Old Testament
Leviticus 13:9
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
When someone has a case of leprosy, they must be brought to the priest.
Compare translations
When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest;
What Leviticus 13:9 means
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.
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
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from David's story: Samuel Anoints David (1 Samuel 16:1–13)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
David
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724987). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Hebron, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Hebron
Where Abraham lived and buried Sarah, and where David was first made king.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Leviticus 13:9
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Leviticus 13:9
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Leviticus
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
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.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.