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Book of Leviticus - Chapter 13 - Verse 14

13:14
But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.

Meaning

When raw flesh appears on a person, according to this verse, they are considered unclean. This declaration is found in the book of Leviticus in the Bible, which is a part of the Old Testament. In the context of the larger passage, these regulations were given to the Israelites by God through Moses to ensure their cleanliness and purity. The appearance of raw flesh on an individual was a sign of disease or infection, and in the ancient world, such conditions were not well understood and could easily spread to others. By labeling the person as unclean, they were to be isolated from the community to prevent the potential spread of illness. This practice served both a physical and spiritual purpose, as cleanliness and purity were highly valued in the religious practices of the Israelites. It is important to understand these verses in their historical and cultural context to appreciate their significance in the biblical narrative.

Theological Overview

Leviticus 13:14 discusses the appearance of raw flesh on a person, which is a sign of leprosy, an infectious skin disease that affects both the skin and nerves. In the theological interpretation of this verse, raw flesh symbolizes the uncleanliness and impurity of sin in the spiritual context. Just as the raw flesh makes the individual unclean physically, sin corrupts and defiles the soul, separating us from God's holiness and love. The need for separation and ritual cleansing in the Old Testament is a foreshadowing of the need for spiritual purification and forgiveness through Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Word studies on "raw flesh" in the original Hebrew text reveal the importance of recognizing sin in its early stages and being diligent in addressing it before it spreads and becomes unmanageable. The imagery in this verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance and seeking restoration with God.

American Standard Version

But whensoever raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.
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