King James Version

What Does Leviticus 13:40 Mean?

“And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean. hair: Heb. head is pilled”

Context

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

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.

And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean. hair: Heb. head is pilled

And he that hath his hair fallen off from the part of his head toward his face, he is forehead bald: yet is he clean.

And if there be in the bald head, or bald forehead, a white reddish sore; it is a leprosy sprung up in his bald head, or his bald forehead.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(40) **And the man whose hair is fallen off**—Better, *And if a man loseth the hair of his head. *The sixth and last case, discussed in Leviticus 13:40-44, is leprosy either at the back or in the front of the head. Though baldness in itself was regarded as a disgrace, and often looked upon as a Divine punishment (2Kings 2:23; Isaiah 3:17; Jeremiah 48:37), yet the simple fact of the mere falling of the hair is not to be taken as a sign of leprosy. **He is bald; yet is he clean.**—Better, *if he is backhead bald, he is clean. *The baldness mentioned in the first part of the verse in general terms is now more minutely specified as consisting of two kinds of baldness. Leviticus 13:41-42 distinctly show that the word (*kērēach*), here translated simply “bald” in the Authorised Version, denotes a person who has lost hair from the crown of his head downwards towards the channel of his neck, as the administrators of the law during the second Temple rightly define it, in contradistinction to the fore baldness which immediately follows.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 13:40 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.