Leviticus 13:32
On the seventh day the priest is to reexamine the infection, and if the scaly outbreak has not spread and there is no yellow hair in it, and it does not appear to be deeper than the skin,
On the seventh day
The seventh day is significant in biblical tradition, often symbolizing completion or perfection, as seen in the creation narrative (Genesis 2:2-3). In the context of Leviticus, the seventh day marks a period of waiting and observation, reflecting the importance of patience and thoroughness in the priestly duties.

the priest is to reexamine the infection
The role of the priest in ancient Israel extended beyond spiritual leadership to include duties akin to those of a health inspector. This reflects the integration of religious and communal life, where the priest served as a mediator between God and the people, ensuring both spiritual and physical purity.

and if the scaly outbreak has not spread
The concern with the spread of the infection highlights the communal aspect of health in Israelite society. Contagious diseases could threaten the entire community, and thus, careful monitoring was essential. This also underscores the biblical principle of vigilance against sin, which can spread and affect the community if not addressed.

and there is no yellow hair in it
Yellow hair in the context of skin diseases was considered a sign of impurity or infection. Hair color changes could indicate a deeper issue, much like sin, which can manifest in outward signs. This detail emphasizes the need for discernment in distinguishing between superficial and serious issues.

and it does not appear to be deeper than the skin
The depth of the infection is crucial in determining its severity. A surface-level issue might be manageable, while a deeper problem could signify a more serious condition. This can be paralleled with spiritual teachings, where surface-level sins might be addressed more easily, but deeper, more ingrained sins require greater intervention and repentance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Priest
The priest serves as the examiner and mediator in matters of ceremonial cleanliness, reflecting the role of spiritual leadership in maintaining community purity.

2. Infection/Scab
Represents a potential impurity or disease that requires careful examination, symbolizing sin or spiritual impurity that needs to be addressed.

3. Seventh Day
A significant time frame in biblical terms, often associated with completion and rest, indicating a period of waiting and examination.

4. Yellow Hair
A specific sign the priest looks for, indicating a deeper issue, symbolizing discernment in identifying underlying spiritual problems.

5. Skin
The outer layer, representing the visible aspect of a person’s life, which can sometimes hide deeper issues.
Teaching Points
The Role of Spiritual Leadership
Just as the priest examines physical impurities, spiritual leaders today are called to guide and help discern spiritual issues within the community.

The Importance of Discernment
The detailed examination process teaches us the importance of discernment in identifying and addressing sin in our lives.

Waiting and Patience in Spiritual Matters
The seven-day waiting period highlights the need for patience and thoroughness in spiritual growth and healing.

Visible vs. Hidden Issues
The focus on the skin and deeper issues reminds us to look beyond the surface in our spiritual lives and address root causes of sin.

Restoration and Reconciliation
The ultimate goal of examination and cleansing is restoration, both with God and within the community, pointing to the redemptive work of Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the priest in Leviticus 13:32 reflect the responsibilities of spiritual leaders today?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of discernment from this passage to our daily lives?

3. How does the concept of waiting and examination in this passage relate to our spiritual growth and healing processes?

4. What are some "yellow hairs" or signs in our lives that might indicate deeper spiritual issues needing attention?

5. How does the cleansing process in Leviticus 13 point us to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 14
Discusses the cleansing process for skin diseases, showing the importance of restoration and reconciliation with God and the community.

Matthew 8:1-4
Jesus heals a leper, demonstrating His authority over physical and spiritual impurity and His role as the ultimate High Priest.

1 John 1:9
Emphasizes confession and cleansing from sin, paralleling the examination and purification process in Leviticus.
LeprosyJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 13:1-59
The Diagnosis of Sin as Illustrated in the LeprosyR.M. Edgar Leviticus 13:1-59
The Priest's AdjudicationJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 13:1-59
A Diseased NatureJ. Spencer.Leviticus 13:2-46
Avoidance of False SuspicionBp. Babington.Leviticus 13:2-46
Discipline in the ChurchA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 13:2-46
Disease and SinJ. Cumming, D. D.Leviticus 13:2-46
If the Plague be Turned into WhiteA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 13:2-46
LeprosyJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 13:2-46
Leprosy and Six HereditaryJ. W. Bardsley.Leviticus 13:2-46
Leprosy, a Special Type of SinS. H. Kellogg, D. D.Leviticus 13:2-46
Leprous Outcasts in EnglandLeviticus 13:2-46
Ministers Must Seek to Produce Conviction of SinLeviticus 13:2-46
Sin as a DiseaseA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 13:2-46
Sin May be Invisible to Human EyesBiblical TreasuryLeviticus 13:2-46
Sinners Ought to be Willing to Know Their True StateSword and Trowel.Leviticus 13:2-46
The Cleansing of the LeperSpurgeon, Charles HaddonLeviticus 13:2-46
The Difficulty of Knowing Aright One's True Spiritual StateSword and Trowel.Leviticus 13:2-46
The Gospel of the LeprosyS. Mather.Leviticus 13:2-46
The Importance of Attending to the Disease of SinH. W. Beecher.Leviticus 13:2-46
The Leper DiseasedJ. C. Philpot.Leviticus 13:2-46
The Power of One SinLeviticus 13:2-46
The Separating Influences of SinJ. W. Bardsley, M. A.Leviticus 13:2-46
People
Aaron, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Appear, Appearance, Appears, Behold, Deep, Deeper, Disease, Examine, Grown, Hair, Hasn't, Increased, Infection, Isn't, Itch, Plague, Priest, Scale, Scall, Seem, Seventh, Shining, Sight, Skin, Sore, Spread, Spreadeth, Yellow, Yellowish
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 13:1-46

     5298   doctors

Leviticus 13:30-37

     5155   hair

Library
Journey to Jerusalem. Ten Lepers. Concerning the Kingdom.
(Borders of Samaria and Galilee.) ^C Luke XVII. 11-37. ^c 11 And it came to pass, as they were on their way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. [If our chronology is correct, Jesus passed northward from Ephraim about forty miles, crossing Samaria (here mentioned first), and coming to the border of Galilee. He then turned eastward along that border down the wady Bethshean which separates the two provinces, and crossed the Jordan into Peræa, where we soon
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Of the Character of the Unregenerate.
Ephes. ii. 1, 2. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. AMONG all the various trusts which men can repose in each other, hardly any appears to be more solemn and tremendous, than the direction of their sacred time, and especially of those hours which they spend in the exercise of public devotion.
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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