The big picture
Leviticus 13 opens in verse 1 with “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 30 with “Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the…”, and closes in verse 59 with “This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the…” Repeated or prominent terms include priest, plague, skin, leprosy, unclean. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Leviticus · King James Version · 59Leviticus 13:1-8
1–8: The LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,
Leviticus 13:1–8 opens with “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,” and reaches “And if the priest see that, behold, the scab spreadeth in the skin, then the priest shall…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 13 develops its own movement around priest, plague, skin, leprosy, unclean, with particular weight carried by priest, plague, skin.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,” Naming Aaron and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“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 command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“But if the scab spread much abroad in the skin, after that he hath been seen of the priest for his cleansing, he shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And if the priest see that, behold, the scab spreadeth in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Leviticus 13:1-8
King James Version1And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,
2When 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:
3And 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.
4If 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:
5And 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:
6And 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.
7But if the scab spread much abroad in the skin, after that he hath been seen of the priest for his cleansing, he shall be seen of the priest again:
8And if the priest see that, behold, the scab spreadeth in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a leprosy.
Leviticus 13:9-16
9–16: When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto…
Leviticus 13:9–16 opens with “When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest;” and reaches “Or if the raw flesh turn again, and be changed unto white, he shall come unto the priest;” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 13 develops its own movement around priest, plague, skin, leprosy, unclean, with particular weight carried by flesh, priest, leprosy.
Context that brings the passage to life
“When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest;” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“It is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Then the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Leviticus 13:9-16
King James Version9When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest;
10And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the rising be white in the skin, and it have turned the hair white, and there be quick raw flesh in the rising;
11It is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up: for he is unclean.
12And if a leprosy break out abroad in the skin, and the leprosy cover all the skin of him that hath the plague from his head even to his foot, wheresoever the priest looketh;
13Then the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: it is all turned white: he is clean.
14But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.
15And the priest shall see the raw flesh, and pronounce him to be unclean: for the raw flesh is unclean: it is a leprosy.
16Or if the raw flesh turn again, and be changed unto white, he shall come unto the priest;
Leviticus 13:17-24
17–24: The priest shall see him: and, behold, if the plague be turned into…
Leviticus 13:17–24 opens with “And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the plague be turned into white; then the priest…” and reaches “Or if there be any flesh, in the skin whereof there is a hot burning, and the quick flesh that…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 13 develops its own movement around priest, plague, skin, leprosy, unclean, with particular weight carried by priest, white, skin.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the plague be turned into white; then the priest shall pronounce him…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be shewed…” The line’s distinctive content terms include white, boil, bright. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.
“But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hairs therein, and if it be not lower than the skin, but…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Leviticus 13:17-24
King James Version17And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the plague be turned into white; then the priest shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: he is clean.
18The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed,
19And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be shewed to the priest;
20And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
21But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hairs therein, and if it be not lower than the skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:
22And if it spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague.
23But if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not, it is a burning boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
24Or if there be any flesh, in the skin whereof there is a hot burning, and the quick flesh that burneth have a white bright spot, somewhat reddish, or white;
Leviticus 13:25-32
25–32: The priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright…
Leviticus 13:25–32 opens with “Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white…” and reaches “And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the plague: and, behold, if the scall spread…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 13 develops its own movement around priest, plague, skin, leprosy, unclean, with particular weight carried by priest, plague, skin.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in sight…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And the priest shall look upon him the seventh day: and if it be spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;” The line’s distinctive content terms include beard, head, plague. Its relationship to verses 28 and 30 shows what work it does in this passage.
“And if the priest look on the plague of the scall, and, behold, it be not in sight deeper than the skin, and that…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the plague: and, behold, if the scall spread not, and there be in it…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Leviticus 13:25-32
King James Version25Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in sight deeper than the skin; it is a leprosy broken out of the burning: wherefore the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy.
26But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hair in the bright spot, and it be no lower than the other skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:
27And the priest shall look upon him the seventh day: and if it be spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy.
28And if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not in the skin, but it be somewhat dark; it is a rising of the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him clean: for it is an inflammation of the burning.
29If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;
30Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a dry scall, even a leprosy upon the head or beard.
31And if the priest look on the plague of the scall, and, behold, it be not in sight deeper than the skin, and that there is no black hair in it; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague of the scall seven days:
32And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the plague: and, behold, if the scall spread not, and there be in it no yellow hair, and the scall be not in sight deeper than the skin;
Leviticus 13:33-40
33–40: He shall be shaven, but the scall shall he not shave; and the priest…
Leviticus 13:33–40 opens with “He shall be shaven, but the scall shall he not shave; and the priest shall shut up him that hath…” and reaches “And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 13 develops its own movement around priest, plague, skin, leprosy, unclean, with particular weight carried by scall, priest, skin.
Context that brings the passage to life
“He shall be shaven, but the scall shall he not shave; and the priest shall shut up him that hath the scall seven days…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“But if the scall spread much in the skin after his cleansing;” The line’s distinctive content terms include cleansing, scall, skin. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.
“But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall is healed, he is…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Leviticus 13:33-40
King James Version33He shall be shaven, but the scall shall he not shave; and the priest shall shut up him that hath the scall seven days more:
34And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the scall: and, behold, if the scall be not spread in the skin, nor be in sight deeper than the skin; then the priest shall pronounce him clean: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
35But if the scall spread much in the skin after his cleansing;
36Then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean.
37But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
38If a man also or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, even white bright spots;
39Then 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.
40And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean.
Leviticus 13:41-48
41–48: He that hath his hair fallen off from the part of his head toward his…
Leviticus 13:41–48 opens with “And he that hath his hair fallen off from the part of his head toward his face, he is forehead…” and reaches “Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 13 develops its own movement around priest, plague, skin, leprosy, unclean, with particular weight carried by bald, head, unclean.
Context that brings the passage to life
“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.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bald, clean, face. Its relationship to verses 42 shows what work it does in this passage.
“Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Leviticus 13:41-48
King James Version41And he that hath his hair fallen off from the part of his head toward his face, he is forehead bald: yet is he clean.
42And 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.
43Then 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;
44He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head.
45And 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.
46All 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.
47The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment;
48Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin;
Leviticus 13:49-56
49–56: If the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin…
Leviticus 13:49–56 opens with “And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or…” and reaches “And if the priest look, and, behold, the plague be somewhat dark after the washing of it; then…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 13 develops its own movement around priest, plague, skin, leprosy, unclean, with particular weight carried by plague, skin, priest.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And if the priest shall look, and, behold, the plague be not spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Leviticus 13:49-56
King James Version49And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be shewed unto the priest:
50And the priest shall look upon the plague, and shut up it that hath the plague seven days:
51And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean.
52He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woollen or in linen, or any thing of skin, wherein the plague is: for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire.
53And 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;
54Then the priest shall command that they wash the thing wherein the plague is, and he shall shut it up seven days more:
55And 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.
56And 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:
Leviticus 13:57-59
57–59: If it appear still in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof…
Leviticus 13:57–59 opens with “And if it appear still in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of…” and reaches “This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 13 develops its own movement around priest, plague, skin, leprosy, unclean, with particular weight carried by plague, garment, thing.
Context that brings the passage to life
“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…” The line’s distinctive content terms include plague, appear, burn. Its relationship to verses 58 shows what work it does in this passage.
Leviticus 13:57-59
King James Version57And 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.
58And the garment, either warp, or woof, or whatsoever thing of skin it be, which thou shalt wash, if the plague be departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean.
59This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Leviticus 13:1 begins with “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,”
Where the chapter turns
Leviticus 13:30 forms a natural hinge: “Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall…”
The final note
Leviticus 13:59 leaves the reader with “This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words priest, plague, skin, leprosy, unclean, white help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How does Abram pursue peace?
He names their kinship and offers a practical separation without insisting on first choice.
What can Lot see that Abram cannot yet possess?
Lot sees fertile land; Abram receives a promise of land and descendants still to come.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
- spake
- spoke
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.