Leviticus 13:40
Leviticus 13:40 in Multiple Translations
Now if a man loses his hair and is bald, he is still clean.
And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean.
And if a man’s hair be fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean.
And if a man's hair has come out and he has no hair, still he is clean.
If a man loses his hair and goes bald, he is still clean.
And the man whose heare is fallen off his head, and is balde, is cleane.
'And when a man's head [is] polished, he [is] bald, he [is] clean;
“If a man’s hair has fallen from his head, he is bald. He is clean.
And the man whose hair hath fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean.
The man whose hair falleth off from his head, he is bald and clean:
‘If a man loses the hair on any part of his head, he does not need to stay away from other people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 13:40
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 13:40 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אִ֕ישׁ
כִּ֥י
יִמָּרֵ֖ט
רֹאשׁ֑/וֹ
קֵרֵ֥חַ
ה֖וּא
טָה֥וֹר
הֽוּא
וְ/אִ֕ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
Conj | N-ms
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יִמָּרֵ֖ט
mâraṭ
H4803
to smooth
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
רֹאשׁ֑/וֹ
rôʼsh
H7218
head
N-ms | Suff
קֵרֵ֥חַ
qêrêach
H7142
bald
Adj
ה֖וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
טָה֥וֹר
ṭâhôwr
H2889
pure
Adj
הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 13:40
וְ/אִ֕ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יִמָּרֵ֖ט
mâraṭ
H4803
"to smooth"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
To smooth or polish something, like making a surface shiny or bald. It can also mean to sharpen or gall something. In the Bible, it's used to describe someone's head being bald or their shoulder being rough.
Definition: 1) to bare, polish, make smooth or bald or bare 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to make bare 1a2) to scour, polish 1b) (Niphal) to be made bald
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: bright, furbish, (have his) hair (be) fallen off, peeled, pluck off (hair). See also: Leviticus 13:40; Isaiah 50:6; Ezekiel 29:18.
רֹאשׁ֑/וֹ
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
קֵרֵ֥חַ
qêrêach
H7142
"bald"
Adj
Bald, specifically on the back of the head, a condition described in Leviticus as a possible result of disease or aging.
Definition: bald
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: bald (head). See also: Leviticus 13:40; 2 Kings 2:23.
ה֖וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
טָה֥וֹר
ṭâhôwr
H2889
"pure"
Adj
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Definition: 1) pure, clean 1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals) 1b) pure (physically) 1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: clean, fair, pure(-ness). See also: Genesis 7:2; Leviticus 13:40; Psalms 12:7.
הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
Study Notes — Leviticus 13:40
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 13:40 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 13:40
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 13:40
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 13:40
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 13:40
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 13:40
- Sermons on Leviticus 13:40
Context — Laws about Skin Diseases
38When a man or a woman has white spots on the skin,
39the priest shall examine them, and if the spots are dull white, it is a harmless rash that has broken out on the skin; the person is clean.
40Now if a man loses his hair and is bald, he is still clean.
41Or if his hairline recedes and he is bald on his forehead, he is still clean. 42But if there is a reddish-white sore on the bald head or forehead, it is an infectious disease breaking out on it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galatians 4:13 | You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. |
| 2 | Romans 8:10 | But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. |
| 3 | Song of Solomon 5:11 | His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven. |
| 4 | Isaiah 15:2 | Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. |
| 5 | Amos 8:10 | I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day. |
| 6 | Romans 6:12 | Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. |
| 7 | Romans 6:19 | I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. |
| 8 | 2 Kings 2:23 | From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” |
| 9 | Leviticus 13:41 | Or if his hairline recedes and he is bald on his forehead, he is still clean. |
Leviticus 13:40 Summary
[This verse, Leviticus 13:40, reminds us that our physical appearance or health does not determine our worth or cleanliness before God, as also seen in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 where God chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong. Being 'clean' in the Bible means being ritually pure and acceptable to God, and this verse shows that baldness does not affect a person's ritual purity, similar to the concept in Romans 14:17 where the kingdom of God is about righteousness and peace and joy. This verse teaches us to look beyond outward appearances and focus on the heart, as God does, according to 1 Samuel 16:7.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be 'clean' in the context of Leviticus 13:40?
To be 'clean' means to be ritually pure and acceptable to God, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45, where God commands the Israelites to be holy because He is holy.
Is baldness a sign of uncleanness or sin in the Bible?
No, according to Leviticus 13:40, baldness itself is not a sign of uncleanness or sin, but rather a natural condition that does not affect a person's ritual purity, as also seen in Leviticus 21:18 where baldness is listed as a physical condition that does not disqualify a priest from serving.
How does this verse relate to modern understandings of health and hygiene?
While the Bible does not address modern medical concerns directly, Leviticus 13:40 reminds us that our worth and cleanliness before God are not determined by our physical appearance or health, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7 where God looks at the heart, not outward appearance.
What is the significance of the priest's examination in this context?
The priest's examination, as mentioned in Leviticus 13:40, serves as a means of determining ritual purity, emphasizing the importance of spiritual leaders in helping the community discern God's standards, similar to the role of priests in Exodus 4:14 and Numbers 5:2-3.
Reflection Questions
- How do I view those who are different from me, whether in physical appearance or ability, in light of Leviticus 13:40?
- What are some ways I can apply the principle of not judging others based on outward appearance, as hinted at in this verse?
- In what ways can I cultivate a sense of self-worth that is rooted in my identity as a child of God, rather than my physical appearance or health?
- How can I balance the need for physical and emotional care with the spiritual truth that my value and cleanliness come from God, as seen in Psalm 139:13-14?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 13:40
And the man whose hair is fallen off his head,.... That is, from the back part of his head, from the crown of his head toward his neck behind: he [is] bald; in that spot of the head where the hair is
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 13:40
And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean. Bald ... forehead bald.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 13:40
(40) And the man whose hair is fallen off—Better, And if a man loseth the hair of his head. The sixth and last case, discussed in Leviticus 13:40-44, is leprosy either at the back or in the front of the head. Though baldness in itself was regarded as a disgrace, and often looked upon as a Divine punishment (2 Kings 2:23; Isaiah 3:17; Jeremiah 48:37), yet the simple fact of the mere falling of the hair is not to be taken as a sign of leprosy. He is bald; yet is he clean.—Better, if he is backhead bald, he is clean. The baldness mentioned in the first part of the verse in general terms is now more minutely specified as consisting of two kinds of baldness. Leviticus 13:41-42 distinctly show that the word (kçrçach), here translated simply “bald” in the Authorised Version, denotes a person who has lost hair from the crown of his head downwards towards the channel of his neck, as the administrators of the law during the second Temple rightly define it, in contradistinction to the fore baldness which immediately follows.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 13:40
Baldness in the back or front part of the head (40–44) This is not in itself a sign of uncleanness, but if in either part a reddish white plague (white reddish sore A. V.) appears, he must be seen by the priest. The word ‘bald’ in Leviticus 13:40 means bald at the back of the head, as distinguished from forehead bald in Leviticus 13:41.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 13:40
40. Bald… yet… clean — Literally, hind bald. Natural baldness was so uncommon among the Israelites that it subjected men to an unpleasant suspicion and public derision.
Sermons on Leviticus 13:40
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ministry in the Spirit, 8. Healing, an Introduction by Michael Flowers | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of healing and the desire for all believers to be healed. They mention that not all are healed, using the example of Paul's eye affl |
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A Farewell Sermon by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards delivers a farewell sermon at the First Church in Northampton, MA, emphasizing the accountability of ministers and their congregations before Christ's tribunal on |
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Faith Healing by Daniel Steele | Daniel Steele preaches about the earnest effort to restore the lost extraordinary gifts of the Spirit in modern Christianity, focusing on healing by faith and the distinction betwe |
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Cost of Discipleship - Part 12 by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the speaker explains that when we open our hearts to receive Jesus Christ, we close the gap between us and God. Through faith, we can connect with God and receive H |
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Christ's Indwelling by Stephen Olford | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of sanctifying the Lord God in one's heart. He urges the audience to give Christ complete lordship over their lives. The speak |
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Romans 7 - Bitter Tears by F.J. Huegel | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the theme of Romans 7, which he refers to as an Everest. He explains that the Apostle Paul presents a moral giant facing the demands of the l |
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Songs That David Couldn't Sing by Sandeep Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of having a deep, intimate relationship with God, focusing on being engaged to Jesus as the bridegroom. It explores the concept of singing son |