King James Version

What Does Leviticus 13:45 Mean?

Leviticus 13:45 in the King James Version says “And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his ... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean.

Leviticus 13:45 · KJV


Context

43

Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;

44

He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head.

45

And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean.

46

All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.

47

The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean.

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.

Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
The New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.

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 can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?
  3. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְהַצָּר֜וּעַ1 of 16

And the leper

H6879

to scourge, i.e., (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy

אֲשֶׁר2 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בּ֣וֹ3 of 16
H0
הַנֶּ֗גַע4 of 16

in whom the plague

H5061

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

בְּגָדָ֞יו5 of 16

is his clothes

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

יִֽהְי֤וּ6 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

פְרֻמִים֙7 of 16

shall be rent

H6533

to tear

וְרֹאשׁוֹ֙8 of 16

and his head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה9 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

פָר֔וּעַ10 of 16

bare

H6544

to loosen; by implication, to expose, dismiss; figuratively, absolve, begin

וְעַל11 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שָׂפָ֖ם12 of 16

upon his upper lip

H8222

the beard (as a lippiece)

יַעְטֶ֑ה13 of 16

and he shall put a covering

H5844

to wrap, i.e., cover, veil, clothe, or roll

טָמֵ֖א14 of 16

Unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense

טָמֵ֖א15 of 16

Unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense

יִקְרָֽא׃16 of 16

and shall cry

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)


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 13:45 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 13:45 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study