King James Version

What Does Leviticus 13:55 Mean?

Leviticus 13:55 in the King James Version says “And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his colour...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his colour, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without. whether: Heb. whether it be bald in the head thereof, or in the forehead thereof”

Leviticus 13:55 · KJV

Context

53

And if the priest shall look, and, behold, the plague be not spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin;

54

Then the priest shall command that they wash the thing wherein the plague is, and he shall shut it up seven days more:

55

And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his colour, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without. whether: Heb. whether it be bald in the head thereof, or in the forehead thereof

56

And if the priest look, and, behold, the plague be somewhat dark after the washing of it; then he shall rend it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof:

57

And if it appear still in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a spreading plague: thou shalt burn that wherein the plague is with fire.

Read Leviticus 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his colour, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without.

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.
The access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

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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 sacrificial texts from cultures surrounding Israel demonstrate the widespread practice of animal sacrifice, but Israel's system uniquely emphasized moral atonement over magical efficacy.

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. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְרָאָ֨ה1 of 24

“shall look”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

הַכֹּהֵ֜ן2 of 24

“And the priest”

H3548

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

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י׀3 of 24

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הֻכַּבֵּ֣ס4 of 24

“that it is washed”

H3526

to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative

אֶת5 of 24
H853

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

וְהַנֶּ֣גַע6 of 24

“and behold if the plague”

H5061

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

וְ֠הִנֵּה7 of 24
H2009

lo!

לֹֽא8 of 24
H3808

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

הָפַ֨ךְ9 of 24

“have not changed”

H2015

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

וְהַנֶּ֣גַע10 of 24

“and behold if the plague”

H5061

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

אֶת11 of 24
H853

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

עֵינוֹ֙12 of 24

“his colour”

H5869

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

וְהַנֶּ֣גַע13 of 24

“and behold if the plague”

H5061

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

לֹֽא14 of 24
H3808

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

פָשָׂ֔ה15 of 24

“be not spread”

H6581

to spread

טָמֵ֣א16 of 24

“it is unclean”

H2931

foul in a religious sense

ה֔וּא17 of 24
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

בָּאֵ֖שׁ18 of 24

“it in the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

תִּשְׂרְפֶ֑נּוּ19 of 24

“thou shalt burn”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

פְּחֶ֣תֶת20 of 24

“it is fret”

H6356

a hole (by mildew in a garment)

הִ֔וא21 of 24
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

בְּקָֽרַחְתּ֖וֹ22 of 24

“inward whether it be bare within”

H7146

a bald spot (on the back of the head); figuratively, a threadbare spot (on the back side of the cloth)

א֥וֹ23 of 24
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

בְגַבַּחְתּֽוֹ׃24 of 24

“or without”

H1372

baldness in the forehead; by analogy, a bare spot on the right side of cloth

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 13:55 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 13:55 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 24:132 Peter 2:20-222 Peter 1:9Hebrews 6:4-8

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