Big Idea: God is associated with life and wholeness.

Understanding the Text

Leviticus 13–14 continues the section of Leviticus on ceremonial uncleanness (Lev. 11–15). Unclean animals (Lev. 11) and uncleanness due to childbirth (Lev. 12) have been discussed, and discussion of uncleanness due to sexual emissions follows (Lev. 15). The present chapter concentrates on the identification of skin conditions (loosely, “leprosy”) that render a person unclean as well as the identification of similar-looking molds or mildews on garments that also convey uncleanness. The next chapter will speak of their cleansing.

Historical and Cultural Background

These rules about leprosy became embedded in Israel’s culture. The rabbinic laws of the Mishnah devote a whole section, Nega‘im (lit., “plagues,” refe…