse to worship God more fully, obey Him more faithfully, or love others more sacrificially?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְרָאָ֣ה1 of 22

“shall look”

H7200

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

אֹתָ֣הּ2 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הַכֹּהֵ֔ן3 of 22

“Then the priest”

H3548

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

וְהִנֵּ֣ה4 of 22
H2009

lo!

נֶהְפַּךְ֩5 of 22

“be turned”

H2015

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

שֵׂעָ֨ר6 of 22

“upon it and behold if the hair”

H8181

hair (as if tossed or bristling)

לָבָ֜ן7 of 22

“white”

H3836

white

בַּבַּהֶ֗רֶת8 of 22

“in the bright spot”

H934

a whitish spot on the skin

וּמַרְאֶ֙הָ֙9 of 22

“and 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),

עָמֹ֣ק10 of 22

“deeper”

H6013

deep (literally or figuratively)

מִן11 of 22
H4480

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

הָע֔וֹר12 of 22

“than the skin”

H5785

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

צָרַ֖עַת13 of 22

“it is a leprosy”

H6883

leprosy

הִ֔וא14 of 22
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

בַּמִּכְוָ֖ה15 of 22

“out of the burning”

H4348

a burn

פָּרָ֑חָה16 of 22

“broken”

H6524

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

וְטִמֵּ֤א17 of 22

“shall pronounce him unclean”

H2930

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

אֹתוֹ֙18 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכֹּהֵ֔ן19 of 22

“Then the priest”

H3548

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

נֶ֥גַע20 of 22

“it is the plague”

H5061

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

צָרַ֖עַת21 of 22

“it is a leprosy”

H6883

leprosy

הִֽוא׃22 of 22
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

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 13:25 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 13:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 13:18-20Leviticus 13:4

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