Leviticus 13:31

French OST (Ostervald)

Mais si le sacrificateur, regardant la plaie de la teigne, voit que son apparence n'est pas plus profonde que la peau, et qu'il n'y a point de poil noir, le sacrificateur enfermera pendant sept jours celui qui a la plaie de la teigne.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Leviticus describes a situation where a priest examines a skin condition called 'scall.' If the condition is not deep in the skin and has no black hair, the priest must observe the person for seven days. The priest is the one making the judgment here.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a small spot on your arm. Your doctor looks at it and says, 'Hmm, let's wait and see if it gets bigger or changes over a week.' That's what this verse is talking about, but with a priest instead of a doctor.

Historical Background

Leviticus was written by Moses around 1446-1406 BC. It was given to the Israelites as part of God's instructions on how to live holy lives. This passage deals with skin conditions that might make someone 'unclean' and how to properly assess them.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, we can see this as an example of how careful observation and patience are important. Just like the priest had to wait to see if the condition changed, sometimes we need to take time to understand a situation fully before making a decision.

Topics

• uncleanliness
• priestly duties
• judgment
• waiting
• skin conditions
• ritual purity

Related Verses

• Leviticus 14:2
• Leviticus 13:29
• Numbers 5:2
• Mark 1:40-42
• Luke 5:12-13

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the priest need to wait seven days?

The priest needed to observe the condition for seven days to determine if it changed or progressed, which would help in making a proper judgment about the person's state of cleanliness.

What does 'scall' refer to in this context?

'Scall' refers to a specific type of skin condition that could indicate uncleanness. The exact nature of the condition is not fully understood today, but it was significant in terms of the Israelites' ritual purity laws.

How does this apply to us today?

While we don't follow the same purity laws today, this passage can teach us about the importance of careful observation and patience when evaluating a situation or condition.

What if the condition worsened after seven days?

If the condition worsened, the person would be declared unclean according to the instructions given in Leviticus. This would affect their participation in religious and communal life until they were declared clean again.