Garments that harbor contamination require careful examination and potential removal to maintain purity.
Leviticus 13:47 addresses another aspect of ceremonial cleanliness within God’s law. This verse states, “When a garment has a mark of leprosy in it, whether it is a wool garment or a linen garment,” (v.47). In the broader context of Leviticus 13, the term “leprosy” can also refer to various skin conditions or even mold that might appear on garments. Wool would come from sheep, a commonly raised animal in ancient Israel’s agrarian society, and linen was often grown and processed nearby, making both garments abundant. Here, the mention of garments highlights how God’s concern for purity and holiness extended beyond human bodies to all that surrounded them, including the materials used for daily life.
The intention behind “When a garment has a mark of leprosy in it…” (v.47) was to prevent not just the spread of a physical disease, but also to illustrate the broader principle of keeping God’s people separate from anything defiling. If a garment was visibly contaminated, it could pose a threat to the physical well-being and ritual purity of the community, so the Israelites were required to examine and deal with those issues (Leviticus 13:50-52). In this way, the people’s external actions paralleled an internal need to be cleansed from sin or spiritual corruption. The faithful were called to think carefully about their daily lives, down to the clothing on their backs, which foreshadows how in the New Testament believers are likewise taught to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” rather than be defiled by sin (Romans 13:14).
Moreover, the emphasis in Leviticus on scrupulous attention even to garments underscores how holy God is. While the text does not mention a specific geographic location in this verse, we know that ancient Israel was primarily based in the land of Canaan during Moses’ leadership (circa 15th to 13th century BC). The community at that time was receiving direct instruction from God through Moses to maintain a distinct identity and purity among the nations. Later, Jesus, as the ultimate High Priest, brings spiritual cleansing (Hebrews 4:14-16) in every area of life, fulfilling the deep significance that these ceremonial laws pointed toward.
Set to dark mode
Leviticus 13:47 meaning
Leviticus 13:47 addresses another aspect of ceremonial cleanliness within God’s law. This verse states, “When a garment has a mark of leprosy in it, whether it is a wool garment or a linen garment,” (v.47). In the broader context of Leviticus 13, the term “leprosy” can also refer to various skin conditions or even mold that might appear on garments. Wool would come from sheep, a commonly raised animal in ancient Israel’s agrarian society, and linen was often grown and processed nearby, making both garments abundant. Here, the mention of garments highlights how God’s concern for purity and holiness extended beyond human bodies to all that surrounded them, including the materials used for daily life.
The intention behind “When a garment has a mark of leprosy in it…” (v.47) was to prevent not just the spread of a physical disease, but also to illustrate the broader principle of keeping God’s people separate from anything defiling. If a garment was visibly contaminated, it could pose a threat to the physical well-being and ritual purity of the community, so the Israelites were required to examine and deal with those issues (Leviticus 13:50-52). In this way, the people’s external actions paralleled an internal need to be cleansed from sin or spiritual corruption. The faithful were called to think carefully about their daily lives, down to the clothing on their backs, which foreshadows how in the New Testament believers are likewise taught to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” rather than be defiled by sin (Romans 13:14).
Moreover, the emphasis in Leviticus on scrupulous attention even to garments underscores how holy God is. While the text does not mention a specific geographic location in this verse, we know that ancient Israel was primarily based in the land of Canaan during Moses’ leadership (circa 15th to 13th century BC). The community at that time was receiving direct instruction from God through Moses to maintain a distinct identity and purity among the nations. Later, Jesus, as the ultimate High Priest, brings spiritual cleansing (Hebrews 4:14-16) in every area of life, fulfilling the deep significance that these ceremonial laws pointed toward.