What does Leviticus 13:47 mean?
"¶ The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment;" - Leviticus 13:47
Leviticus 13:47 (KJV) "The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment;"
The book of Leviticus is primarily concerned with the laws and rituals regarding purity and holiness. In chapter 13, the focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of various skin diseases, including leprosy. This verse addresses the potential contamination of garments with leprosy, and it signifies the importance of maintaining purity not only in one's physical body, but also in the material objects surrounding them.
In the context of the ancient Israelites, leprosy was not only a physical affliction but also a spiritual and social one. Those who were diagnosed with leprosy were considered unclean and were isolated from the community. This verse demonstrates the pervasive nature of the disease, as it could even infect inanimate objects such as garments.
The mention of "woollen garment" and "linen garment" is significant as it points to the everyday items that the Israelites used. These were not only clothing materials but were also utilized in the construction of the tabernacle, the holy dwelling place of God among the Israelites. The idea of leprosy contaminating these materials carries a symbolic weight, as it highlights the need for purity and holiness in all aspects of life, not just the physical body.
Furthermore, in the Bible, garments often symbolize a person's outward appearance and status. The presence of leprosy in the garments reflects the pervasive nature of sin and impurity in all aspects of a person's life. It serves as a reminder that one's spiritual condition and purity cannot be hidden or disguised, but will inevitably manifest in all areas of life.
In a broader sense, this verse also serves as a reminder of the contagious nature of sin and impurity. Just as leprosy could spread to garments, sin can infect and taint every aspect of a person's life if left unchecked. It emphasizes the idea that purity and holiness must be upheld in all areas of life, including the material possessions one interacts with.
This verse also highlights the meticulous attention to detail in the laws of the Old Testament. The Israelites were given specific instructions for dealing with leprosy and other impurities, reflecting the importance of obedience and adherence to God's commands. It also speaks to the comprehensive nature of God's holiness and his desire for his people to reflect that holiness in every aspect of their lives.
Overall, Leviticus 13:47 serves as a reminder of the pervasive nature of impurity and sin, and the need for vigilance in maintaining purity and holiness. It challenges readers to consider the state of their own hearts and lives, and to recognize the need for constant vigilance and adherence to God's standards of purity. It also points to the redemptive work of Christ, who cleanses and purifies us from all impurity, both inward and outward. As Christians, we are called to uphold the principles of purity and holiness in all aspects of our lives, reflecting the transformative power of God's grace.
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Leviticus 13:47 - "¶ The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment;"
"¶ The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment;" - Leviticus 13:47
Leviticus 11:47 - "To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten."
Leviticus 14:47 - "And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes."
Leviticus 25:47 - "¶ And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family:"
Matthew 13:47 - "¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:"
Genesis 47:13 - "¶ And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine."
"To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten." - Leviticus 11:47
Acts 13:47 - "For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth."
Ezekiel 47:13 - "¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions."
Leviticus 24:13 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
"And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes." - Leviticus 14:47
Leviticus 21:13 - "And he shall take a wife in her virginity."
Leviticus 13:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,"
Isaiah 47:13 - "Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee."
Leviticus 13:35 - "But if the scall spread much in the skin after his cleansing;"
Leviticus 13:29 - "¶ If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;"
Leviticus 13:18 - "¶ The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed,"
Leviticus 13:14 - "But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean."
"¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:" - Matthew 13:47
Leviticus 13:9 - "¶ When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest;"
Leviticus 13:22 - "And if it spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague."
Leviticus 25:13 - "In the year of this jubile ye shall return every man unto his possession."
Leviticus 6:13 - "The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out."
Leviticus 13:19 - "And 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;"
Leviticus 13:48 - "Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin;"
Leviticus 13:50 - "And the priest shall look upon the plague, and shut up it that hath the plague seven days:"
Leviticus 13:13 - "Then 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."
Leviticus 27:13 - "But if he will at all redeem it, then he shall add a fifth part thereof unto thy estimation."
Leviticus 13:38 - "¶ If a man also or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, even white bright spots;"