King James Version

What Does Leviticus 13:37 Mean?

Leviticus 13:37 in the King James Version says “But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall is healed, he is cl...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean.”

Leviticus 13:37 · KJV

Context

35

But if the scall spread much in the skin after his cleansing;

36

Then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean.

37

But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean.

38

If a man also or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, even white bright spots;

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.

Read Leviticus 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean.

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.

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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. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

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 does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְאִם1 of 14
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בְּעֵינָיו֩2 of 14

“be in his sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

עָמַ֨ד3 of 14

“at a stay”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

הַנֶּ֖תֶק4 of 14

“But if the scall”

H5424

scurf

וְשֵׂעָ֨ר5 of 14

“hair”

H8181

hair (as if tossed or bristling)

שָׁחֹ֧ר6 of 14

“and that there is black”

H7838

properly, dusky, but also (absol.) jetty

צָֽמַח7 of 14

“grown”

H6779

to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)

בּ֛וֹ8 of 14
H0
נִרְפָּ֥א9 of 14

“is healed”

H7495

properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure

הַנֶּ֖תֶק10 of 14

“But if the scall”

H5424

scurf

טָה֣וֹר11 of 14

“he is clean”

H2889

pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)

ה֑וּא12 of 14
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

וְטִֽהֲר֖וֹ13 of 14

“shall pronounce him clean”

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

הַכֹּהֵֽן׃14 of 14

“and the priest”

H3548

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

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 13:37 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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