Leviticus 13:17

Amharic Tigrinya 2011

እቲ ኻህን ድማ ይርኣዮ፡ እንሆ ኸኣ፡ እቲ ቑስሊ መሊሱ እንተ ጻዕደወ፡ ስዑ ኣቲ ኻህን እቲ ቑስሉ ንጹህ ምዃኑ ይንገር፡ ንሱ ንጹህ እዩ።

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Leviticus says that if a person with a skin condition has it turn white, the priest can declare them clean. The priest is the one who makes this decision, and it means the person is healthy and can rejoin the community.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a boo-boo that looks red and scabby, but then it turns white, like a scab falling off. The doctor (like the priest) says you're all better and can play with your friends again. That's what this verse is talking about!

Historical Background

The book of Leviticus was written by Moses around 1440-1400 BCE. It outlines laws and rituals for the Israelites, including how to deal with skin conditions that were considered unclean. The audience was the Israelite community, and the cultural setting was one where purity and cleanliness were central to religious practices.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this verse can remind us to seek expert advice when dealing with health issues. Just as a priest declared someone clean, today we rely on doctors to diagnose and clear us to resume normal activities.

Topics

• healing
• priesthood
• purity
• health
• judgment
• ceremony

Related Verses

• Leviticus 14:3
• Deuteronomy 24:8
• Matthew 8:2-4
• Mark 1:40-42
• Luke 5:12-14

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean if the 'plague' turns white?

In this context, if the skin condition (referred to as a 'plague') turns white, it signifies healing or the absence of the contagious state, allowing the person to be declared clean and return to normal community life.

Who was the priest in Leviticus 13:17?

The priest in Leviticus was a person appointed by God to oversee religious practices and rituals, including the declaration of health and cleanliness, ensuring that God's laws were followed.

How is this verse relevant to today's healthcare?

While the specifics of the priest's role are not applicable today, the principle of seeking expert guidance for health issues and being declared fit to return to regular activities is still relevant.

What does the verse teach about the role of judgment?

The verse illustrates the importance of an impartial judgment, in this case by a priest, to determine health and fitness for community interaction, reflecting a broader theme of fair judgment in the Bible.