Leviticus 13:11 — Word Study
WLCצָרַ֨עַת נוֹשֶׁ֤נֶת הִוא֙ בְּע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֔וֹ וְטִמְּא֖וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֑ן לֹ֣א יַסְגִּרֶ֔נּוּ כִּ֥י טָמֵ֖א הֽוּא׃
BSAithûwʼ is a chronicyâshên [old] skin diseasetsâraʻath [leprosy] and the priestkôhên [the spiritual leader] must pronounce him uncleanṭâmêʼ [ceremonially impure] He need notlôʼ isolate himçâgar▸ [shut up] forkîy [because] hehûwʼ is uncleanṭâmêʼ [already, evidently, spiritually defiled]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| צָרַ֨עַת | [is] a serious skin disease | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| נוֹשֶׁ֤נֶת | grown old | Verb, Niphal, participle (active) feminine singular |
| הִוא֙ | it | Pronoun |
| בְּע֣וֹר | in [the] skin of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| בְּשָׂר֔וֹ | flesh his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְטִמְּא֖וֹ | and he will declare unclean him | Verb piel sequential perfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| הַכֹּהֵ֑ן | the priest | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לֹ֣א | not | Particle |
| יַסְגִּרֶ֔נּוּ | he will shut up him | Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| כִּ֥י | for | Particle |
| טָמֵ֖א | [is] unclean | Adj |
| הֽוּא׃ | he | Pronoun |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | it is a chronic skin disease and the priest must pronounce him unclean. He need not isolate him, for he is unclean. |
| KJV | It is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up: for he is unclean. |
| ASV | it is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean: he shall not shut him up; for he is unclean. |
| YLT | an old leprosy it [is] in the skin of his flesh, and the priest hath pronounced him unclean; he doth not shut him up, for he [is] unclean. |
| WEB | it is a chronic leprosy in the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He shall not isolate him, for he is already unclean. |
| BBE | It is an old disease in the skin of his flesh, and the priest will say that he is unclean; he will not have to be shut up, for he is clearly unclean. |
Where they part company is טָמֵ֖א — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by several subordinate phrases, detailing the priest's responsibilities and the condition of the individual.





6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
subjectהִיא
verbיָשֵׁן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Leviticus 13:11
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Laws Concerning Skin Diseasesgenerated
Leviticus 13:11 describes a serious skin condition known as leprosy, which is a chronic disease. The priest is responsible for declaring the individual unclean and does not need to isolate them, as they are already considered unclean. This reflects the broader context of purity laws in Leviticus, where the priest plays a crucial role in maintaining community health and spiritual cleanliness.
Cross References
The Key Word — צָרַ֨עַת, tza.Ra.'atgenerated
The noun צָרַ֨עַת (tza.Ra.'at) refers specifically to a serious skin disease, commonly understood as leprosy. It appears in the context of Leviticus 13-14, where guidelines for diagnosing and treating this condition are provided. The term can also denote mildew in clothing and buildings, indicating a broader understanding of impurity.
The root of צָרַ֨עַת connects to the idea of being stricken, emphasizing its serious nature. In biblical texts, leprosy often symbolizes sin and spiritual uncleanness, highlighting the importance of purity in the community.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB uses chronic skin disease and unclean, which aligns with the KJV and ASV.
Where the translations differ is in the rendering of טָמֵ֖א — the word for 'unclean'. The BSB and WEB include already, while the DRA uses evidently.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The sentence is structured around the main clause, with the finite verb טִמְּא֖וֹ (he will declare unclean) as the focal point. This is followed by a noun phrase describing the subject, and several clauses that elaborate on the conditions of the skin disease and the priest's actions.
The Hebrew word order emphasizes the declaration of uncleanness, with the subject and predicate clearly defined. The structure highlights the priest's authority in matters of ceremonial purity.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates צָרַ֨עַת as λέπρα (leprosy), which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning but may carry a broader connotation in Greek. This choice indicates an understanding of the disease as something severe and socially isolating.
The Greek word ἱερεὺς (priest) is used in the Septuagint, reflecting the same role as in the Hebrew text, emphasizing the priest's responsibility in declaring someone unclean.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Leviticus 13:11 explains that a chronic skin disease, referred to as leprosy, is diagnosed by the priest, who must declare the person unclean. The individual does not need to be isolated, as they are already considered unclean.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The priest's declaration of uncleanliness signifies that the person is ceremonially impure, which affects their participation in community worship and rituals.
Identifying chronic skin diseases is crucial for maintaining the health and purity of the community, as these conditions could spread and affect others.
Being declared unclean means the individual is set apart from the community and must follow specific guidelines until they are declared clean again.
Chronic skin diseases are often seen as symbols of sin and spiritual impurity, highlighting the need for cleansing and restoration in one's relationship with God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can understanding the laws of purity in Leviticus help us today?
- In what ways do we see the concept of uncleanness reflected in our lives or communities?
- What steps can we take to ensure we are spiritually clean in our own lives?
- How does the role of the priest in this context inform our understanding of leadership in spiritual matters?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Leviticus 13:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIt [is] an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh,.... An inveterate one, of long standing and continuance, an obstinate one, not to be cured by medicine; as this sort of leprosy was, and therefore the
Read John Gill on Leviticus 13 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the rising be white in the skin, and it have turned the hair white, and there be quick raw flesh in the rising; If the rising be white.
Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 13 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsLeviticus 13:11 It [is] an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up: for he [is] unclean.Ver. 11. It is an old leprosy.] So habituated sinners, that are crooked and aged with good opinions of themselves, these are seldom or never set straight again.
Read John Trapp on Leviticus 13 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(11) It is an old leprosy.—Either of these symptoms showed that it was the re-appearance of the old distemper, and rendered quarantine needless. The priest is, therefore, to pronounce him unclean at once.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Leviticus 13 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges9–17. The first part of this section is obscure; most modern commentators explain Leviticus 13:9-11 as referring to another form of leprosy in which the rising described in Leviticus 13:10 appears without any of the premonitory symptoms of Lev 13:2; if in addition to the white hair (already mentioned in Leviticus 13:3) there is ‘quick raw flesh’ (Leviticus 13:10) in the rising, this is a sure sign of leprosy, and the man must be declared unclean at once without waiting for any further examination. By ‘quick raw flesh’ (Heb. ‘the rawness of raw flesh,’ or lit. ‘the quickness of quick flesh’) is understood an appearance like that of raw meat. The Heb. words for ‘raw flesh’ [bâsâr ḥ ?ay] are…
Read Cambridge on Leviticus 13 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible10-12. The rising — This was a decisive indication when it was white and accompanied by white hair and raw flesh in the swelling.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Leviticus 13 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
it is a chronic skin disease and the priest must pronounce him unclean. He need not isolate him, for he is unclean.
it is a chronic leprosy in the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He shall not isolate him, for he is already unclean.
it is a chronic skin disease and the priest must pronounce him unclean. He need not isolate him, for he is unclean.
it is a chronic disease on the skin of his body, so the priest is to pronounce him unclean. The priest must not merely quarantine him, for he is unclean.
Tyndale line
It is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up: for he is unclean.
it is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean: he shall not shut him up; for he is unclean.
it is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean: he shall not shut him up; for he is unclean.
It is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up; for he is unclean.
It is an old leprosie in the skin of his flesh: and the Priest shall pronounce him vncleane, and shall not shut him vp, for he is vncleane.
Strictly literal
it is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh; and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and he shall not shut him up, for he is unclean.
an old leprosy it [is] in the skin of his flesh, and the priest hath pronounced him unclean; he doth not shut him up, for he [is] unclean.
it [is] an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest has pronounced him unclean; he does not shut him up, for he [is] unclean.
It is an inveterate leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean; he shall not shut him up, for he is unclean.
If there is, then it is a chronic skin disease, and the priest must pronounce him unclean. He will not isolate him, because he is already unclean.
From the Latin
It shall be judged an inveterate leprosy, and grown into the skin. The priest therefore shall declare him unclean, and shall not shut him up, because he is evidently unclean.
Simplified
it is a serious skin disease and the priest must declare them unclean. He doesn't need to place the person in isolation because they are unclean.
It is an old disease in the skin of his flesh, and the priest will say that he is unclean; he will not have to be shut up, for he is clearly unclean.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Pentateuch agree on most words, though the Samaritan version uses הִיא (she) instead of הִוא (it) and יסגירנו (close) instead of יַסְגִּרֶ֔נּוּ (he will shut up him). This indicates a slight variation in the understanding of the subject.
צָרַ֨עַת נוֹשֶׁ֤נֶת הִוא֙ בְּע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֔וֹ וְטִמְּא֖וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֑ן לֹ֣א יַסְגִּרֶ֔נּוּ כִּ֥י טָמֵ֖א הֽוּא׃
11 of the 12 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
צרעת נושׁנת היא בעור בשׂרו וטמאו הכהן לא יסגירנו כי טמא הוא
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: היא (she), יסגירנו (close)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Leviticus 13:11
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
צָרַ֫עַת (tsara`ath) means leprosy, referring to a malignant skin disease in people, as well as mildew or mold in clothing and buildings. It is derived from the root word for 'to be stricken' and appears in contexts related to purity laws in Leviticus.
צָרַ֫עַת 35 n.f. leprosy
base
H6883 צָרַ֫עַת leprosy
6883 tsara`ath tsaw-rah'-ath
from 6879; leprosy:--leprosy.
see HEBREW for 06879
צָרַ֫עַת (tsa.ra.at) — leprosy.
1) leprosy
1a) in people, malignant skin disease (Le 13:1-14:57)
1b) in clothing, a mildew or mould (Le 13:47-52)
1c) in buildings, a mildew or mould (Le 14:34-53)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
יָשֵׁן (yashen) means to sleep or to go to sleep, with implications of becoming inactive or stationary. It can also refer to causing someone to sleep or enticing them to sleep. The word may suggest growing old or becoming stale, and it is associated with remaining long or being stored up.
[יָשֵׁן] vb. sleep
Qal sleep, go to sleep, and be sleep
Niph. only in deriv. sense of become inactive or stationary
Pi. causat. she made him sleep
base
H3462 יָשֵׁן sleep .sleep, go to sleep, and be sleep
. only in deriv. sense of become inactive or stationary
. causat. she made him sleep
3462 yashen yaw-shane'
a primitive root; properly, to be slack or languid, i.e. (by
implication) sleep (figuratively, to die); also to grow old,
stale or inveterate: -old (store), remain long, (make to)
sleep.
יָשֵׁן (ya.shen) — to sleep.
1) to sleep, be asleep
1a) (Qal) to sleep, go to sleep, be asleep
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to remain a long time, be stored up
1b2) to be festering (of leprosy)
1c) (Piel) to cause to sleep, entice to sleep
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) feminine singularHVNrfsa
old.
See AGE, OLD.
הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.
הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it
an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
It resumes the subj. with emph.
Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
As an emph. predicate, of God
In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
base
H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
. It resumes the subj. with emph.
. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
. As an emph. predicate, of God
. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
1931 huw' hoo
of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a
primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or
it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also
(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;
sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally
(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),
it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,
this, those, which (is), who.
הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.
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)
Pron — PronounHPp3fs
עוֹר (owr) means skin or hide, specifically referring to the skin of humans and the hides of animals. It is derived from a root that implies nakedness. The term appears frequently in the Old Testament, with 55 occurrences related to human skin and 44 to animal hides.
עוֹר 99 n.m. skin
of men (55 t.)
hide of animals (44 t.)
base
H5785 עוֹר skin . of men (55 t.)
. hide of men (44 t.)
5785 `owr ore
from 5783; skin (as naked); by implication, hide,
leather:--hide, leather, skin.
see HEBREW for 05783
עוֹר (or) — skin.
1) skin, hide
1a) skin (of men)
1b) hide (of animals)
HR/Ncmsc — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
בָּשָׂר (basar) means 'flesh' and encompasses various meanings, including the physical body, kinship, and a euphemism for male genitalia. It can refer to humans, animals, and all living things, highlighting the frailty of man in relation to God. The entries consistently emphasize its bodily and relational aspects.
בָּשָׂר 266 n.m. flesh
of the body
flesh for the body itself
male organ of generation (euphemism)
flesh for kindred, blood-relations
man over against God as frail or erring
base
H1320 בָּשָׂר flesh . of the body
. flesh for the body itself
. male organ of generation (euphemism)
. flesh for kindred, blood-relations
. man over against God as frail or erring
1320 basar baw-sawr'
from 1319; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body,
person; also (by euphem.) the pudenda of a man:--body, (fat,
lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-)kind, + nakedness, self, skin.
see HEBREW for 01319
בָּשָׂר (ba.sar) — flesh.
1) flesh
1a) of the body
1a1) of humans
1a2) of animals
1b) the body itself
1c) male organ of generation (euphemism)
1d) kindred, blood-relations
1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God)
1f) all living things
1g) animals
1h) mankind
Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
HNcmsc/Sp3ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
טָמֵא (tame') is a Hebrew root meaning to be or become unclean, covering various contexts such as sexual, religious, and ceremonial impurity. The noun form, טָמְאָה (tam'ah), refers to uncleanness itself. The entries indicate that the word can be used reflexively to mean defiling oneself.
טָמֵא vb. be or become unclean
Qal be or become unclean
Niph. defile oneself, be defiled
Pi. defile
Pu. myself is not polluted
Hithp.—reflexive, defile oneself
Hothp. after that she has been defiled
base
טָמְאָה n.f. uncleanness Mi 2:10
ref
H2930a טָמֵא be or become unclean .be or become unclean
. defile oneself, be defiled
. defile
. myself is not pulluted
.—reflexive, defile oneself
. after that she has been defiled
H2930b טָמְאָה uncleanness
2930 tame' taw-may'
a primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or
moral sense (contaminated):--defile (self), pollute (self), be
(make, make self, pronounce) unclean, X utterly.
טָמֵא (ta.me) — to defile.
1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure
1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean
1a1) sexually
1a2) religiously
1a3) ceremonially
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled
1b1a) sexually
1b1b) by idolatry
1b1c) ceremonially
1b2) to be regarded as unclean
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to defile
1c1a) sexually
1c1b) religiously
1c1c) ceremonially
1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially)
1c3) to profane (God's name)
1d) (Pual) to be defiled
1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean
1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled
טָמְאָה (tam.ah) — uncleanness.
uncleanness
Conj | V-Piel-3ms | Suff — Verb piel sequential perfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vpq3ms/Sp3ms
כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and is derived from the active participle of a related root. It encompasses various types of priests, including Levitical, Aaronic, and even pagan priests, as well as chief rulers or principal officers. The term is used in contexts referring to both Jewish and non-Jewish priestly roles.
כֹּהֵן 750 n.m. priest
base
H3548 כֹּהֵן priest
3548 kohen ko-hane'
active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a
priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a
layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal
officer.
see HEBREW for 03547
כֹּהֵן (ko.hen) — priest.
1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler
1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah)
1b) pagan priests
1c) priests of Jehovah
1d) Levitical priests
1e) Zadokite priests
1f) Aaronic priests
1g) the high priest
Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
prest (kohen, "priest," "prince," "minister"; hiereus archiereus; for hiereus megas, of Heb 10:21, see Thayer's Lexicon, under the word hiereus:
I. NATURE OF THE PRIESTLY OFFICE
1. Implies Divine Choice
2. Implies Representation
3. Implies Offering Sacrifice
4. Implies Intercession
II. THE TWO GREAT PRIESTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, MELCHIZEDEK AND AARON
III. PRIESTLY FUNCTIONS AND CHARACTER
1. A Strictly Religious Order
2. Priestism Denied
3. The High Priest's Qualifications
4. Symbolism of Aaron's Rod
IV. CONSECRATION OF AARON AND HIS SONS (EXODUS 29; LEVITICUS 8)
1. Symbolism of Consecration
2. Type and Archetype
LITERATURE
A priest is one who is duly authorized to minister in sacred things, particularly to offer sacrifices at the altar, and who acts as mediator between men and God. In the New Testament the term is applied to priests of the Gentiles…
Priest
The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one who offers sacrifices.
At first every man was his own priest, and presented his own sacrifices before God. Afterwards that office devolved on the head of the family, as in the cases of Noah (Gen. 8:20), Abraham (12:7; 13:4), Isaac (26:25), Jacob (31:54), and Job (Job 1:5).
The name first occurs as applied to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18). Under the Levitical arrangements the office of the priesthood was limited to the tribe of Levi, and to only one family of that tribe, the family of Aaron. Certain laws respecting the qualifications of priests are given in Lev. 21:16-23. There are ordinances also regarding the…
The English word is derived from the Greek presbyter , signifying an "elder" (Heb. cohen). Origin. --The idea of a priesthood connects itself in all its forms, pure or corrupted, with the consciousness, more or less distinct of sin. Men feel that they have broken a law. The power above them is holier than they are, and they dare not approach it. They crave for the intervention of some one of whom they can think as likely to be more acceptable than themselves. He must offer up their prayers, thanksgivings, sacrifices. He becomes their representative in "things pertaining unto God." He may become also (though this does not always follow) the representative of God to man. The functions of the priest and prophet may exist in the same person. No trace of a hereditary or caste priesthood meets us in the worship of the patriarchal age. Once and once only does the word cohen meet us as…
One who officiated in the public worship of God, especially in making expiation for sin, being "ordained for men in things pertaining to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." In the Old Testament, the priesthood was not annexed to a certain family till after the promulgation of the law by Moses. Before that time, the firstborn of each family, the fathers, the princes, the kings, were priests in their own cities and in their own houses. Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Job, Abimelech and Laban, Isaac and Jacob offered personally their own sacrifices. In the solemnity of the covenant made by the Lord with his people, at the foot of Mount Sinai, Moses performed the office of mediator, and young men were chosen from among Israel to perform the office of priests, Ex 24:5. But after the Lord had chosen the tribe of Levi to…
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
סָגַר (sagar) means to shut or close, with various applications including shutting doors, closing up breaches, and imprisoning. It can also imply delivering someone up or surrendering. The verb appears in different forms, such as Qal (to shut), Niphal (to be shut up), and Piel (to deliver up). The term is associated with the concept of being tightly sealed or enclosed.
סָגַר vb. shut, close
Qal
shut door
close in upon
close up breach
Pt. pass., closed up = closely joined with tight seal
elsewhwere only Pt. pass. (gold shut up, and so prized, rare, fine?)
Niph.
subj. pers. be shut up
be shut, closed, of city gates
Pi. deliver up to (leave no other opening for one, shut one up to)
Pu.
of cities
of prisoners
of doors
Hiph.
deliver up to
shut up
base
H5462 סָגַר shut, close .. shut door
. . close in upon
. close up breach
. Pt. pass., closed up = closely joined with tight seal
. elsewhwere only Pt. pass. (gold shut up, and so prized, rare, fine?)
. . subj. pers. be shut up
. be shut, closed, of city gates
. deliver up to (leave no other opening for one, shut one up to)
. . of cities
. of prisoners
. of doors
. . deliver up to
. shut up
5462 cagar saw-gar'
a primitive root; to shut up; figuratively, to
surrender:--close up, deliver (up), give over (up), inclose,
X pure, repair, shut (in, self, out, up, up together), stop, X
straitly.
סָגַר (sa.gar) — to shut.
1) to shut, close
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to shut
1a2) to close, close up
1a3) closed up, closely joined, shut up
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be shut up
1b2) to be shut or closed
1c) (Piel) to shut up, deliver up
1d) (Pual) to be shut up
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to deliver up
1e2) to shut up, imprison
2) pure gold
Aramaic equivalent: se.gar (סְגַר "to shut" H5463)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVhi3ms/Sp3ms
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--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.
כִּי (ki) — for.
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
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
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)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
טָמֵא (tame') means 'unclean' and is derived from a root that conveys a sense of defilement or pollution, particularly in a religious context. It covers ethical, religious, and ritual impurity, and can refer to both people and places.
טָמֵא adj. unclean
base
H2931 טָמֵא unclean
2931 tame' taw-may'
from 2930; foul in a relig. sense:--defiled, + infamous,
polluted(-tion), unclean.
see HEBREW for 02930
טָמֵא (ta.me) — unclean.
1) unclean, impure
1a) ethically and religiously
1b) ritually
1c) of places
Adj — AdjHAamsa
See CLEAN.
→ (Ceremonially speaking)
Creatures designated as such Le 11; De 14
→ See UNCLEANNESS
הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.
הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it
an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
It resumes the subj. with emph.
Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
As an emph. predicate, of God
In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
base
H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)
. It resumes the subj. with emph.
. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible
. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject
. As an emph. predicate, of God
. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)
. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.
1931 huw' hoo
of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a
primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or
it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also
(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;
sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally
(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),
it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,
this, those, which (is), who.
הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.
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)
Pron — PronounHPp3ms
ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.
