King James Version

What Does Leviticus 13:46 Mean?

Leviticus 13:46 in the King James Version says “All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the ca... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Leviticus 13:46 · KJV


Context

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;

48

Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin; thing: Heb. work of


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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.
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. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?
  3. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כָּל1 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְמֵ֞י2 of 13

All the 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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר3 of 13
H834

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

הַנֶּ֥גַע4 of 13

wherein the plague

H5061

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

בּ֛וֹ5 of 13
H0
יִטְמָ֖א6 of 13

shall be in him he shall be defiled

H2930

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

טָמֵ֣א7 of 13

he is unclean

H2931

foul in a religious sense

ה֑וּא8 of 13
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

בָּדָ֣ד9 of 13

alone

H910

separate; adverb, separately

יֵשֵׁ֔ב10 of 13

he shall dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

מִח֥וּץ11 of 13

without

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה12 of 13

the camp

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

מֽוֹשָׁבֽוֹ׃13 of 13

shall his habitation

H4186

a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population


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 13:46 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 13:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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