King James Version

What Does Leviticus 13:4 Mean?

Leviticus 13:4 in the King James Version says “If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be ...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days:”

Leviticus 13:4 · KJV

Context

2

When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests: rising: or, swelling

3

And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.

4

If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days:

5

And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more:

6

And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague be somewhat dark, and the plague spread not in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean: it is but a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.

Read Leviticus 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days:

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.
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. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?
  3. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְאִם1 of 21
H518

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

בַּהֶרֶת֩2 of 21

“If the bright spot”

H934

a whitish spot on the skin

לָבָ֑ן3 of 21

“be white”

H3836

white

הִ֜וא4 of 21
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

הָע֔וֹר5 of 21

“in the skin”

H5785

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

בְּשָׂר֗וֹ6 of 21

“of his flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

וְעָמֹק֙7 of 21

“be not deeper”

H6013

deep (literally or figuratively)

אֵין8 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַרְאֶ֣הָ9 of 21

“and 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),

מִן10 of 21
H4480

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

הָע֔וֹר11 of 21

“in the skin”

H5785

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

וּשְׂעָרָ֖ה12 of 21

“and the hair”

H8181

hair (as if tossed or bristling)

לֹֽא13 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָפַ֣ךְ14 of 21

“thereof be not turned”

H2015

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

לָבָ֑ן15 of 21

“be white”

H3836

white

וְהִסְגִּ֧יר16 of 21

“shall shut”

H5462

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

הַכֹּהֵ֛ן17 of 21

“then the priest”

H3548

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

אֶת18 of 21
H853

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

הַנֶּ֖גַע19 of 21

“up him that hath the plague”

H5061

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

שִׁבְעַ֥ת20 of 21

“seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

יָמִֽים׃21 of 21

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

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 13:4 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 13:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 12:15Ezekiel 44:101 Timothy 5:241 Corinthians 4:5Deuteronomy 13:14

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