Old Testament
Leviticus 13:9
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
Leviticus 13:9 addresses the procedure for identifying and dealing with leprosy, a serious skin disease that was considered highly contagious and impure in ancient Israel.
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
When someone has a case of leprosy, they must be brought to the priest.
When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest;
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
Leviticus 13:9 addresses the procedure for identifying and dealing with leprosy, a serious skin disease that was considered highly contagious and impure in ancient Israel. The verse emphasizes the importance of bringing the afflicted person to a priest, who acted as a spiritual and health authority. The priest would examine the individual to determine the nature of the skin condition and decide if it was indeed leprosy. This process highlights the community's need for health and purity, as well as the role of the priest in maintaining these standards. The act of bringing someone to the priest also reflects a broader theme of seeking help and guidance from spiritual leaders in times of distress. This practice underscores the seriousness of the disease and the communal responsibility to ensure that individuals with such conditions are properly cared for and isolated if necessary, to prevent the spread of impurity within the community.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Leviticus 13:9 to your life
In our lives today, this verse reminds us of the importance of seeking help when facing difficult situations, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual. Just as the afflicted were brought to the priest, we should not hesitate to reach out to trusted leaders or professionals for support and guidance in our struggles.
Curated for this public verse page. Leviticus Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Leviticus 13:9 mean?
Leviticus 13:9 outlines the procedure for identifying leprosy, instructing that individuals suspected of having this serious skin disease must be brought to a priest for examination. This reflects the priest's role as a health authority in ancient Israel.
What is the significance of the priest in Leviticus 13:9?
In Leviticus 13:9, the priest serves as a crucial figure for assessing skin diseases like leprosy, determining whether the condition is indeed leprosy and advising on the next steps. This highlights the priest's authority in maintaining community health and purity.
What does leprosy represent in Leviticus 13:9?
In Leviticus 13:9, leprosy symbolizes not only a physical ailment but also spiritual impurity and social isolation. The verse emphasizes the need for communal responsibility in addressing such serious health issues.
How does Leviticus 13:9 apply to modern life?
Leviticus 13:9 encourages individuals to seek help from trusted leaders or professionals when facing difficult situations, whether they are health-related or personal struggles. It highlights the importance of community support and guidance.

The Book of Leviticus
Leviticus 1: The Burnt Offering
The LORD calls to Moses from the tabernacle and gives instructions for the burnt offering. A man who brings a burnt offering from the herd presents a male without blemish at the door of the tabernacle. He lays his hand on the head of the offering, kills it, and Aaron's sons the priests sprinkle the blood around the altar. The animal is flayed and cut into pieces, and the whole is burned on the altar as a sweet savor to the LORD.
Unlock the full Leviticus summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Leviticus — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 27 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Leviticus summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.