What does Leviticus 13:52 mean?
"He 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." - Leviticus 13:52

Leviticus 13:52 in the King James Version of the Bible states, "He 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." This verse is part of a larger passage in Leviticus which deals with the laws and regulations concerning leprosy and other skin diseases.
In biblical times, leprosy was a dreaded and highly stigmatized disease. Those who were afflicted with leprosy were considered unclean, and were required to live outside of the community, often in leper colonies. The laws and regulations surrounding leprosy were put in place to protect the community from the spread of the disease, and to maintain the cleanliness and holiness of the people of Israel.
The specific instructions in Leviticus 13:52 relate to dealing with items that have come into contact with a person suffering from leprosy. In this verse, it states that if a garment is found to have the "plague" of leprosy, it is to be burned in the fire. This is a drastic measure, but it served to prevent the spread of the disease and protect the health of the community.
From a symbolic and spiritual perspective, this verse can be interpreted in a number of ways. Firstly, the concept of burning the garment that has come into contact with leprosy can be seen as a form of purification. Fire is often associated with cleansing and purging impurities, and in this case, burning the garment removes any trace of the disease and prevents its spread.
Additionally, the act of burning the garment can be seen as a symbol of letting go of things that are contaminated or impure. In the spiritual sense, this can be seen as a call to remove anything from our lives that may be causing spiritual or moral contamination. Just as the Israelites were instructed to burn the affected garments, we are called to remove anything from our lives that may be causing spiritual disease or contamination.
Furthermore, the concept of leprosy itself can be seen as a metaphor for sin. In the Bible, leprosy is often used as a symbol of uncleanness and moral impurity. When we apply this metaphor to our own lives, we can see that just as leprosy had to be dealt with decisively and urgently, so too must we confront and deal with sin in our lives.
In the broader context of the book of Leviticus, this verse is part of the larger body of laws and regulations that were put in place to maintain the holiness and cleanliness of the people of Israel. The specific laws regarding leprosy served to protect the community and also to teach important spiritual principles.
In conclusion, Leviticus 13:52 provides a detailed insight into the laws and regulations surrounding leprosy in biblical times. From a spiritual perspective, it offers a rich array of symbols and metaphors that can be applied to our own lives. It serves as a reminder to confront and deal with sin decisively, to remove anything from our lives that may be causing spiritual contamination, and to seek purification and cleansing from impurity.
Have questions about Leviticus 13:52?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Leviticus 13:52 Artwork
Leviticus 13:52 - "He 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."
"He 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." - Leviticus 13:52
Leviticus 14:52 - "And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet:"
Acts 13:52 - "And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost."
Isaiah 52:13 - "¶ Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high."
Leviticus 25:52 - "And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubile, then he shall count with him, and according unto his years shall he give him again the price of his redemption."
"And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." - Acts 13:52
Jeremiah 52:13 - "And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire:"
"And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet:" - Leviticus 14:52
Leviticus 24:13 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Matthew 13:52 - "Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old."
Leviticus 21:13 - "And he shall take a wife in her virginity."
Leviticus 13:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,"
"¶ Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high." - Isaiah 52:13
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."
Leviticus 13:47 - "¶ The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment;"
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:"
"And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire:" - Jeremiah 52:13
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;"