Leviticus 13:29-37

What changes when the affected area is the head or chin?

Berean Standard Bible

29 If a man or woman has an infection on the head or chin, 30 the priest shall examine the infection, and if it appears to be deeper than the skin and the hair in it is yellow and thin, the priest must pronounce him unclean; it is a scaly outbreak, an infectious disease of the head or chin. 31 But if the priest examines the scaly infection and it does not appear to be deeper than the skin, and there is no black hair in it, the priest shall isolate the infected person for seven days. 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, 33 then the person must shave himself except for the scaly area. Then the priest shall isolate him for another seven days. 34 On the seventh day the priest shall examine the scaly outbreak, and if it has not spread on the skin and does not appear to be deeper than the skin, the priest is to pronounce him clean. He must wash his clothes, and he will be clean. 35 If, however, the scaly outbreak spreads further on the skin after his cleansing, 36 the priest is to examine him, and if the scaly outbreak has spread on the skin, the priest need not look for yellow hair; the person is unclean. 37 If, however, in his sight the scaly outbreak is unchanged and black hair has grown in it, then it has healed. He is clean, and the priest is to pronounce him clean.

What is the context?

For a man or woman with an affected head or chin, the priest applies criteria specific to that area, including hair characteristics. Suspected cases involve waiting, shaving around the area, and further inspection.

A continuing stable condition with black hair returning is distinguished from spreading. The instructions again end with an accountable pronouncement by the priest, rather than an unrestricted personal preference about who may return.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley recognizes that the hair sign differs from the earlier body-skin cases. The passage’s concern is not to rank people by hair color but to apply the signs in this particular examination. Modern names proposed for the condition remain proposed identifications, not part of the text.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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