13:47–52 With these verses, the text shifts from impurity in food and animals to impurity in garments. The same symptoms occur in clothing as occur in humans, and the same responses of examination and confinement are prescribed. The result is either cleansing or destruction. NIV translates the contamination as mildew. Some kind of fungal condition does seem to be at issue; mold would be an alternate description.

The types of garment are wool, linen, and leather. Wool was a valuable product in OT times. The text further distinguishes the garments of wool and linen according to whether they are woven or knitted material. Leather refers to things made from animal hide or skin. The garment symptom in question is discoloration. If the relevant area is greenish or reddish, it is spreading, and a …